If I asked you right now, on the spot, to name your top two most annoying gardening chores, what would you say? I’m going to guess one would be dealing with weeds and the other would be keeping your plants in that Goldilocks moisture zone—not too wet, not too dry. If you aren’t already using mulch, get ready, because it is a game-changer when it comes to gardening. Not only does mulch have weed-fighting and moisture-conserving benefits, but it also helps you achieve that ‘just got landscaped’ look, year after year.
Mulch is essentially a layer of material that you lay on your garden beds, borders, and containers. There are several materials you can use for mulching and each of them has pros and cons. The main benefit of any mulch is that it slows the evaporation of water in the soil, reducing how often you need to do it. It also stifles weeds by blocking sunlight and interfering with the germination of new weed seeds.
Mulches made of organic materials also have the benefit of slowly breaking down and nourishing the soil over time. This means your mulch will need to be topped up from time to time, but that’s no problem—nothing adds polish to your garden than a fresh layer of mulch! When neatly applied, mulches tend to have a nicer, tidier appearance than plain ol’ soil, so it serves an ornamental purpose, as well.
Mulch should be applied to the garden surface after your plants have been transplanted and watered. Apply an even, 5-7 cm (or 2-inch) layer that tapers down to ground level around plant stems and stalks. Mounding mulch around plants is an invitation for pests to nest there, and the mound can become a host for rot and mould, so it’s important to keep mulch away from the stems, stalks, and trunks of plants/trees. Plus, keeping the base of the stem more exposed will allow better airflow to the plant roots, and insects often prefer to not cross bare soil.
Shredded Mulch
Shredded mulches are an excellent choice because they knit together the fastest — so they pack and keep more weeds down than other types of mulch — and they tend to be the most cost-effective choice; however, if you are have termites in your yard, shredded mulch may not be ideal.
We carry 3 colours of shredded mulch:
If you find that you want to change mulch from year to year, you can keep your existing mulch base and do a top-up of colour, as the blacks and the browns fade with the sun.
Decorative Landscape Stone
Landscape stone doesn’t offer the same benefits as an organic mulch, but if you’re really preoccupied with keeping maintenance to a minimum, it’s a nice option to have. This mulch never breaks down, keeps water locked in, and definitely keeps weeds at bay—perfect for a “lay it and leave it” approach. However, because of the weight of the stone, you’ll want to keep your use of landscape stone reserved for mulching trees and evergreen shrubs. Your delicate annuals and perennials will be overwhelmed by this product.
Pine Bark Nugget
In my opinion, this is the best mulch for garden use, termites or not! Bark, unlike wood, is not a food source for termites and this mulch is highly termite-safe, as recommended by the City of Guelph. It also covers the ground in your garden with gorgeous chestnut-brown colour and weighs enough that it stays put, even on windy days—an A+ for function and style!
Coconut Husk
Coconut husk mulch, or coconut coir, is approved termite-safe and highly renewable. It works a lot like pine bark nuggets, looks great, and comes in easy-to-carry packages because it’s so light. Coconut husks retain water like crazy and are great for keeping the soil moist. With that said, it’s recommended by the City of Guelph as more of a soil amendment than a true top-layer mulch, so if you choose to use it, you’ll need to work in into the soil. This will offer the moisture benefits, but won’t give you much in terms of weed protection.
The right mulch can do a world of good for your garden. For help with choosing a mulch material that suits your landscape, visit us at Royal City Nursery. Our garden specialists can help you fall very mulch in love with mulch!
