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Gardening Database Mulching

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Below is a list of topics on mulching, with links where appropriate, if you are not listed or need advice on mulching
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Where does the term Mulching come from?

What is the purpose of mulching?

What materials are available and advantages with each?

Where does the term Mulching come from?

Mulching is the action of applying a mulch onto the soil. It is derived from an English word for soft.

What is the purpose of mulching?

The main purpose of mulching is to stop water from evaporating from the soil. Depending upon the material used mulching may also add structure to the soil, or have a cosmetic effect, deter some garden pests whilst encouraging friendlier creatures to flourish, reduce annual weeds, forms a barrier that reduces frost from penetrating the soil, plant food can also be released, worm activity is greatly improved.

What materials are available and advantages disadvantages with each?

Cocoa, Coir, Straw, Garden Compost, Peat, Manure, Grass Clippings, Chipped bark, leaf mould, Wood shavings, Residue from shredding machines, spent compost, Spent hops,  mushroom compost, stones and pebbles.

 

Tools an Equipment Needed

If you have trees that need pruning yearly then consider the purchase of a Shredder instead of taking the off cuts to the local dump it site.

A garden rake is needed after to weeding to break up the surface.

A daisy grubber may help to remove weeds.

Links to other websites with information on mulching

Organic signpost contains other substances that may be used and a comparison table

HDRA contains a lot of advice on the quantities to use when using mulching to improve fertility

Primal Seeds offer more substances to use

The Arboricultural Information Web Site is another useful and informative site

Commercial Mulch Manufacturers

County Mulch

Suppliers of Mulching Materials

Weedless is the web site of Fountain bark products which supply mainly wood derived mulches

Mulching Elsewhere in the world

Japan

A lot of information on trials done with mulching in English

USA

Find out what the USDA has on mulching

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