Understanding The Different Types Of Mulch

When you can finally pick out a practical and aesthetically pleasing mulch for your landscaping, many people become overwhelmed by the variety from which they can choose. Each material seems to have different uses and expectations, so Crestview Landscaping put in the work for you and created this handy list of our most popular mulches to help you decide which material you'd like to use when scheduling your mulching service.

Organic Mulches

These are made from natural materials that can decompose. Choosing an organic mulch is excellent for improving soil quality and fertility because as it decomposes, it releases nutrients into the soil and attracts worms.

Here are our most common organic mulches:

• Tree bark and wood chips. These are the most commonly used mulches, as they offer a range of uses. These materials are known for resisting soil compaction, suppressing the growth of weeds, and preventing wind erosion. Another reason these materials are chosen most often is due to their variety of colors (natural and dyed) and textures, which can help fit any aesthetic. Due to the nature of each source material being different (pine, for example, works best for plants that love acidity), you can almost always find a tree bark or wood chip that fits your needs.
• Compost. This material is the best way to increase the nutrients in your soil in a short amount of time. Compost is a mix of decomposing organic matter such as grass clippings or rotten vegetables. Although you can make it yourself, it will take a long time to build up the correct quantity for your landscaping, so we recommend purchasing it. This much is best for vegetable gardens or flower beds.
• Straw or grass clippings. These materials are best for smothering weeds and preventing unwanted seeds from sprouting. This is most helpful for vegetable or flower gardens. With straw or grass clippings, you can expect rapid decomposition and a barrier that keeps the soil warm in winter and cool in summer.

Inorganic Mulches

These are made from materials that cannot decompose. This type of mulch is generally for when homeowners are prioritizing the structure of their landscaping, as these materials are known to better prevent erosion and last a long time in comparison to organic material.

Here is the breakdown:

• Stones or gravel. These materials are aesthetically pleasing and come in various colors and textures. Stones are usually used with fabric underneath to suppress weeds, but they can be used without. The selling point of this material is that or will rarely need to be replaced or reapplied.
• Landscaping fabric. This material is best for suppressing weddings and allowing the movement of air, moisture, and nutrients within the soil. This material is usually covered by a different mulch to make it look better.

At Crestview Landscaping, we do many types of services in the landscaping field.

Call us today to schedule your service and learn more about mulching from our Mahwah team.