#straw mulch

Mulching is a simple process that involves the use of other materials such as grass and rocks to cover the top soil. 

When it comes to organic mulch, a quality mulching mower successfully completes and hastens the mulching process. 

Nevertheless, there are different types of mulch and each mulch benefits a given plant mostly. 

However, a mulching mower might be limited to a specific number of mulch types. 

Mulches are used to cover soil for a variety of reasons: moisture retention and heat trapping. Mulches also create pathways in the soil and prevent weeds as well as controlling soil erosion.

Pumice rock

Pumice rock is a lightweight porous rock that comes from a volcanic eruption.

Most often, it is used as mulch for flower beds and other perennial plants. 

It has the ability to retain and trap water since it is very porous.

Wood chips

Wood chips are by-products of tree pruning. 

The chips have the ability to conserve soil water as well as moderate soil temperatures. 

In addition, they are good in suppressing weeds. 

They can be used as mulch in any vegetable garden as well as under trees and shrubs.

Grass clippings

A quality mulching mower is used to cut the grass into small pieces before application. 

Grass clippings are easily affordable and more beneficial to the plants. 

Most often, they can be used as mulch in vegetable gardens. 

Fresh grass has high nitrogen content that promotes vegetative growth. 

They also have the highest ability to retain the moisture content.

Pine straw mulch

Pine straw mulch is also affordable and easy to apply. 

Using pine straw mulch benefits plants in many ways but they particularly allow the soil to breathe and also prevent the soil from becoming dense and compact.

It also infuses the soil with nutrients such as calcium. 

Plants such as berries, some flowers and vegetables really benefit from this mulch because they tolerate and grow well under the acidic conditions created by the mulch.

Cocoa bean mulch

It offers an economical and attractive mulching material to add to all types of gardens. 

Using the right mulch in your garden can actually go a substantial way in raising the ground construction of your garden so enhancing its richness. Whether you use store bought mulch or grass from a mulching mower this guide will help you get the most from mulching.

The primary difficulty is based on locating the type of mulch which fits your gardening needs totally, although there are numerous kinds of mulch easily obtainable. 

To help you identify the right mulch for the garden, here are the most typical forms of mulch accessible:

Compost Mulch

Compost breaks down readily; this is the main reason gardeners generally chose it world-wide. 

Due to the likeness of compost to the earth, it could actually increase the development of your plants and give results that are outstanding. 

The very best thing about this is that you can also produce your very own compost that is abundant at no cost to you whatsoever. Just use leaves or grass and make sure they are cut very smaller.

This could typically save you quite a bit of money in the long term.

Mulch made from Pine Needles

The acidity of your land increases. Also, the feel of your plants could also improve. 

Pines could be utilized on sloppy landscapes for their ability to hold it steady nicely and stop land slide. 

In the event you're planning on putting acid-friendly plants like rhododendrons, azaleas or blueberry, pine needle mulch ought to be your first pick.

Straw Mulch

Straw mulch will not only ensure you results that you get are great but also go a significant way in beautifying your garden because of its gold colour that is appealing and adds a nice touch to your garden. 

However, it is important to make sure that the straw you plan on using is free from any weed seeds. 

It's straw is known to really have a top affinity for weeds and might really support their development as opposed to prevent it.

Shredded Bark

This really is most likely the most typical form of mulch apart from grass.

It could possibly be derived from various sources such as that of cedar trees.

The shredded bark can as well be utilized on landscapes that were sloppy and breaks down comparatively slow.

Decision

In the event that you want to get the very best from the own garden, a mulching mower might be convenient. 

A mulching mower is significantly different when comparable to standard mowers; the only difference here's that the mulching mower is constructed with unique blades that empower it to cut clippings and the grass repeatedly till the right size is reached. 

Using the right mulch in your garden can really go a long way in increasing the soil structure of your garden thus improving its fertility. 

There are several types of mulch readily available, but the biggest problem lies in finding the one that suits your gardening needs perfectly. 

To help you identify the right mulch for your garden, here are the most common types of mulch available:

Compost Mulch

Compost breaks down easily; this is the main reason why it is mostly preferred by gardeners worldwide. 

Due to its similarity to soil, it can really boost the growth of your plants and yield excellent results. 

The best thing about it is that you can also create your own rich compost at no costs at all. 

This will generally save you a lot of money in the long run.

Mulch made of Pine Needles

Pine needles increase the acidity of your soil. 

Moreover, they can also improve the texture of your plants. 

Pines can be used on sloppy landscapes due to their ability to hold in place well. 

If you are planning on planting acid-friendly plants such as blueberries, azaleas or rhododendrons, pine needle mulch should be your first choice.

Straw Mulch

Straw mulch will not only guarantee you good results but also go a long way in beautifying your garden due to its appealing golden color. 

However, it is important to make sure that the straw you plan on using is free of any weed seeds. 

This is because straw is known to have a high affinity for weeds and may actually encourage their growth rather than prevent it.

Shredded Bark

This is perhaps the most common type of mulch. It can be derived from various sources such a cedar trees. 

The shredded bark can as well be used on sloppy landscapes and breaks down relatively slow.

Conclusion

A mulching mower may come in handy if you want to get the best out of your garden. 

A mulching mower is much similar to regular mowers; the only difference here is that a mulching mower is built with special blades that enable it to cut the grass and clippings repeatedly until the right size is achieved. 

For mulch mowing, you will be required to always mind the height of your grass; this is by never letting it grow longer than the desired height. 

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Materials That You Can Use to Mulch

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Straw mulch

Materials That You Can Use to Mulch: Some materials I really love, and they are very beneficial.  Others- I wish they didn’t exist.  Everyone has a prerogative to use what they like, but since I’m into organic gardening and healing the planet, I will write of those I love most and comment on some advantages of those that, although they have their purposes, should not be used as regular mulch.

Straw: Using straw has so many benefits, and they far outweigh the few problems that it may cause.  Here is a list of benefits and the various uses:

Everyone knows straw is great for mulching. I’m not sure you can get a better product than this in northern climates.  It allows water to percolate right through to the plants.

Straw as a mulch helps keep the soil at a moderate temperature in the heat of summer.

Prevents soil from drying out and does not increase its temperature like plastic or other black mulches.

Readily available and reasonable priced.

Decomposes and can be incorporated into the soil or removed and placed in the compost bin.

Straw is one of the best things to protect plants over the winter. Some plants, like asparagus crowns, can heave if they have been recently transplanted. By applying a cover of straw over the winter, it will be protected against heaving. It will also protect the roots close to the surface from frost damage.

It can protect plants that have germinated in the fall and have grown some – like garlic. I like to apply a layer of straw to help them overwinter.

I use straw for mounding potatoes. Mixing straw and soil in the mounding of potatoes makes a loose mixture that allows the potatoes to develop in a fluffier soil with less resistance. This yields larger potatoes.  Most beneficial is the ease with which you can harvest them.

You can cover any one area or the bed you will be using in the spring with straw. Mark it well so you know where it is located- and mark the perimeter as well. Once the spring season approaches, you can remove the snow from the bed along with the frozen straw on top of the soil. Then the bed will get direct sun and be ready to plant that much sooner.  You can pick up a good two to three weeks of planting season this way.

There Are a Few Problems With Straw Mulch:

Some animals, like voles, can hide under straw but they can also do a great job of hiding under black plastic and black cloth. Even more so with plastic or cloth, as there are no cracks in them, so there is no way for predators to get at them.  Back plastic and cloth are considered to help increase the vole population due to their ability to hide under these materials.

When you think of all the benefits versus this small disadvantage, I see no reason not to use straw.  Instead, inspect the area for voles or other insects hiding underneath the straw, and see if you can find a method to control these.

Black or Clear Plastic Have Some Advantages and Uses:

It can be used to help heat a bed faster in the spring. Apply a layer of plastic for a week to ten days and it will cause the soil to defrost from the winter, allowing you to start your spring garden as soon as possible.

You can use clear or black plastic to sterilize the soil, or solarization, which is its official term. They recommend clear plastic for the best effect but I have seen it done with black plastic as well.  It is best you do this when you have an infestation of a particular disease caused by a bacteria or fungi in the soil or if you have some bad nematodes. If you have a weed infestation or want to eliminate any growth from a particular area, you can solarize the soil without herbicides.

Plastic can be very effective as a weed preventative but it will increase the soil’s heat and can be detrimental to the root system of the plants during hot summers.

Disadvantages:

Must use a drip irrigation to allow watering of plants.

The biggest disadvantage of plastic is that it’s not recyclable. It’s made from oil, which is a non-renewable source.

Creates a lot of garbage and has to be disposed of.

Harbors voles and other potential rodents.

Doesn’t allow rain water to water the bed and only where the hole of the plant is located can water enter, not sufficient usually to maintain the plant.

There are many other mulches. Depending on the region or continent, some can be easily decomposable and thus used for mulch. I have spoken regularly on using partially decomposed compost as mulch.  See my blog on compost to read about the benefits.