Mulch Uses Mulch Thickness Conserves Soil Moderates Soil Erosion Suppress Est. Veg. Improves Soil Reduce Comments Material of Moisture Temp. Control Cover Fertility airborne Application particulates Shredded 2 8 inches Fair Good Fair - Good when Fair Good Poor Poor Fair Good to use between – – Newspaper water kept moist Wind and Subject to garden rows, better (wet to keep penetration is water can wind when covered with in place) fair, dries out remove blowing other organic mulches quickly Manure 1 - 2 inches Good Good Poor - Fair Fair Good Good Fair May contain weed seed, (Partially Can be can burn tender roots decomposed) removed by on vegetable and other water ornamental plants Landscape 1 layer Good Good Fair to Fair - Good Poor Poor Good Can be covered with Fabric (Weed Good Weeds may desired mulch, Barriers) When germinate decomposes very slowly anchored to on top of the soil fabric Black Plastic 1 layer Good Good Good Good Poor Poor Good Labor intensive, Conserves Warms soil When When expensive, does not moisture but will anchored to anchored to decompose, adds not water to the soil the soil nothing to the soil penetrate, may create extreme conditions from water logging soil to drying soil out Pea Gravel 2 inches Fair Good Generally Fair Fair Poor Poor Good Expensive, warms soil intensive, permanent mulch * Mix one of actual nitrogen per 50 lbs. of dry material to provide for decomposition, unless long-term protection is desired.
Mulch Uses Mulch Material Thickness of Application Conserves Soil Moisture Moderates Soil Temp. Erosion Control Suppress Est. Veg. Cover Improves Soil Fertility Reduce airborne particulates Comments Shredded Newspaper (wet to keep in place) 2 – 8 inches Fair – Good water penetration is fair, dries out quickly Fair - Good when kept moist Fair Wind and water can remove Good Poor Poor Fair Subject to wind blowing Good to use between garden rows, better when covered with other organic mulches Manure (Partially decomposed) 1 - 2 inches Good Good Poor - Fair Can be removed by water Fair Good Good Fair May contain weed seed, can burn tender roots on vegetable and other ornamental plants Landscape Fabric (Weed Barriers) 1 layer Good Good Fair to Good When anchored to the soil Fair - Good Weeds may germinate on top of fabric Poor Poor Good Can be covered with desired mulch, decomposes very slowly Black Plastic 1 layer Good Conserves moisture but will not water to penetrate, may create extreme conditions from water logging soil to drying soil out Good Warms soil Good When anchored to the soil Good Poor Poor Good When anchored to the soil Labor intensive, expensive, does not decompose, adds nothing to the soil Pea Gravel 2 inches Fair Good Generally warms soil Fair Fair Poor Poor Good Expensive, intensive, permanent mulch * Mix one of actual nitrogen per 50 lbs. of dry material to provide for decomposition, unless long-term protection is desired.