I hear lot's of gardners and books talk about mulching. How does this work?

Question

What can I mulch with ? Garden clippings? Evergreen and pine cones that are in my back yard? Can I use my evergreen needles to mulch with in my garden and veggies bed? I have created a compost pile. Thanks for all responses.

Answer 1

Mulching is confusing because it can mean many different things, to different people. It can refer to the finely chopped grass from a mulching mower. It can also refer to the practice of using ugly sterile stones and dyed bark and wood chips around the base of plants. It can also be the black plastic variety used to block weeds. What I like to call mulch is the stuff your talking about. I mulch my plants with a variety of things. Wood chips, bark (even large pieces of bark from dead trees), pine needles and cones, compost, grass clippings and leaves. When I think mulch I'm thinking of composting in place. RScott

Answer 2

Here is what I know...
Mulching is used to shade the soil, keep it cool and moist, weed free and therefore preserving water and time for the gardener. Not to mention the benefits of the mulch decomposing and fertilizing the plants.
As far as materials to use, well that's can be fairly simple. You'll want to use materials that are free from colored inks such as shredded newspapers, but not colored advertisements. Also, watch for high acid content. Bark mulch, wood shavings, grass clippings, pine needles (though sometimes they can be too acidic for some plants) pine cones (better if crushed), straw and a variety of plant materials that are not full of seeds.
The main thing with mulch is to make sure that it is at least 3-4 inches thick and not covering any of the plant that is being mulched (just up to the base of the plant).
For areas such as paths, walkways or play areas you can use any material that you would like. Just keep in mind that if the material doesn't decompose you will have to remove it when you don't want it there any longer!
Compost works well also, but it decomposes quickly and needs to be replaced several times in one season. Make sure there is no fat or dog, cat or non-herbivore animal waste in your compost pile

Answer 3

Mulch is simply something organic that will break down with time.It conserves water by holding the moisture in the soil.It can be whatever you like to use.From ground wood chips,to cocoa been shells.Some people prefer decorative mulch for flower beds.Hay and grass clippings work just fine in gardens.Its just about what YOU want.

Answer 4

Mulching means covering the surface of the soil with something to help stop weeds and conserve moisture.

http://www.gardenzone.info/articles/indexnew.php?article=7 is an article with more details about it.