Deciding on the type of mulch to use for your garden can be hard if you don't know the types of mulches that are available to you. There are many organic mulches you can use and they come at different prices. To get the best advice on which mulch to use it is important to talk to mulch suppliers as they know the varieties of mulch and their respective applications. Here are the common organic mulches you are likely to find at your local mulch suppliers.
Compost is usually organic matter that has decomposed. It is usually crumbly and dark in color. What makes compost so good for mulching is that it is highly nutritious especially when a wide array of materials was used to make it. Compost helps improve soil structure which increases the water-holding capacity of soil. Compost can be applied to almost all types of beds. The main weakness with using compost as mulch is that it creates an ideal environment for weeds to thrive.
Straw is made of stalk and leaves from crops like oats and peas. Straw helps retain moisture in the soil because it blocks evaporation. It can be used in various parts of the garden but you want them where they will not be easily disturbed and cause an unpleasant sight in your garden. The goodness with using straw mulch is that it takes long to decompose and it will add nutrients to the soil.
Bark mulch is made from bark extracted from trees. Bark mulches take remarkably long to decompose and they are not known for releasing nutrients to the soil. They are usually used dried rather than fresh and help the soil retain water more. The particles of bark mulches come in different sizes, some are smaller while others are larger. Barks mulches are more pleasing to the eye and suppress weeds better than some of the other mulches.
These are made of dry sugarcane leaves. They will decompose in less than a year and like the other mulches, they increase the water retention capacity of the soil. Sugarcane mulches also make good insulators but they are not a very nutritious mulch.
Lucerne hay is another mulch that is very rich in nutrients. Lucerne decomposes rapidly and needs to be replenished as a result. The weakness of lucerne mulch is that it can attract pests and if applied close to the base of plants it can cause decomposition or rot. Your local mulch suppliers might also have other options, most mulches serve specific or several needs.