There are many ways to mulch open areas. For functional areas such as garden paths, it is advisable to use substrates that do not rot too quickly and are soft. On the other hand, a wide variety of waste products from the garden are suitable for covering the ground in beds.
Lawn clippings are a cheap alternative to bark mulch
These are good alternatives:
- pine bark: is considered the first choice when looking for a replacement
- leaves: recommended for special purposes
- compost: is a widely used variant
- lawn clippings: occurs in every garden
- miscanthus: neutral and ecological solution
pine bark
This material is very similar to bark mulch and can be used in the same way. It comes from pine trees from the Mediterranean region and is characterized by a reddish tint. Pine bark exudes a pleasant fragrance in the garden that does not smell obtrusively of conifers. The decomposition processes are slower compared to bark chips from native trees. Pine bark contains lower levels of pollutants than pine and spruce bark. However, this alternative substrate is more expensive.
compost
Mulching with compost substrate is the classic variant that offers the plants a wide range of nutrients. In order for it to be suitable as a mulch material, a coarse structure is necessary. Well decomposed and fine compost does not provide adequate protection against soil erosion, water loss or weed growth. Only use the material on beds with heavy-duty plants. Weak consumers cannot tolerate the oversupply of nutrients.
leaves
Leaves from healthy trees provide a free substitute for bark mulch and are recommended as mulch material for plants growing in forests or forest edges. Within the next gardening season, soil organisms break down the plant tissue into humus. If the trees are affected by apple scab, mallow rust, powdery mildew, leaf scorch or similar fungal diseases, the foliage is not suitable as a ground cover. If you mulch with leaves, you should let them dry well.
lawn clippings
When mowing the lawn, clippings are produced, which, as a mulch substrate, ensure a comparatively rapid release of nutrients. The rate of decomposition depends on the thickness of the mulch layer. The thicker you apply the material, the more you have to pay attention to the water content in the clippings. A thick layer of fresh plant material will stick together over time and reduce air circulation. It is therefore advisable to dry them beforehand, which makes it easier for the blades of grass to be blown away by the wind. If the mulch layer is no more than two centimeters thick, you can also distribute fresh grass cuttings on the beds.
miscanthus
The Chinese reed proves to be an ecological variant for mulching, which is reminiscent of small animal litter. The sharp-edged, firm and coarse chaff keep snails away, but can cause small cuts on bare feet. The material is odorless, pH-neutral and is used like bark mulch. The layer should be at least five centimeters thick to prevent weeds from growing.
tips
After application, moisten the reed chaff with a little water. This will prevent the material from being directly carried away by the wind.