Mulch is essential to keep your moisture in the soil and to provide soil ventilation. We’ve compiled the best tips on how to keep mulch from washing away!
Ever wondered what makes mulching a must-do step for gardeners and growers?
Mulch is a sort of coverage which makes use of straws, compost, or even sheets to cover the ground so as to prevent erosion and extreme evaporation.
In addition, this also helps in preventing weeds from growing in the same beds with your plants.
In this article, we will not be discussing the ways on how to add mulch to your plant beds. Rather, we will share with you the best tips and practices on how to keep mulch from washing away, especially during the rainy season.
But first, we will introduce the 5 mulch materials and their benefits:
Contents
5 Best Mulch Materials To Use For Gardening
Here are the 5 best mulch materials to use:
Chipped Wood
This type of mulch is known for being the best one when it comes to water conservation. This also helps the moisture penetrate into the roots. The eucalyptus and cedar chipped woods are the top favorites since they are insect-resistant.
Hay And Straw
This is an inexpensive option as hay, straw, and even grass are easily available. You just have to ensure that these materials are entirely dry before you apply them as a mulch. Straw is much more beneficial as this is free from seeds from weeds that may invade the landscape.
Compost And Manure
Aside from being organic, manure and composts are also good mulches that help improve the soil quality. They can hold a lot of moisture and provide nutrients.
Paper
Put your old newspaper into use by using it as mulch. Paper mulch is ideal for vegetable gardens as they function like that of grass and hay minus the weed seeds infestation. The paper resin has a water-resistant capacity.
Plastics
Plastics are commonly used in commercial gardens and farms. This is because plastics don’t get blown away and can be secured easily. The main problem with this material is the disposal. However, you can choose a biodegradable plastic to lessen this concern.
How To Keep Mulch From Washing Away?
Mulching is a strategy that is best used during warm, sunny days as it helps retain moisture in the soil. The concern of many is during rainy days as mulch can easily get washed away.
Check out the best tips to prevent this from happening:
1. Use A Heavier Weight Mulches
The lighter the mulches are, the easier they are to be washed away in the rain. So, choose your mulch materials carefully. The best mulches in rainy seasons are pine needles and chipped woods (usually in much larger pieces). Smaller shreds mean they don’t hold much in steep areas and straws and grass can easily float in the flood.
2. Spread A Netting Over The Mulch
Netting is another technique that you can apply to prevent mulch from washing away.
So, how to keep mulch from washing away using a netting?
Spread the net over the area and secure the ends with a landscape pin on all sides. The pressure that the net puts against the surface helps in holding the mulch in place, thus preventing erosions.
Make sure you use netting with smaller holes. Netting and heavy-weight mulches are a good combination as chipped woods and bark get trapped in the net, encouraging more bonds with the soil.
3. Apply Stones And Rocks As An Edges Fence
In flat surfaces and leveled plant beds, using stones and rocks as a form of edge fencing is also an excellent idea. Moreover, they also serve as a sort of decorative design around your flower beds.
There are various decorative stones and rocks available online and in some gardening stores. The main drawback of using this technique is that stones and rocks can be a breeding spot for weeds. So, it is important to do some regular weeding around once a month to prevent weed infestations.
To make the most out of your mulches, make sure they don’t get washed away by rain. By following these three simple tips, you can minimize the problem and own a healthy and stunning garden.
Recommended Reading:
- How To Fix Stunted Growth In Plants?
- How To Tell If Corn Is Bad?
- How To Move A Rose Bush Without Killing It?
- How To Tell When Broccoli Is Bad?
- How To Get Rid Of Weeds In Rock Landscaping?
