Find out what is the best mulch for vegetable garden with us

Woman is adding mulch to her vegetable garden

Mulch for vegetable gardens is just the best idea possible. Mulch works like security blanket for those young and tiny veggies. However you can just place any kind of mulch for vegetable garden. There has to be used specific types of mulch for veggies to thrive. Keep reading the article to find out more!

Types of mulch

In fact there are only two types of mulch which is organich mulch and inorganic mulch.

Organic mulch

Organic mulch is for example compost, pine needles or leaves. Organic mulch used to be alive so it can decompose. When it decomposes it gives back the nutrients and also organic matter to the soil which improves its texture and quality of course. It is great option for plant roots and its growth.

Inorganic mulch

Inorganic mulches are for example landscape fabric, black plastic or gravel. This type of mulch was never alive thats why it isn’t decomposing or it is but very slowly. Its benefits is this that it last longer than organic mulches and also are highly effective weed barriers.

Best garden mulches for veggie garden

If you were wondering what is the best mulch for veggie garden here is the best place to find out. If you want to give your vegetables the best soil for long term growth the best idea is to choose organic mulch.

  1. Compost – compost is the best food source. This is amazing because it can prevent plant diseases. Earthworms are just perfect guestes to make vegetable garden to thrive. You can create your own compost and if you do avoid tossing in meat, bones and food with a high fat content. So to sum up compost has exellent erosion resistance, is great for organic gardening and also is rich in nutrients.
  2. Shredded leaves – it is wonderful way to control weeds and also gives the garden a good nutrient portion. Shredded leaves impoves soil structure and also adds an organic matter. When leaves decompose you can simply dig them into the soil and add a fresh layer of mulch. Tip: avoid using infected with anthracnose, scab, or leaf spot. Those leaves can spread diseases.
  3. Black plastic – black plastic isn’t organic mulch and can be found in local garden center. It can be good weed control and warms the soil temperature. All you gotta do is to spreed it over the soil one to three weeks before you decide on planting or transplanting. You will have to cut holes in it when time comes to spreed seeds or dig holes in the ground. If you need your soil temperature to be cooler you can use white or silver mulch. To sum up black plastic suppress weeds in a exellent way, can be reused in next growing season and also keeps the soil moist.
  4. Grass clippings – grass clippings are loved by those who are fans of organic gardeners. Clippings decompose quickly and also infuse the soil with help of nutrients and is preventing pesky weeds. All you have to remember is to have your grass clippings dried and disease free before you will decide on spreading a layer on your lawn. To sum up pros of grass clippings is this that grass clippings are eco friendly, easy to access and can be folded into the soil at the end of the growing season. Remember that using thick layer of green grass will give off excessive heat and foul odors and not decompose like other organic materials.
  5. Newspaper – do not throw out the old newspapers because they can be used in your garden as a free mulch! All you gotta do is to soak sheets with water and spread them so they will just stick together. Now you have to spread an organic mulch over the papers to hold them down and provide weed protection.When newspapers are decomposting they are returning nutrients to the soil and improves soil compostion, however it can also for some time rob the soil surface of nitrogen. To sum up pross of newspapers is this that they are biodegradable and strong weed suppression.
  6. Straw mulch – straw mulch is really lightweight mulch. When seeds are starting it is very important to use super lightweight mulch. Straw can be left even after the growing season. This mulch will break down what will improve the soil. Important thing is to remember that you should never confuse straw for hay.
  7. Wood chip mulch – the best idea is to use arborist wood chips which indeed are made out of tree services that take down branches and old trees. This type of mulch is great kind to be around ornamental plantings. When wood chips break the organic matter starts working down into the soil by activiting of earthworms and insects that live and burrow in the soil, isn’t that just so cool?

What kind of mulch should be avoided in veggie garden?

Harvested veggies from a vegetable garden

Yes, there are mulches which should be avoided in vegetable gardens. Avoid mulches from this list:

  • hay – it has to much of weed and grain seeds,
  • clear plastic – it doesn’t prevent weed growth,
  • unshredded leaves – whole leaves form a dense mat over the soil,
  • wood based mulches – it ties up the nitrogen at the soil surface as they decompose.

When to mulch vegetable garden?

The best time for mulching garden is spring time just before the weeds have time to establish. There is also a good tip which can be used by you. This tip is to add layer of fresh mulch for vegetable garden after all of the plants are pulled. This helps in preventing fall and early spring weeds!

Advantages and disadvantages of mulching veggie gardens

There are few factors which should be considered before deciding on one of the options. Those factors are:

  • appearance,
  • fungal/mold growth,
  • soil heat,
  • weed suppression,
  • moisture retention,
  • increased insects,
  • introduction of weed seeds,
  • cost and longevity.

Facts

  • leaf mulch is going to be composted in about 6 to 18 months before mulching. Leaf mulch is going to be ready when it is friable and drier than it was before,
  • in fact the best vegetable garden mulch is this one which is the one which is going to work the best for your plants and the soil itself,
  • do not use fresh grass clippings because you may end up with matted mess which will repel water,
  • mulches are great helpers if you need to control weeds, prevent diseases, conserve moisture, and also maintain consistent soil temperatures,
  • organic gardeners will very much advoice and rely themselves on a organic mulches due to their natural ingredients and availability,
  • mulches which doesn’t integrate with the soil and reduce the fertile composition of the garden bed should be avoided,
  • when temperatures starts rising, mulch will insulate the soil and also retain moisture for healthy plant growth,
  • thick layer of mulch is helpful in keeping the soil moist longer and it is amazing because you won’t have to water your veggies that much.

Conclusion

Thanks to this article you could be able to find out what is perfect mulch for vegetable garden and veggie beds in a small garden. If you didn’t believe that having natural mulch for veggie garden can be an easy deal now you know that it is not that hard to have your own organic/natural mulch.

Use mulch and prevent weeds in your garden. Yes, it is that easy!