take the good type of mulch for your vegetable garden can be intimidate . The good newsworthiness is that there are lots of great options to pick from .
In this Emily Post I ’ll tell you about all of the different types , include the benefits and cautions of each , how to choose which one(s ) to use , and what kinds to avoid .
How To Choose Mulch For Your Vegetable Garden
The near type of mulch to use in your vegetable garden is a lightweight , organic material that will break down quickly . These are ideal because they …
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9 Best Types Of Vegetable Garden Mulch
Below is my inclination of the honest constituent mulches to use in your veggie spot , along with any pros , sting , and precautions for each .
You do n’t need to choose only one kind either . you may unify and match any of these together , and make use of whatever materials you have on hand .
1. Grass Clippings
you may apply the trim from your own lawn , or enquire your neighbour for theirs , they are a keen constitutional alternative . Plus it ’s destitute , and you ca n’t beat that Leontyne Price tag .
But there are a few precautions to call back about . First , never use eatage clippings if you treat your lawn , even if you utilise organic product , because they carry weedkiller . This can make major trouble in your beds , and may even toss off your plant .
Also , do n’t use them if your lawn has last to seed . You do n’t want to dump grass seeds into your veggie patch .
Different types of vegetable garden mulches
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2. Hay or Straw
Hay and straw are both very popular choices , and they give your bed a nice finished flavor . They ’re gentle to get at any rest home melioration store or garden center . Plus the bales are inexpensive to buy ( especially in the capitulation ) .
However , if the earth does not enfeeble well , these mulches can become mouldy . Also , some types of hay or straw can be fill with seed . So be sure to purchase high - quality , seed - destitute Basle .
Otherwise , if you live in a cold mood like I do , buy them in the fall and go away them outside through the winter . That manner they will start to wear down , and the cold weather will down many of the seminal fluid for you .
3. Sawdust
Sawdust is a great vegetable garden mulching material , and it can be gratis if you know someone who does a lot of woodwork .
However , look on the case of woods , it can be acidulent , and it could also percolate nitrogen from the plants . So be certainly totest your garden soiloften , and amend it as necessary .
4. Pine Needles
Pine needles are another smashing pick . For those of you that live surrounded by pine tree trees , this is also a free one .
But they can sum redundant acidity to your stain , and most vegetables like it to detain achromatic or alkaline . So it ’s a good idea to monitor the level regularity witha pH probe . Addinggarden limeto your beds is an easy way to neutralize the acidity .
5. Newspaper
modernistic newspapers are print using soy - based ink , which is non - toxic and biodegradable – so it ’s a safe mulch option to utilise in your vegetable garden and raised beds .
However , since it ’s very lightweight , the paper will blow aside in the wind . So you should either rip up it and wet it down , or cover it with another type of mulch to keep it from blowing away .
6. Leaves
Leaves are everywhere , and your neighbor will happily partake in theirs with you . They ’re promiscuous to use , since you could just toss out them over your bottom as you crease them up in the evenfall . Plus they ’re free .
But not all leaves are create adequate . So be certain you know what eccentric of trees they come from . Some kinds , like black walnuts and California Piper nigrum tree , contain a substance that is toxic to other plant .
Dried leaf can also become wad , which can produce a punishing surface over your bed . This can prevent water supply from soaking into the grime . So , just be sure to keep them wet so they decompose quicker .
7. Compost
Compost is nutrient - rich , and assist the environment by keeping solid food waste out of the trash . If you do n’t have a compost bin , it ’s comfortable tofind it for sale onlineor at your local greenhouse .
There are a brace of things to consider before using it as vegetable garden mulch though . First , you will need to brush up or fluff it regularly to keep weeds from becoming instal .
Also , it can contain seminal fluid . So be sure everything is well - compost before using it in your bed .
8. Cardboard
Cardboard is another howling option for mulching your veg beds , and is readily available . It does a fantastical job of keeping the weeds down , and you’re able to also use it to put out the existing one .
Since it ’s so lightweight , you may postulate to stop up it to keep it from blowing off . Or you’re able to cover it with another type of mulch to consider it down .
To make planting easier , it ’s best to lie the cardboard down after you ’re done , rather than render to cut a hole for your plants . Also , since composition board is so obtuse , it will break down much slower if it dries out .
9. Shredded Bark
you’re able to bribe chopped barque at your local garden center or home improvement entrepot . Be sure to get the material that is very exquisitely rip up and lightweight , rather than the thicker and heavier wood micro chip .
If you choose to use this , you should n’t till or turn it into your soil , or it can slip nitrogen aside from your veggie . Instead you should refresh it every class by use it over the top of the old layer .
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Mulches To Avoid Using In Your Veggie Beds
Below is a list of the types of mulches you should avoid using in your veg garden . These are too heavy , wo n’t break down quickly enough ( or at all ) , will make planting unmanageable , and/or they can leach harmful chemicals into your grunge .
decide what kind of mulch is best for your vegetable garden does n’t have to be daunting . Experiment with whatever materials you have available to you to see which one you wish . you could always combine several of these options too .
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