By Wayne McLaurin
University of Georgia
Volume XXVIII
|
If the prospect of free mulch interests you, look no farther
than your own
backyard. Herbicide-free grass clippings, leaves and pine
needles are an excellent
source of mulch.
It’s a tossup as to who will benefit the most — your plants
or you — when
you use organic mulches.
Benefits of mulch
With a 2- to 4-inch layer:
- The soil won’t crust, and precious moisture won’t
evaporate, potentially
cutting your watering needs in half. - When the Georgia summer is cooking, the roots will be
chilling. The soil
temperature will be as much as 25 degrees lower when the air
temperature is
100 degrees. So the roots stay healthier and take up water
more efficiently. - There will be fewer weeds and more earthworms and
beneficial microbic activity. - The plants will stay cleaner and be subject to fewer
diseases, since the
soil (many diseases are soil-borne) won’t splash up on
them. - As the mulch breaks down, nutrient-rich organic matter
will be added to
the soil. - Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses become invisible
under the mulch.
Compost and shredded bark are good organic mulches, too. You
can also use aged
sawdust, weed-free hay and straw (Coastal Bermuda hay is best)
and processing
by-products, such as cocoa bean hulls.
Sphagnum peat moss is good as a soil additive, but not as a
mulch. It acts
as a water barrier, wicks precious moisture from the soil and
can blow away.
Getting the best results
For best results, apply these magnificent mulches to weed-
free areas after
the soil has warmed. Leave about a 1-inch opening around plant
stems and crowns.
The time it takes to mulch plantings is far outweighed by the
time saved on
the big “W’s” — watering and weeding. The few weeds that do
germinate are surprisingly
easy to pull.
As you place mulch around your planting beds, take care to
pull it slightly
away from main stems and trunks. Don’t just pile it on —
safeguard the trunk
against insects and diseases.
Since organic mulch degrades over time, adding nutrients to
the soil, you’ll
need to replenish your layer occasionally to maintain its
thickness.
By using your own free mulch, you’ll not only improve your
soil at no cost,
but will also trim the amount of waste that ends up in area
landfills. This
is truly a win-win situation.
