{"id":3032,"date":"2021-05-12T08:48:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T08:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=3032"},"modified":"2021-07-14T03:30:56","modified_gmt":"2021-07-14T03:30:56","slug":"mulch-types-advantages-and-disadvantages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/mulch-types-advantages-and-disadvantages\/","title":{"rendered":"Mulch Types | Advantages and Disadvantages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The advantages of soft mulches like straw, Lucerne and pea straw mulch is that they break down quickly and add nutrients to soil. Wood mulches like bark mulch or mixed tree mulch also have their advantages as they last longer, look great and keep moisture in the soil longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulch Type<\/strong><\/td>Advantages<\/strong><\/td>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/td>Where to use<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Bark Mulch<\/strong><\/td>Range of colors
Adds nutrients to soil
Stops weeds
Replace it less often<\/td>
Takes longer to break down so not great for vegetables
Will take up nitrogen if dug into the soil<\/td>
Under trees
Under shrubs
Flower beds
Between stepping stones
Paths<\/td><\/tr>
Tree Mulch<\/strong><\/td>Low cost
Turns to compost quickly
Stops weeds
Fertilizes soil
Improves soil microbe balance<\/td>
Takes longer to break down so not great for vegetables
Minimal color choice
Discolors quickly<\/td>
Mediterranean herbs
Annual flowers
Shrubs
Trees
Between stepping stones
Along paths<\/td><\/tr>
Grass clippings<\/strong><\/td>Free
Easy to collect
Contains nitrogen<\/td>
Can prevent rain from reaching soil if too thick
Can contain weed seeds<\/td>
Under large trees
Mixed with tree mulch & added to flower beds
Added to compost<\/td><\/tr>
Pea Straw<\/strong><\/td>Repairs soil
Adds nitrogen to soil
Holds moisture<\/td>
Browns quickly
Needs to be replaced often<\/td>
Vegetable gardens
Strawberries
Soil that needs improving<\/td><\/tr>
Lucerne<\/strong><\/td>High nitrogen
Holds moisture<\/td>
More expensive
Discolors<\/td>
Tomatoes
Peppers
Strawberries
Blueberries<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Leaves<\/strong><\/td>Free
Easy to apply
Adds nutrients to soil<\/td>
Can starve soil of oxygen or light if applied to thick
Only available in Fall<\/td>
Flower beds
Under trees
Added to compost<\/td><\/tr>
Straw<\/strong><\/td>Adds carbon to soil Keeps soil moist Adds nutrients Builds soil structure<\/td>Breaks down quicker than bark
Replaced more often
Discolors<\/td>
Strawberries
Blueberries
Vegetable gardens
Tropical fruit trees<\/td><\/tr>
Wood shavings<\/strong><\/td>Free or very cheap
High carbon<\/td>
Can clump together
Can absorb a lot of nitrogen<\/td>
Mix together with compost or bark mulch
Flower beds
Paths
Under shrubs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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