- It is aesthetically pleasing. Many people use mulches like bark chippings in their garden because it looks good. And it does. A fresh layer of mulch always looks really smart, and is so simple! All it is really is a pile of chopped up old twigs, but the effect is lovely, and always impresses visitors who think it is a far more sophisticated arrangement than it actually is. Perfect, something that looks good for very little effort. And what's more, a mulch of wood chips usually lasts a year, before it needs a top-up, so after the initial spreading its time to just sit back and relax!
- It suppresses weeds. Yup, it sure does. A good, thick layer of mulch, whether it be straw, grass clippings, or manure helps to smother the weeds and prevent them from photosynthesizing. A few minutes of spreading mulch can save you hours of time weeding. What more can you ask for?
- It's great for saving water. The layer of organic matter stops water from evaporating from the soil surface. If you live somewhere hot or have too many times experienced a hose pipe ban then regular mulching can be a really useful weapon. It can save you time that would otherwise be spent watering.
- Mulching greatly improves soil structure. As the matter rots down and is combined with the soil by worms, it releases much needed nutrients into the soil. Applying mulch thinly speeds up the process and means that you can improve soil far quicker than waiting for mulch ingredients to rot down in the conventional compost pile. Bigger, healthier plants, quicker. Fab!
- There is no maintenance! Just toss on whatever it is you plan to use, ( I usually use lawn clippings, which I take straight out of the lawn mower's grass collection bag ) and let it sink into the soil. Then, when it's all combined into the soil top it up with some more. You never need to dig in the matter as our earth worm chums do it all for you. Awesome!
Amy.