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Landscaping is walking the line between enjoying nature and adjusting it. You could call it domestication, but as with domesticating anything wild, it's not easy. Mulch is our natural answer to so many problems nature hands us as we attempt to make our landscape pretty. Whether preventing weeds, retaining water, or prettying it up, mulching is the way. But with all the varieties of mulch you have at your disposal; it can be hard to pick the right one for you. And not all mulch is created equal for every task. So today, we'll tell you about some of our favorite mulch varieties and the best ways to use each on your Rollingwood property.
Organic vs Inorganic
The primary division between mulches is organic and inorganic. Organic mulches mean anything that comes from plants, rather than the food definition of the word, and inorganic is everything else.
Examples of organic mulch include bark, nut shells, leaves, compost, and more. Inorganic mulches have natural items that aren't plant-derived, like stones and manufactured materials.
Yeah, But What About Really Organic?
Mulch that has not been treated with chemicals is best for food gardens. Most mulches you can buy prebagged are dyed and may even have chemical treatments. Be careful when growing a food garden to use mulch that doesn't have anything in you don't mind eventually ingesting. Sometimes people use compost as mulch in their vegetable gardens because it breaks down and feeds the soil while protecting your plants from the elements.Fresh Mulch from Chipped Trees
One little-known mulching method is using a freshly chipped tree. There's a reason we don't use it often, though! Fresh mulch can leach nitrogen from the soil and kill the plants it covers. That makes this a mulch that only has specific uses - namely, killing a large area of unwanted plants like fields of grass or ivy you want to convert.Cedar Mulch
Cedar mulch is perfect for dispelling guests, especially if you want to keep it natural. The scent of cedar is a natural repellant for rodents, snakes, and many bugs. As part of a tree, it eventually breaks down and fertilizes your soil.Rock Mulch
Rock mulch does a great of mulching the line between a natural and more polished look. Unlike plant-based mulches, they won't break down, so it's a semi-permanent fixture for your yard. And unlike manufactured mulches, it blends with the landscape but still manages to be striking. Rock mulch also works as a stand-alone feature. Businesses and some homes don't necessarily want to spend much time in their gardens. They might like something beautiful but don't have the time for maintenance. Multi-colored rocks of similar size can be the perfect option for the busy property home that wants something pretty but not fussy.Dyed Mulch
When you want to make an impression, you can't do better than dyed mulch! Dyed mulch is generally made of shredded bark and comes in many colors. You'll want to pick one that suits your home or business's aesthetic while creating a gorgeous backdrop that helps your flowers stand out. If you don't know what colors go best with others, there's no need to worry! Southern Lvoe will help you pick the right mulch for your garden bed.Polished Glass or Plastic Mulch
Sometimes, especially for business owners, you want something easy. It doesn't get much easier than manufactured mulch. Manufactured mulch is constructed from multiple materials, but plastic and polished glass are two of the most popular.
Mulching with these materials allows you multiple benefits. First, they don't break down, which means less frequent replenishment. And because they're manufactured, you can find them in nearly any color.
Finally, the shape of these materials is often excellent for repelling many pests. For example, slugs and other soft-bodied animals that enjoy eating your prized vegetation don't like crawling over hard, rigid materials with edges, meaning the right shape plastic pellets are enough to keep them at bay.