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Now that you know the pros and cons of using organic mulch and inorganic mulch, you can make an informed decision on how to care for your garden. This mulch alternative option not only enhances the appearance of your garden, but it also helps retain soil moisture, reduces erosion and suppresses weeds. Thick layers of leaves that arent collected or removed from the lawn can hinder new growth when the weather starts to warm again. Mulch is a vital tool in any home gardeners shed. It is very important to water your soil prior to mulching. Some of the best mulch alternative groundcover plants to choose from include: Ajuga, Creeping Phlox, Geranium, Myoporum Parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla), Sedum Species and Stachys. A: The frequency with which you mulch your garden depends on the type of mulch you are using and the climate conditions in your area. Recycled tires can be used as planters, mulch rings around trees and flower beds or as pathways through landscaped areas. It offers a few advantages over organic mulches. Be sure to get all of the plant, including the roots, out of the ground. Hay mulch is made from grasses such as straw or alfalfa that have been cut and dried in the field before baling. These nutrients help plants thrive and be more resistant to disease. Flowers may bloom later If you use mulch all year long in your yard, you may find that flowers appear later. They both help to retain soil moisture, and they also have a unique decorative appeal. Often known as a weed barrier, landscape fabric is one of the lesser-used alternatives of mulch. Rubber mulch is made up of 100% recycled rubber, usually reclaimed from tires. You can use this same feature to mulch fallen autumn leaves and leave them on the grass, or collect them in the mowers catcher and then gather them in yard refuse bags to use later as mulch for beds. In addition to beautifying and protecting the soil and other landscaping features, mulch alternatives also have the same moisture retention properties as traditional mulch. Leaves must be mulched or otherwise shredded to leave them on your lawn. It is also very durable and helps suppress weed growth. (1). Organic compost helps hold moisture in the soil and enriches plants and trees with essential minerals and nutrients. No plant benefit Rocks dont provide any nutritional value to the soil and are only for visual effect. One type of inorganic mulching alternative is landscape fabric. It does have the same drawback as rock mulch; however, because it doesnt decompose and return nutrients back into the soil. Organic materials decompose and add nutrients to the ground whereas stones dont add any nutrients. Another potential problem with using tea leaves as mulch is that they may attract animals such as squirrels, raccoons and other rodents. Less maintenance One benefit of using rocks in the garden is that they are a low-maintenance mulch alternative. The vast majority of rocks are inorganic in origin and made of minerals. Q: What are some of the benefits of using mulch? They also have a pleasant chocolate aroma which can be appealing to gardeners! It also complements modern architectural features and more minimalist landscaping. It also helps to retain moisture in the soil and keep weeds at bay. It boasts of a lot of nutrients that are rich for plants and the soil. A layer of pebbles, pea gravel, pumice rocks, or stones can be an attractive addition to a garden landscape. By adding mulch, you are improving your soil and reducing the need to water and pull weeds. A drawback of organic compost is that is can smell quite bad. Instead, pea gravel stones are small stones that are round in shape and very smooth in texture. So, its always best to look for free or cheap alternatives. While mulch is generally beneficial for gardens, it can also have negative effects if not used properly. You can spread out piles of grass clippings to let them dry and fluff them periodically to cut down on matting. And there you have itthe best alternatives that you can get your hands on. This is an environmental-friendly way to reduce the amount of stuff that goes to landfills. Straw mulch is especially useful when you need to cover large areas, such as lawns or larger gardens, because large amounts of it are relatively inexpensive and easy to spread around. You can use them while they are fresh or dried out too. Laying wood chips or shredded bark mulch on soil helps to lock in moisture, keep weeds at bay, and add nutrients as it breaks down. It needs to be reapplied regularly because it decomposes. Straw mulches are great because they suppress weed growths, help to retain moisture, and add nutrients to the soil as they decompose. You dont need to worry because we have compiled a list of the best alternatives to mulch that you can use according to your specific needs. They can be used just by themselves or along with fresh plants and flowers to add a brighter appeal to your front porch, gardens and yards. They also add potassium and other nutrients as they decompose into mulch material over time. Before using rock mulch as a cheaper substitute, its vital to plan your garden. Landscape fabric is unsightly and may not hold up well in bad weather. Metal mulches have several advantages over other mulching materials: they are long-lasting (up to ten years), help control weeds and pests, and reflect heat back up into the soil to improve crop growth. A layer of mulch helps to keep the ground cooler in summer and warmer in winter. One mulch alternative you may not have considered is crushed shells. Cocoa beans have hulls (outer shells) that need to be removed before they are eaten or used in foods and drinks. Q: What are some of the most common types of mulch? Along with retaining moisture from the soil, it also prevents the formation of fungi and mold. In addition to saving you hundreds of dollars leaves also help to keep the plants and soil healthy owing to their nutrient content. Heres what youll need to complete this project successfully. Japanese Beetles: How to Get Rid, Control, and Kill Japanese Beetles (With Pictures), Winter Plants: Outdoor Winter Plants to Grow in The Garden or in Pots, Podocarpus Plant: How to Grow for Podocarpus Hedge or Podocarpus Tree (Podocarpus Macrophyllus), What is Vermiculite: Learn How to Use Vermiculite in the Garden, Great Mulch Alternatives (Also Cheap or Free) Including Rock vs. Mulch, Small Trees for Landscaping Backyard, Front Yard, Small Spaces, Small or Dwarf Weeping Trees for Landscaping (With Pictures), Dwarf Fruit Trees to Grow Indoors or Outdoors. Please add [email protected] to your address book. It often works well when laid down first and then covered with another more aesthetically pleasing mulch, especially in front-yard flower beds where appearances are more of a priority. Less evaporation means you spend less time watering your yard. Moreover, pine needles also provide a more pleasant look to the garden. You can find these things in almost every household which makes it cost effective as well. One of the advantages of using compost is that its a cheapor even freesubstitute for mulch. You will also learn about free or cheap mulch alternatives such as leaves, grass, and newspaper. Use a garden hose and allow the water to soak into the soil 6 to 8. Herb Ground Cover: Easy Mulch Alternative, 3 Steps to Declutter & Organize Your Closet, Tips & Hacks For Holiday Decoration Storage, How to Fix a Leaky Showerhead or Shower Faucet, Water in Basement? Clippings from your recent mowing can be used to mulch more than just the grass itself. You can dry or compost the freshly cut grass and thereafter use it in place of traditional mulch to insulate the soil and protect the plants. However, most people prepare grass cuttings before using them as mulch. You'll find that we've listed the pros and cons for each alternative to mulch to help you keep it straight in your mind. When using eggshells as mulch, be sure to crush them into small pieces so they will decompose more quickly. After deciding what type of mulch you want to use, layer it on your beds about 2" to 4" deep. Q: What are some of the disadvantages of using mulch? Can create an unsightly mess if left out for too long before mulching. Now you know all of the alternative mulching options available to you. We use your Zip Code to connect you to your closest store. Experiment with different mulches to find the one that works best for your garden. Alternative types of mulch such as small colored rocks, pebbles, marble chips, or ornamental stones can add color and provide an aesthetic quality to your garden. Not only do you save money, but you can reuse or recycle certain waste products. You will also have to regularly fertilize plants that are protected by stone mulch as stones dont have any nutrients. To reduce their acidity, dry them out before use. If you have a large garden to care for, you can end up spending a lot of money on mulch. One mulch alternative is pine needles. Made out of ground-up or recycled tires, rubber mulch is commonly used in sports fields, playgrounds or other open landscapes. Straw or hay can be especially useful if you need to mulch a vegetable patch. Remove existing weeds from the area you plan on mulching with a trowel, weeding tool or by hand. Mulch also helps to reduce soil erosion and can double up as a nutrient for plants after decomposing. Mulch is an essential tool for any keen gardener. Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Terms of Use, Our True Value stores are independently owned and operated. Also, unlike organic mulch, pebbles or ornamental stone chips wont blow away. Fire and wind-resistant Pebbles and stones are excellent for your yard if you live in an area with wildfires. They can be used for garden beds as well. Paper mulches can blow away easily and become a tripping hazard, so its best to use them in an area where there wont be people walking on them often. Cocoa bean mulch is excellent for retaining moisture, regulating soil temperature, and weed control. Here are three free mulch alternatives: Leaves In the fall, you have an abundant source of free mulch if you have to rake leaves. Learn more, find a participating store, and enroll at TrueValueRewards.com. Studies show that using mulch around trees, shrubs, and flowers results in healthier plants. Because cardboard decomposes, it returns nutrients to the soil. A layer of crushed shells can help to brighten up a garden. Our advice? We all know about compost. What are some excellent kinds of mulch that cost nothing or next-to-nothing? Gardeners use mulch to help the plant retain moisture, reduce the growth of weeds as well as to insulate the roots of the plants. They also look attractive in between paving, on flower beds, or as pathway or driveway edging. However, they add a different touch to your types of gardens. Pine needles are easy to spread on the ground and easily allow water, oxygen and other nutrients into the soil, while insulating it from the cold. If you treat your lawn with chemicals, dont use them as mulch in your flower or garden beds. 2022 True Value Company, L.L.C. Grass clippings After mowing your lawn, you have a large amount of free organic mulch to use. You can lay down sheets of newspaper to act as weed controlsimilar to landscape fabric. These are not like the regular gravel stones that we see. Want to join? Depending on your yard, some of these alternative mulch ideas may also work better than wood or bark chips. Using shredded cardboard or a layer of cardboard can save you a lot of money when mulching a yard. So, you need to prepare the soil by putting plastic sheeting under the seashell mulch. Metal mulches are made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, copper, brass or steel. Weeds grow through rocks unless you put a weed barrier between the soil and the stones. Another advantage of using grass clippings for mulch is that it is cost-efficient and landfills arent filled with bags of clippings. There is also evidence suggesting that colornot blackink can damage plants. If you are unsure if your cardboard is untreated, it is best that you dont use it in your garden. In addition to being quite convenient to use, they also provide the gardens with a rustic look. 
By adding to commercial mulches, cardboard and newspaper can extend the coverage and save money. Even soil temperature Another reason for using organic mulch is that it helps maintain an even temperature in the soil. They can retain water, look vibrant and have a pleasant sweet smell. They can act as a weed barrier and insulator underneath other types of mulch, or even on their own, if they are shredded. Groundcover plants are great mulch alternatives because they can prevent pesticides from leaching into groundwater by blocking sunlight that could trigger pesticide absorption. Crushed shells can be used as a mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, and they also add calcium and other nutrients to the soil. These clippings need to be dried out thoroughly or composted before use because a pile of freshly cut grass mats and starts to rotcreating potentially plant-damaging heat, making it less than ideal for mulching your garden beds. Furthermore, this garden material also enhances the beauty and appeal of the flowerbeds. Pine needle mulch helps prevent moisture loss and looks attractive as plant bedding. Depending on the kind of mulch, you may have to replace it every one to four years. Bark mulch is a good choice for gardens because it helps to suppress weeds, retains moisture, and adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Rocks dont decompose and are problematic to remove if you change your yard design. Poor soil temperature control In extreme temperatures, rocks can affect the heat of the soil. However, mulch can be expensive and difficult to work with if not used properly. Both bark mulch and rock mulch have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your garden requirements. Lets look in more detail at the various alternatives to mulch. You can also use compost to mulch your garden. Leaves are probably the most easily found and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional mulches. Appearance White stone chips or pebbles are a popular alternative to wood chip mulch. From being one of the most environmentally friendly options to being readily available, compost is also quite easy to make in your own garden. If you use rubber or stone mulch, just check its condition each season to see if it needs replenishing, replacement or rearrangement. 
Newspapers and cardboard can serve as great mulch alternatives since they insulate the soil quite nicely. The frequency with which you mulch your garden depends on the climate conditions and type of mulch you are using. Rick is a home design consultant and enthusiast, whose life is consumed by all things home and garden. The nutrients in the dried organic material help vegetables thrive. A disadvantage is, because they do deteriorate, they need to be reappliedusually each season. This is easily remedied by periodically applying fertilizers, giving plants an extra nutritional boost. With True Value Rewards, you can earn points for every purchase toward future savings. Q: What is the best type of mulch for my garden? Landscape fabric can be easily damaged by gardening techniquesdigging, weeding, or planting flowers. A layer of pine needles in your garden is another mulch alternative that you can use. However, rocks tend to turn earth into a more alkaline state. Additionally, they can be a fire hazard, so be sure to keep them away from any heat sources. So, use other mulch substitutes if you have dogs in your yard. There is some debate among gardening aficionados about whether colored ink from newspaper is hazardous to plants and soil. Cover your garden with one of the following alternatives and save your time, money as well as effort when it comes to enhancing the aesthetics of your garden. Dont let them sit on your grass during the fall and winter seasons. Rocks are a popular alternative to bark mulch due to their attractive appearance. Hay and straw mulches can be expensive, and they must be replaced more often than some other mulching materials. One of the biggest draws of organic mulches is they deteriorate and decompose naturally over time, returning nutrients to the soil and making it ideal for productive plant growth. Cost Initially, using rocks or pebble mulch on flower beds is more expensive. Keep reading to find out more. However, pine needles can be difficult to work with, as they tend to form clumps. Although you can just put leaves on your flower or vegetable patch, it is best to shred them first as it reduces their tendency to blow around in the wind. A vital product in every garden shed, mulch is a material that is spread over a plant or around it to enrich the soil. Remember that cardboard and carton are organic materials that you can use in place of mulch. In addition, they can attract pests, such as termites and carpenter ants. Crushed shells are another type of popular mulch that can be used in place of regular wood chips. Inadequate weed prevention Weeds tend to grow through inorganic mulch. Enter your City & State or zip code to see stores near you. A: If not used properly, mulch can lead to soil compaction, waterlogging, and increased weed growth. If you want to improve plant growth and make your garden beautiful, should you use mulch or rocks? Be careful to keep mulch away from the crown of plants, as it could potentially kill them. You can also find animal compost along with plant compost, which is more enriched with minerals. The best plants to mulch with pine needles include roses, tomatoes, chrysanthemums, gardenias, and holly. In addition, tea leaves add nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Pea gravel stones are also quite aesthetically pleasing and are commonly found near lakes and other bodies of water. One disadvantage of using tea leaves as mulch is that they can be expensive. In this blog post, we will discuss 19 mulch alternatives that are both beautiful and sustainable! Tire mulch comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, green and red, and it is long-lasting (up to five years). Dont just throw it away; you can repurpose your holiday tree. If you need to cover a large plot of land with mulch, then straw or hay can be a cheaper and alternate form of mulch. One small drawback of rock mulch is, because it doesnt decompose, it doesnt return as many nutrients to the soil as biodegradable mulches. They can be expensive and are not widely available. A: Wood chips, leaves, straw, and plastic are all common types of mulch. All rights reserved. Eggshells are a great source of calcium and other nutrients for the soil, and they also help to retain moisture. Because rubber is non-porous, water makes its way directly to the soil underneath without absorbing into the mulch. may need to be replenished every few years. There are a couple of things to remember if you want to use this type of low-cost mulch. Also, cocoa bean hull mulch adds attractive color and pleasant scent to your yard. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Both wood-chip mulch and rock mulch have their pros and cons. In cooler climates, heat retained by rock mulch can often extend the growing season. Can be less effective at preventing weeds than mulch made from organic material. Cardboard and newspaper can be used in a similar fashion as landscaping fabric. However, it lasts for a long time. They will never burn, and they can help protect plants. Bark or wood chip mulch needs replacing every one to four years. So what are you waiting for? One of the most popular mulch alternatives for gardens and landscapes is recycled tires. Another way to beautify and add nutrients to your garden is by using the grass clippings that you would otherwise throw away from your types of lawn mowers with a bagger attachment. Mulch can be made from a variety of materials, including wood chips, leaves, straw, and plastic. It comes in a wide range of qualities which affect its costs. This happens because soil takes longer to warm up in spring, and so plants tend to grow slower. Only use newspapers that are printed with black, not colored ink. It retains moisture, insulates plant roots and reduces weed growth, all while enhancing the visual appeal of flowerbeds and other landscaping features. They can cost more than mulch made of organic materials and may not be readily available in certain areas. Because of this, cardboard and newspaper have an advantage over commercial landscaping fabric, because you wont have to replace it from time to time like you may have to with landscaping fabric. This prevents quick decomposition and too much heat generation. (Pros and Cons), Are Ceiling Fans Outdated? For example, mulch alternatives such as rock mulch, pebbles, crushed shells, straw mulch, or even compost can substitute traditional mulch. Thats it! (15 Ideas). Although landscape fabric can help with some insect control and retain moisture, it doesnt provide any nutritional benefits for the soil. Organic mulches break down steadily over time. Grass clippings are packed with nutrients, and you can put them directly on the areas you need to mulch. Some cardboard is treated with chemicals that can harm your plant. It helps to improve the soils quality and it also attracts beneficial insects. Sawdust is made from the sawing of lumber into small pieces, while wood shavings are made by shaving blocks of wood with a sharp blade. High cost Mulching your flower beds and tree areas with organic matter can be expensive. These cocoa bean hulls are some of the best alternatives to the traditional wood chip mulches. You can experiment with different types of mulch to find the one that works best for you. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Because you have fewer weeds, you have to spend less time weeding. It is best to use them in conjunction with other types of mulch. Making your own compost is easy, and it gives you an endless supply of rich organic matter for your yard. It is made of woven plastic and it helps to conserve water by blocking the suns rays. Straw does everything good mulch should docontrols weeds, locks in moisture, and provides soil with essential nutrients. Also make sure that the compost is free of seeds to prevent weeds from growing. One other drawback is that some types of recycled rubber can leach small amounts of chemicals and minerals into the soil, which, in high concentrations, may harm some types of plants. Dead leaves make great mulches because they are free and easy to obtain, plus they help retain moisture in the soil. Spread out grass cuttings to allow them to dry out first. They also add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Time to consider one of the mulch alternatives. For the best site experience, we suggest turning off compatibility mode or using an updated browser. Newspapers Using old newspapers is another source of free mulch you can use to protect your yard plants. Also, too much of this type of natural fertilizer can make the soil too acidic and burn the plants roots. A major drawback to using sawdust or wood shavings is that they often contain chemicals from the treatment process. One thing to remember when using pine straw for mulch is that its not dog-friendly. Mulch alternatives are great for your garden and can help to reduce weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and add nutrients over time. Wood chips are also a good mulching material because they help to control erosion, add nutrients to the soil, and provide insulation for plants that are susceptible to frost damage. Also, while mulch is quite effective, it can get difficult to maintain and may need regular replacement. 
Rock mulch comes in a variety of colors, and can be used to add interest to your garden. This is where mulch alternatives for landscaping can be of immense help to home gardeners and landscapers. So, lets look in more detail at the pros and cons of organic mulch before examining the value of rock mulch. Cocoa bean hulls are a mulch material that is made from the outer casing of cocoa beans. These mulch materials are made from newspapers or cardboard boxes. They are one of the most common answers to the question of what to use instead of mulch. Pine needleswhile looking attractivecan damage your pet poochs stomach lining if they ingest them. They can be slow to decompose, making them less effective at preventing weeds than mulch made from organic material. Sawdust and wood shavings are two other mulching materials that can be used in gardens and landscapes. This functionality is enabled only for desktop. May not be effective at preventing weeds if not applied properly. (10 Ideas), What Color Granite Goes With Cream Cabinets? From gardens and front yards to patios, driveways, driveway alternatives, and even playgrounds, pea gravels are some of the most commonly used mulch alternatives. There are many other materials that you can use as mulch such as stones or gravel instead of wood chips, leaves, straw, or plastic. Then, use shredded leaves as mulch in your garden. Rocks could even be worse for the earth as they tend to make the soil alkaline. Newspaper mulches are a good choice for gardens because they help to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add nutrients to the soil as they decompose. However, it can be expensive, and its important to make sure that the rocks you use arent sharp, as they could injure your plants. Crushed shell mulch tends to decay slowly and adds calcium to the soil. This is also because they prevent weeds and other crawlers from growing on plants. Mulch is a material that is spread on the surface of the soil to protect plants and help retain moisture.
