When choosing the right kind of mulch for your place, know that the most suitable one is the mulch that meets your needs both aesthetically and functionally. All the varieties of mulch come with a handful of pros and cons. The key to choosing the right mulch is knowing your garden. Mulching is your best way of landscape management without making a big investment.Lets take a look at the variety of mulches, their advantages and drawbacks, to know the right choice for you.
1-Pine Needle/ Pine Straw
Commonly used in vegetable gardens and small fruiting plants, the pine needle mulch is the best choice to make. If you are looking for a mulch variety that stays put for longer periods of time while being organic, then pine needles are the best choice to make. Due to their acidic nature, they are best for the soil of plants that prefer an acidic medium for their growth. Moreover, they stay put on the surface, making them a great choice for slopes since they do not wash away with rain.
2-Gravel
Is gravel the right choice for your plant bed? Gravel is used around plants that have drought resistant plants. Gravel has a heat absorbing capacity much higher than other kinds of mulch used in gardens. This very property of gravel makes it an ideal mulch for some succulent filled gardens. It can be a heaven and a hell for the plants depending upon the climate of the garden and the types of plants growing there. Gravel is also a great protector against weed plants, inhibiting their growth.
3-Compost/ Manure
A very natural and organic kind of mulch that is great for gardens having infertile or low fertile soils is compost. Compost adds a large amount of water holding capacity to the soil along with improving the soil structure making it ideal for a variety of plants. However, manure is unable to inhibit the growth of weed.
4-Shredded Bark
If you are looking for a more organic mulch that stays longer without decomposition then shredded bark could also be an option. It is similar to bark nuggets but due to its coarse nature and stringy texture, it is less likely to wash away with rain. This by-product of the lumber and paper industries is the best kind of mulch to be placed around barks and trees. For more options, you could consult a Mulch- rock installation Downriver Michigan professional.
