Green Patch: 2 Basic Types of Mulch

By Tina Marie Wilcox
Published on May 6, 2010
article image

<p>
<strong>1. Plant-based:</strong> Straw, pine needles, cottonseed hulls, tree bark, shredded tree leaves</p>
<p>
<strong>Best for:</strong> All gardens</p>
<p>
<strong>Don’t forget:</strong> Sprinkle a nitrogen source, such as agricultural cornmeal, on the surface before mulching so that the mulch doesn’t rob the soil of the nutrient as it breaks down.</p>
<p>
<strong>2. Mineral-based:</strong> Coarse sand, greensand, ground granite, lava rock, oyster shells</p>
<p>
<strong>Best for:</strong> Mediterranean natives such as rosemary, sage, thyme and winter savory</p>
<p>
<strong>Don’t forget:</strong> Add more of this type of mulch after a heavy rain and during the winter.</p>
<p>
<hr />
<p>
<em>Tina Marie Wilcox has been the head herb gardener at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas, since 1984. She also writes Yarb Tales, a weekly column for the Ozark Folk Center (</em>
<a href=”http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/” target=”_blank”>www.ozarkfolkcenter.com</a>
<em>).</em>
</p>
<p>Click here for the main article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/green-patch-mulching-tips.aspx”>
<strong>Green Patch: Mulching Tips</strong>
</a>.</p>

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-456-6018
Free health and natural beauty tips from Mother Earth News!