1K Shares

Are you sick of weeding or watering your garden all the time? Losing plants to hot summers and freezing winters? There may be a simple solution to minimize the impact of these challenges – Mulch!

 

20 Reasons why you should mulch your garden

20 Reasons Why You Should Mulch Your Garden

What is Mulch?

Mulch is a material that is spread around a plant or over the soil surface as a protective layer. If you think of soil as a ‘cake,’ the mulch is simply the ‘icing’ or ‘topping’. It provides a huge range of benefits for you and your garden. Mulch comes from a wide variety of organic or inorganic materials. Mulch ranges in cost from free to expensive.

20 Benefits of Using Mulch in Your Garden

Why do you need mulch anyway?  These are some of the reasons to use the ‘marvellous miracle of mulch’ in your garden.

1. Adds organic matter to your soil. This helps make your garden healthier and more resistant to pest and disease. (Saves money on pest control).

Fallen blossoms as mulch for flowering dianthus in a pot

There are many free sources of mulch like these yellow blossoms from my tipuana tree. I gathered them from the pathway as a decorative & practical pot mulch.

 

2. Provides valuable slow-release nutrients and prevents vitamin loss in plants. (Saves money on fertilisers).

3. Helps retain moisture in the soil for longer. Mulch prevents evaporation by shielding the soil from the sun. It also reduces water run-off during rain or watering. This reduces the amount of water needed. (Saves money).

4. Shades delicate seedlings from too much sun. (A mini umbrella).

5. Reduces time spent watering. (Saves time and money).

 

“Mulch can retain up to 70% more water in the soil than unmulched soil.”



Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support of this site is appreciated!

6. Is a great insulator by regulating soil temperature. Keeps roots consistently cool in summer and warm in winter. (Reduces plant stress).

7. Provides a natural barrier to stop weeds from growing and competing with plants for nutrients. How? By blocking the sunlight. You’ll find it easier to remove the few weeds that do grow. (Saves you time).

 

Sweetcorn in raised garden bed using mulch to mound around stalks

I have also used mulch to mound around sweetcorn stalks to support them as they develop roots.

8. Increases biological activity in your soil. How? By providing beneficial micro-organisms and earthworms with food.

9. Improves soil conditions. Helps to bind sandy soils and open up clay soils.

10. Saves you time and energy cultivating the soil.

11. Stops nutrients from leaching out of the soil.

 

Dry dead leaves mixed with green grass clippings can both be used as compost ingredients

Dry dead leaves mixed with green grass clippings can both be used as compost ingredients

12. Protects plants from frost damage by acting as a protective ‘blanket.’

13. Provides a clean surface for produce like fruit and nuts to fall, ready for harvesting.

14. Improves soil drainage and structure as it decomposes.

15. Provides support around plants especially young seedlings.

 

Seedlings in pots well mulched

Mulch can be used to protect and support seedling stems in pots or after transplanting.

16. Recycles waste materials. e.g. organic mulches like grass clippings and leaves.

17. Protects plants from mud-splash during watering or rain.

18. Prevents erosion and soil compaction particularly from foot traffic on pathways and play areas.

19. Improves the visual appearance of your garden.

20. Can provide a home for plant-friendly insects.

 

Lemongrass - use secateurs to snip to size for your pot plants.

I grow lemongrass not only for culinary use in the kitchen but also as a source of fragrant mulch for my container gardens.

 

So regardless of where you live and whether your plants are in pots or beds, mulch is a key ingredient for a successful organic garden. Keen to save money, time and effort? Learn How to Mulch Your Garden for Free.

CLICK BELOW for mulch and soil building resources

Affiliate Links: Your support of this site is appreciated!

 


Related articles:

 


Like this article?

Please share and encourage your friends to join my free Newsletter for exclusive insights, tips and all future articles.

© Copyright Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener 2017. https://themicrogardener.com. All rights reserved.

Some links within this article are affiliate links. I only recommend products or services I use personally or believe will add value to my readers. If you purchase a product via an affiliate link, I will earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. It’s a way you can support my site, so it’s a win-win for both of us. You directly support my ability to continue bringing you original, inspiring and educational content to help benefit your health. Thanks! Please read my Disclosure Statement for more details.

4.3/5 - (21 votes)
1K Shares