Gardening experts highly recommend mulch. Mulch can be created from various materials, such as grass clippings, leaves, and straw. Wood chip mulch is a common resource that might spark debate due to its environmental impact.
Your plants will benefit greatly from both the addition of mulch and compost. However, there are differing opinions regarding the kind of organic matter most beneficial to soil. But there are several circumstances in which wood mulch is not the best option!
In light of this, this blog post will discuss the many uses of wood chip mulch and why gardeners should use it. Incorporating this highly helpful substance into your environment and boosting the growth of your garden requires knowledge and action.
What Is Wood Chip Mulch?
This is a very important question; we’ll answer it in detail below. If you want your garden to thrive, you need to know what kinds of mulch are out there and use them wisely.
1. Arborist Chip Mulch
Chips like these are a consequence of tree trimming or other arborist activity in your area. Everything from berries and roots to limbs and leaves is fair game for an arborist or tree service.
These are wood chips made from natural, organic material. Arborist wood chips are often made from tree trimming and removal waste products. This wood can be from very young trees or very old ones.
2. Bark Mulch
Bark mulch is comprised of shredded tree bark that originates from various trees. The vast majority originate specifically from trees and the individuals who work with them. It is a mulch that absorbs moisture and is sold in flake form. The tiny particulate can frequently be found to be full of slivers, and it tends to become matted together readily, yet it has an attractive appearance when used in a garden.
3. Bagged Wood Chip
You can usually find this in a garden centre or hardware shop. Tree bark mulch consists of pieces between 2 and 3 inches in size. Natural and organic tree matter purchased from a lumberyard, tree service, or wood chipped on a large scale are all possibilities.
Bagged wood chips typically come from trees already utilised in industry rather than freshly cut trees. However, purchasing these will result in the acquisition of disposable plastic bags that will ultimately wind up in a landfill.
4. Shredded Wood Mulch
This is the kind of crap you can find in people’s backyards. Crushed wood mulch is often made of finely crushed material like pine shavings and may be coloured. This mulch is typically less than 1″ in size, making it an excellent aesthetic choice.
It is a waste product from the paper and lumber industries that prevents weed growth and creates visual homogeneity. However, it has a downside in that its fineness can cause it to clump and delay drainage.
5. Modified Wood Chip
It’s possible that they are treated wood chips in plastic bags. It’s possible to use insecticides and herbicides on them to keep unwanted pests and weeds out of your garden.
When the HOA has authorised a specific shade of mulch, this product is commonly used. They are sometimes stained a certain colour or coated with a reflective material. They could have both chemical and organic components.
Consider any wood chips treated with an additive to counteract the presence of pests or weeds, suppress the spread of fire, or impart a desired hue. As before, it comes in plastic bags, adding to the waste stream.
List Of Pros of Wood Chip Mulch
Over Time, Wood Chips Decompose In The Soil.
Rubber and synthetic mulches may protect your investment for longer, but they aren’t beneficial to the soil in any way. Over the course of a year, the wood chip mulch’s organic components will decompose and replenish the soil in your flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Although this can throw your systems out of whack if they are at or near peak health, adding this mulching option at the beginning of planting season can greatly improve the performance of soils lacking in fertility.
Keep Weeds Out Of The Lawn
Mulches made of wood chips are dense, and using an appropriate amount around a plant can help limit the likelihood that weeds will grow there. In practice, it is very similar to stopping the growth of weeds by covering the ground with a plastic mat; the main difference is that this cover offers additional advantages in addition to preventing weed growth.
It Will Raise Plant Soil Temperatures In Winter
When applied at the proper depth on top of the soil, mulch acts as an insulator, protecting your perennials from the harsh winter elements. It keeps the surface temperatures more stable, allowing you to grow healthier crops come spring. In addition, you will experience less damage from frost when it is in place, and this will not result in a reduction in the quantity of moisture that is able to reach the roots of your plants whenever snow falls on your property.
Add Mulch To Prevent Soil Erosion
Using wood chip mulch, you can protect your flower beds and gardens from erosion while adding a decorative touch. Suppose you utilise objects larger than shavings or dust to create a hard surface with sufficient strength to reinforce practically every area.
In that case, the naturally occuring pieces will become stuck together when they experience dampness or wind movement. This can be accomplished by using items such as wood chips. You should rake and fluff the bark just enough to enable moisture in without worrying about the soil’s stability if you’re worried about the shield’s effects throughout the growing season.
Wood Chip Mulch Attracts Earthworms
Using mulch from organic materials in your flowerbeds and gardens will attract more earthworms. Most problems with soil health may be traced back to their absence, as they are essential for nutrient cycling and soil structure. If your soil is in bad condition, adding a layer of commercial topsoil and wood chip mulch will hasten its improvement.
Environmentally Clean
Wood mulches are essentially plants, making them an organic choice for your garden or compost piles, provided they weren’t made from recycled lumber. Again, those may have been preserved with chemicals. The wood chipper’s fuel needs are met entirely by the mulch it produces. In all other respects, this is a much more pristine source than commercial fertilisers.
It Can Improve Soil Moisture Retention
Moisture retention is a challenge for plants grown in the open. Much of the soil’s surface water can evaporate that day, leaving little to drink. Less of it runs off when you use wood chip mulch in your yard and gardens. If you rake and fluff the mulch around once a month, you can reduce the water your plants need.
Wood Chip Mulch Can deter Pests
There are some trees that naturally repel insects and rodents. By mulching your garden and flowerbeds with wood chips made from cedar, pine, or cypress, you can help control flea infestations that may exist on your land. You can also use the same strategies to get rid of gnats and ticks that may have settled in your yard. Because of the potential for pests and fire, wood shouldn’t be placed directly next to a building. Instead, keep it away from the house, in places like flower beds and around trees.
Cons Of Wood Chip Mulch, Listed In List Form
It Can Cause Tree And Shrub Diseases
Wood chip mulch can be used around trees and shrubs, but it should be applied so that it does not accumulate at the base or along the trunk. If that happens, you risk exposing them to diseases or fungi that can swiftly weaken their immune systems and health. Mulching trees near your home can weaken the trunk, making it more likely that the tree will fall over in a storm.
An Incorrect Application Can Cause Issues
Particularly in the case of trees, using the incorrect application method can bring about disease in your plant. Mould growth and rotting are potential outcomes, as can the smothering of the plant’s roots in some instances. When applying any fertiliser to a plant, the standard procedure is to do so in a circular pattern around the plant at a distance as great as feasible from the plant’s primary stem. This procedure can also be used for mulches that do not consist of wood chippings.
You Increase Your Property’s Fire Hazard
The use of wood chips or shavings as landscaping material increases the risk of fire to homes and other outdoor structures. Even though this problem is more prevalent in arid and hot environments, it is still something that everyone should be aware of. Avoid a major disaster by keeping all fire sources, including stoves, lanterns, and lighters, at least three feet from your Mulchmulch.
With this disadvantage, wind also becomes a major issue. Because they are lighter than other types of mulch, the chips or shavings may drift away if a strong enough wind blows.
Fungal Growth May Increase
Vegetable plants prefer soil rich in bacteria, which is great news if you’re planning to start a garden. They will use the nutrients in the organic matter to grow and produce throughout the season. Wood chip mulch provides excellent protection for this area and can extend the product’s useful life by several years. As the fungi spread and take over your garden, you may see a drop in output. Because organic components are used, this procedure can produce issues in some settings in as little as two to three years.
Your Termite Risk Will Increase With This Option
Adding wood chip mulch to the yard or garden will attract more termites to your home if you already have an infestation. You’re inviting these insects to investigate your home for weaknesses by providing them with a food source-the organic stuff you’re adding.
Since they are little, the actual problem may not be all that big, but the stress it causes may be enormous. Wood chip mulch is not a good idea for beds close to your home because termite damage is usually not covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Compared To Other Options, Mulch Compacts More Over The Season.
Using wood chips and shavings as mulch causes beds to compact over time due to the weight of the organic material. Thinner and smaller pieces decompose more rapidly outdoors, so you’ll need to frequently rake what you put into the garden to keep it from forming a thick, worthless layer over the soil.
When you first start to notice this drawback, the wood chip mulch might become so dense that it can prevent water from reaching the roots of your plants. This can be a significant disadvantage. Additionally, it may obstruct the flow of air, which may result in root rot and an increase in fungal development.
Not All Plants Need Wood Chip Mulch
Wood chip mulch is not ideal for use around vegetables because of the problem of nitrogen theft. Nitrogen is necessary for the breakdown of materials. The decomposition of wood chips uses up some of the nitrogen in the soil, which can negatively impact nitrogen-dependent plants.
Wood chip mulch works best around plants in soil at least a few inches deep. If you must use wood mulch, place it directly on top of a layer of leaves, ideally the green ones.
So, first, you have your topsoil, then your leaf mulch, and then your wood mulch. The question is, “Why green?” Nitrogen is abundant in green leaves. Instead of using soil nutrients, the mulch can absorb these.
Consider Tree Problems With Wood Chip Mulch
Pine tree shavings and chips increase acidity in the soil. Thus, they shouldn’t be used if you’re cultivating plants that need a neutral pH. Mulch made from the wood of a black walnut tree is poisonous and should never be used. You are responsible for evaluating the overall quality of any commercial product you use on your property, as the mulch from infected trees will further spread the problem.
Maintaining Ratios Requires More Composted Manure
Wood chips have a higher carbon-to-nitrogen ratio than other landscaping options, so you may need to apply a lot of composted manure in the garden or beds of flowers to compensate for the imbalance. Most plants prefer a ratio of 30:1 or less. Still, new wood mulch can quickly increase the soil’s ratio to 90:1. To get the same results from stabilising the soil as you would from composting with the manure, it would be more efficient to use the manure for composting from the start.
Conclusion
Wood chip mulch is a popular choice for gardeners due to its environmental benefits and potential benefits. It can be made from various materials like grass clippings, leaves, and straw. There are several types of mulch, including arborist chip mulch, bark mulch, bagged wood chip, crushed wood mulch, and modified wood chip.
Arborist chip mulch is made from natural, organic material, while bark mulch is made from shredded tree bark. Bagged wood chips come from trees already used in industry but are often found in landfills. Shredded wood mulch is a waste product from the paper and lumber industries that prevents weed growth and creates visual homogeneity. Modified wood chips are treated with insecticides and herbicides to keep pests and weeds out of your garden.
Over time, wood chip mulch decomposes in the soil, replenishing it over a year. This can improve the performance of soils lacking fertility. It also helps keep weeds out of the lawn by preventing their growth. When applied at the right depth, mulch acts as an insulator, protecting perennials from harsh winter elements and allowing healthier crops to grow.
Additionally, mulch can prevent soil erosion by creating a decorative surface with enough strength to reinforce every area. Rake and fluff the bark to allow moisture in without worrying about soil stability. Wood chip mulch attracts more earthworms, which are essential for nutrient cycling and soil structure. In bad soil conditions, adding a layer of commercial topsoil and wood chip mulch can hasten its improvement.
Wood chip mulch is an environmentally friendly alternative to commercial fertilizers, as it is made from plants and can improve soil moisture retention. It can also deter pests by repelling insects and rodents. However, wood chips should not be placed directly next to a building, as they can cause tree and shrub diseases, increase property fire hazards, and cause wind damage.
Vegetable plants prefer soil rich in bacteria, which can be protected by wood chip mulch. However, this method may attract more termites to the home, increasing the stress they cause. Additionally, mulch compacts more over time due to its weight, making it difficult to maintain soil quality. Wood chip mulch is not ideal for use around vegetables due to nitrogen theft, which can negatively impact nitrogen-dependent plants. Instead, it works best around plants in soil at least a few inches deep and should be placed directly on top of a layer of leaves, ideally green ones.
Pine tree shavings and chips increase acidity in the soil, so they should not be used for plants that need a neutral pH. Mulch made from black walnut wood is poisonous and should never be used. Maintaining soil ratios requires more composted manure, as wood chips have a higher carbon-to-nitrogen ratio than other landscaping options. Most plants prefer a 30:1 or less ratio, but new wood mulch can quickly increase the soil’s ratio to 90:1. To achieve the same results from stabilizing the soil as composting with manure, it would be more efficient to use the manure for composting from the start.
Content Summary
- Gardening experts highly endorse Mulchmulch.
- Mulch can be made from various materials, including grass clippings and leaves.
- Wood chip mulch has environmental impact concerns.
- Both mulch and compost benefit plants significantly.
- The best type of organic matter for soil is debated.
- Some circumstances suggest wood mulch isn’t the best option.
- Arborist Chip Mulch results from tree trimming activities.
- Arborist wood chips include everything from berries to tree limbs.
- Bark Mulch consists of shredded tree bark.
- Bark mulch has an appealing look but can clump together.
- Bagged Wood Chip can be found in garden centres.
- Bagged wood chips often come in disposable plastic bags.
- Shredded Wood Mulch is frequently used for aesthetic purposes.
- Modified Wood Chips might contain both chemical and organic components.
- Wood chips decompose over time, benefiting the soil.
- Wood chips can suppress weed growth.
- Wood mulch can raise soil temperatures during winter.
- Wood chip mulch can help prevent soil erosion.
- Organic mulches attract beneficial earthworms.
- Wood mulches are environmentally friendly.
- They can improve soil moisture retention.
- Certain wood chips deter pests like fleas and ticks.
- Mulch shouldn’t touch building structures due to pest risks.
- Incorrect application of wood chip mulch can cause diseases in trees.
- Accumulating mulch at the base of trees can be harmful.
- Wood chips can be a fire hazard in some conditions.
- Wind can cause wood chips to scatter.
- Excessive fungal growth may reduce garden productivity.
- Using wood mulch near homes can increase termite risks.
- Wood chip mulch tends to compact more than other options.
- Compaction can prevent water and air reaching plant roots.
- Nitrogen theft can be a concern with wood chip mulch.
- Wood chip mulch isn’t ideal for vegetables due to nitrogen needs.
- Layering is suggested: topsoil, leaf mulch, then wood mulch.
- Green leaves are rich in nitrogen, benefitting decomposition.
- Pine tree shavings can increase soil acidity.
- Black walnut tree wood mulch is toxic and shouldn’t be used.
- Mulch from infected trees can spread diseases.
- Wood chips require more composted manure due to their high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
- Newly added wood mulch can significantly change soil nutrient ratios.
- Bagged wood chips often come from industrially-used trees.
- Modified wood chips might have herbicides and insecticides.
- Wood mulch offers insulation from harsh winter elements.
- Wood chip mulch provides a decorative touch and prevents erosion.
- Wood chips made from cedar, pine, or cypress can deter pests.
- Incorrect mulch application can lead to mould growth and rot.
- Wood mulch can lead to increased fungal growth in certain situations.
- Mulching around homes can attract termites, posing a risk.
- Wood mulch is not always suitable for all plants.
- Pine chips are not suitable for plants requiring a neutral pH.
FAQs About Wood Chip Mulch
Can Wood Chip Mulch Suppress Weed Growth?
One of the primary benefits of wood chip mulch is its ability to suppress weed growth. The thick layer of mulch prevents weed seeds from contacting the soil, minimising weed proliferation.
How Should Wood Chip Mulch Be Applied?
To apply wood chip mulch:
- Start by preparing the area.
- Clear away weeds and debris and ensure the soil is well-watered.
- Spread a layer of mulch that is 2 to 4 inches thick, taking care to leave space around the base of plants.
What Are The Best Practices For Using Wood Chip Mulch?
It’s important to avoid piling mulch directly against plant stems, as this can lead to rot and provide hiding spots for pests. Additionally, regularly inspect the mulch for signs of compaction or decay and add a fresh layer when needed.
What Type Of Wood Chip Mulch Should I Choose?
The choice between hardwood and softwood mulch depends on your specific needs. Hardwood mulch, derived from deciduous trees, decomposes slowly, providing long-lasting benefits. Softwood mulch, sourced from conifers, breaks down faster, rapidly enriching the soil.
Should I Opt For Bark Mulch Or Wood Chip Mulch?
Bark mulch and wood chip mulch offer distinct advantages. Bark mulch is aesthetically pleasing and decomposes slowly, making it an excellent choice for decorative landscaping. Wood chip mulch, on the other hand, is coarser and excels at weed suppression, making it a practical option for functional gardens.
