Covering the soil is called mulching, although gardeners have different reasons for doing so. This article reveals which mulch is suitable for what.
When most people think of the term "mulch", they first think of bark mulch, which is now available in every hardware store and garden center. But mulching is much more, because the term was coined in horticulture many years ago. Mulching is all about covering the soil. For this purpose, mostly organic materials are used, all of which have the aim of keeping the soil moist.
If you give your beds a layer of mulch from time to time, you won't do anything wrong. Because mulch keeps the soil moist, certain mulch also gives it nutrients and, as a positive side effect, fewer weeds grow. But not every mulch is suitable for every bed. So that you do everything right, here are a few small tips on where to best use which mulch:
Bark mulch:
Can be used in any flower bed and is also suitable as a path.
Straw:
Is particularly good for vegetable beds, between strawberries and also in herb beds. The straw must be well threshed to prevent grain from growing in the garden next spring.
Foliage:
An excellent protective layer under trees and shrubs. Also counts as a source of humus when the leaves gradually decompose.
Mowing:
All flower beds are happy about this, but also vegetable and herb beds. Also suitable for strawberry beds, but only after harvest. Caution: lawn clippings should be dry.
Woodchips:
Used primarily under shrubs and trees with lush roots. Not suitable for young plants as the wood chips suppress plant growth.
Gravel:
Looks great in the rock garden and also as a path.
Rule of thumb: You should never make the layer too high, a maximum of five centimeters is sufficient, even if ten centimeters are specified for bark mulch, for example. If you mulch properly, you do a lot for the plants and also have visually more beautiful beds.