We know that mulches have many benefits for your garden and they play an important role. Many gardeners use a combination of flower beds and mulch. Spring is considered an important time for you to add mulch and you need to choose the best mulch for your flower beds. Not every mulch is right for your garden. To better solve your confusion, we provide you with a guide to spring garden bed best mulch.
When to mulch your flower beds?
Spring is the perfect time to mulch flower beds. Spring starts in March and ends at the end of May. In general, mid-spring to late spring is the best time to let the mulch serve your flower bed or garden.
(backyard garden)
In early spring, the soil has not yet recovered from the cold of winter. From mid-spring to late spring, the soil is heating up. Do not lay mulch film too early, this will slow down the process of warming up the soil, affecting the next task.
What are the best mulches for flower beds?
There are two types of mulch in total: organic mulch and inorganic mulch.
Organic mulch used to be biological, such as wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, straw, pine needles, etc. This type of mulch decomposes, and when it does, it delivers nutrients and organic matter to the soil and improves soil quality. Good soil conditions are more conducive to plant growth.
(organic mulch)
Inorganic mulches are never living things, such as plastic, gravel, landscape fabrics, horticultural wool, etc. This type of mulch does not decompose or decompose very slowly. Inorganic mulches do not provide nutrients to the soil.
In contrast, organic mulches have the advantage of being environmentally friendly, easy to use, and more beneficial to the soil. Organic mulch is seen as the best mulch for flower beds.
The best mulch for flower beds
Cocoa sheet mulch
If you have leftover cocoa bean shells, don't throw them away as trash. They will make the best mulch material. Cocoa bean shells are popular for their attractive chocolate scent and beautiful color.
This unique mulch is perfect for your balcony, garden, and farm. They provide a protective layer for the soil as well as nutrients while being somewhat waterproof. However, cocoa shells decompose quickly, so don't cover the soil with too many cocoa shells to avoid mold. Excessive moisture is also not allowed.
Straw mulch
Straw is the most readily available plant fragment, and you can find plenty of it in your garden. Straw is not the prettiest choice for a beautiful and creative garden, and it doesn't even look good. However, straw is one of the most effective choices for garden bed mulch.
Straw is a very slow decomposing plant and provides ideal insulation. There is nothing to be aware of when using a straw to protect plants, making straw one of the best mulch for flower beds.
Wood chip mulch
Wood chip mulch is the most popular type of mulch for gardeners in recent years. Cedar and eucalyptus mulch is the most desirable choices for wood mulch. You can purchase wood chip mulch at garden markets, gardens, hardware stores, and grocery stores.
If you are going to prepare wood chip mulch for your garden bed, you should try to choose aged wood chip mulch, which adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Do not apply a thick layer of wood chip mulch to the surface of your garden bed; this will affect the soil.
Bark mulch
Bark mulch is made from shed tree bark. You can obtain this material by simply going to your garden or woods. Bark mulch can be used just like any wood mulch and lasts longer. Bark mulch can be used in combination with straw and wood mulch.
Grass clippings mulch
You don't need to go to a garden supply store to buy grass clippings mulch, just collect them as you mow your lawn to get the perfect organic mulch. You need to check the grass that will be used as mulch because some grasses drop seeds.
Grass clippings mulches are perfect for raised flower beds and you should spread them around plants that are about four inches thick. Grass clippings provide an ideal protective barrier for plants and provide a lot of nitrogen, which adds nutrients to the soil.
(grass mulch)
Also, please note that grass clippings used to make mulch will be dried in advance. Fresh grass clippings or grass clippings that retain moisture will not work.
How to take care of your mulch for flower beds
Observe your garden bed regularly. To know the condition of the plants or mulch in your garden bed, you should check the garden bed frequently. A raised garden bed is more friendly to your lower back and you don't need to squat down to take care of the plants. 48 "x24 "x30" Raised Garden Bed from Quictent is an ergonomic wooden raised garden bed.
(flower bed landscape)
Use a tool to turn over the mulch. If the mulch is moldy, use a shovel or other tool to turn the mulch and expose the moldy parts to airflow. The most mold that grows on mulch is not harmful to plants.
Check for weeds regularly. Your mulch may be mixed with weed seeds, and weeds can germinate through the mulch. If you find unwanted guests, simply pull them out and discard them.
Clean up old mulch. When you re-prepare your flower beds the following spring, you will need to clean up the old mulch.
Don't mulch your flower beds too often. Usually, mulching twice a year is the normal frequency. Spring and fall are the best times to mulch your flower beds.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to choosing the best mulch for flower beds. Different mulches have their characteristics. Knowing their characteristics will allow you to make the right choice faster and avoid losses.
