Mulches explained

[Tarragon2017]

I expect you need mulches when you grow everything other than herbs , what do people use

[Nicos]

Nice thread idea!

I've never really got around to mulching apart from a few cms of grass clippings here and there and wood chip. We did try pumice in tubs...they worked well, but it was hard to tell how dry it was underneath without taking the skin off your fingers poking them through to touch the soil.

I have found this link which is interesting....

Mulches: Types and Uses | Homestead and Gardens

[Guest]

Mulches are personal preference, there are good and bad points to using them and each of the different types. I do and have used all of the following (some in combinations)

woodchips/ bark
woodshavings
chicken poo
cardboard/ paper
horsey poo
hedge trimmings
grass cuttings
weeds
vermiculite
gravel
straw

and soon to try green manure/ phacelia

[bario1]

The main one i use is dead leaves, just put 4-6" on any unused bed over winter and then either dig in in Spring or plant through. I also mulch mature brassica plants with dead leaves in Autumn, and grass clippings in summer. On my fruit bushes and trees this year I'm using a mulch of leaves followed by rabbit hutch cleanings, followed by thick cardboard, possibly mypex, then woodchips to finish - that's more of a permanent weed suppressing measure though.

[Tarragon2017]

I was thinking of just collecting some leaves now in a bag and when I plant my veg and herbs in a week or 2 just adding to the top of the soil . Is this the correct method. I have a few magnolia leaves are these ok ?

[Bigmallly]

I think the bottom line is mulches are used to suppress weeds whilst retaining moisture. Woodchips are contentious as some believe they rob the soil of Nitrogen but I think that is only when they are dug into the soil. Mulches can be anything from 1 inch of gravel to 6 inch of leaves. Black plastic is considered as a mulch as it will also do both jobs, again some prefer not to use it as it can harbour slugs/snails.

[Tarragon2017]

Norfolk which one did u prefer over all

[bario1]

My problem with woodchip is that I think once it gets wet it leeches an acidic tea into the underlying soil... I swear my brassicas were stalling last year until I scraped off the woodchip mulch. Great for blueberries though!

[Guest]

I don't have a preference. I am cheap and nasty and depends what comes to hand

It does help to know the pros and cons and it will also depend on what you are growing. As BM says there is an argument that wood based mulches rob nitrogen as they decompose. However using it as a mulch is fine (IMO) as it will only affect the top layer of soil but is better used with plants started elsewhere as sown seeds may struugle. Chicken poo is nitrogen rich so can in theory be used with wood base to counter act. Arguments for manure if it is not well rotted may scorch plants, can causing forking on root crops and scab on spuds (so don't store well). However, much to my Dads disgust I use it on top of paper/ card in the belief the rain will wash liquidy goodness down into acceptable quantities for plants and worms will come up and feast when ready etc. etc. Card and paper can create a home for slugs and is not a good mulch for roots.. Weeds is just a lazy thing a result of hoeing or pulling - they will break down and go back to the soil. Grass don't lay it to thick as it will result in a nasty unhelpful sludge. Gravel and vermiculite are fine for small pots and ornamental areas but are an added expense. My least fav. is straw no real reason just my least fav.

[Tarragon2017]

I am gardening on a budget so I want to use dead leaves. Whats rhe pros and cons of this ?

[bario1]

No cons that I can think of except that over time, as they break down, they may make your soil slightly acidic. Also, vigorous weeds will eventually find a way to the surface. And they tend to blow about all over the place.

[bario1]

Ok, three cons

[Tarragon2017]

But the Pro is that its free

[bario1]

All my mulches are free, except the mypex, which I don't really think of as a mulch. Actually, i do buy re-shredded mushroom compost every year to mulch my brassica beds before planting.
Sorry, i keep contradicting myself today!

[Tarragon2017]

I have heard alot about mushroom compost as a mulch is it totally organic and good ?