By Callen Outen
Mulching is important for maintaining healthy plants in your landscape. When mulch is applied correctly, it can have many benefits to your soil and plants. Some of the benefits of mulches include reducing the growth of weeds, prevent loss of water from the soil, maintain steady soil temperatures throughout the seasons, prevent soil splashing and erosion during rain, improves soil structure, prevents soil compaction, and aesthetically it can add to the beauty of the landscape.
There are two different types of mulch: organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include bark, wood chips, leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, and ground cover. Inorganic mulches include gravel, stones, landscape cloth, recycled and crushed rubber tires, or black plastic. What is the main difference between the two mulches? Organic mulches are natural materials or yard waste that can be recycled and retain the nutrients in these organic materials. Inorganic mulches do not decompose.
Mulching can be used to cover trails, recreational and natural areas. Mulching is also very important for new plants because mulch helps to conserve moisture where the roots are growing. New plants grow healthier and faster when they are not competing for water and nutrients with weeds. The best time to mulch new plants is right after you plant them. Spring time is the best time to mulch around already established plants before the weeds begin to germinate. Before mulching an area it is important to remove any weeds.
A good rule of thumb for newly planted trees is to mulch 3 to 4 feet in diameter around the tree and continue to expand the diameter as the tree grows. However, do not pile mulch up against the trunk or in a “volcano” shape. This can lead to root flare and other problems. Create a circle of mulch about 2 feet in diameter for each inch of trunk diameter. Fine particle mulches such as wood or bark mulches should not be more than 2 to 3 inches deep. Applying more mulch than needed can suffocate the plant’s roots from receiving air. Pine bark nuggets or coarse textured mulches can be up to 4 inches deep because they allow for better air movement than fine particle mulches. Grass clippings or shredded leaves can restrict the air and water supply to soil and should not be deeper than 2 inches.
For more information on mulching, please visit the HGIC website at hgic.clemson.edu or tune in to “Making it Grow” at 7pm on Tuesday nights on SCETV or mig.org.
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Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Email Callen Outen at callenb@clemson.edu.