Weed Control Is A Snap With Mulches

Weed Control Is A Snap With Mulches

Weed control is one of the toughest part of gardening, but mulch can be an easy solution. I’m a big fan of mulch ! It keeps me snuggly and warm during the winter and nice and cool in the summer. Thick mulch is also the best way to discourage weed growth in your garden, as well.

There are several different types of mulches you can use. Some are best for keeping weeds down during the growing season, while other types keep weeds from overtaking the garden during the winter or off-season.

Mulches That We Don’t Like

Not all mulches are created equal. I don’t especially like plastic mulches. Plastic mulches can keep the weeds out for a while, but they also keep organic matter, water and food from getting to the plants, which is counter to the purpose of mulch. Plastic mulch also inhibits airflow in the soil, which can harm plant roots. If plastic mulches cause the soil to heat up to a certain point, they can also kill beneficial microorganisms in the soil. I’d recommend staying away from them.

Organic Mulches For Use During The Growing Season

Organic mulch not only provides weed control, it also adds nutrients back to the soil. Add a layer of two to four inches around your plants and the weeds won’t get through. As the materials break down, they will feed your garden, while moderating the soil temperature the year-around.

Here are some of the best types of organic mulches to control weeds:

Shredded Bark: Shredded bark mulch must be added to the garden at three inches deep in order to provide maximum weed control. If you order shredded bark mulch, you need to make sure that your source is reputable. You don’t want shredded treated lumber, and you don’t want mulch that is full of weeds. Be careful to keep the mulch away from the stems of plants—at least an inch or so—to keep critters that live in the mulch from snacking on plant stems.

Newspapers: Several layers of newspaper will block weeds from sprouting. They will break down over time.

Composted and shredded leaves: This is an excellent mulch that also puts many nutrients back into the soil. It is important to make sure that the leaves are shredded, otherwise they will mat together in a slimy, wet mess.

Grass clippings: If your yard is fairly weed-free, grass clippings make a good mulch. They add nitrogen back to the soil. You need at least four to six inches of grass clippings because they will lose water and break down quickly.

Living Mulches For Off-Season Or Fallow Areas

Living mulches or cover crops also help control weeds by shading out weeds and competing with them for food, sunlight and water on soil that you aren’t currently growing crops on. Clover, annual rye and any other legume makes a good off-season mulch, because the plants fix nitrogen and improve soil quality.

About three weeks before the garden plot is to be used, cut down the mulch and till it into the ground. This will add even more organic matter to improve the soil structure.

Organic mulches are one of the best ways to control weeds-during the growing season and off-season.

Happy gardening.

Geefrank

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