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Best mulch?

Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
in Tools and techniques
What is your preferred mulch to use in Spring? 

Best mulch? 15 votes

Compost
60%
ThankthecatLynBagpuss57ShepsgavprechristurnsSuesynPauline 7Jellyfire 9 votes
Bark
6%
[Deleted User] 1 vote
Leaf mould
6%
Blue Onion 1 vote
Other
26%
SlumBright starraisingirloldpulteney72 4 votes

Posts

  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    Compost
    I had to put compost as it's all I have used .
    West Yorkshire
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Other
    Other because I use a mixture of things. I do use bark (large beds with acid loving shrubs) and compost (veg beds get priority). I've not yet got myself organised to make leaf mould. I also use a manure/compost blend (flower beds, especially roses, where there are no ericaceous plants) and a grit/compost blend (areas where I'm trying to grow plants that aren't really suitable for my clay soil - with mixed results). I use pure grit here and there, too - round the bearded iris, for example.
    It sounds complicated but actually it's just a hodge-podge - I'm going to weed that bit this weekend, what have a I got to mulch with? And, if nothing suitable, what shall I buy a few bags of? So the general flower beds - which is most of it - might get pure compost, or bark chips if that's what I happen to have. I do try to weed and mulch all of them every spring. I'm way behind this year - haven't even started.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Compost
    I use a mixture too, 50/50 mix of compost and manure.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Depends what it's for. 

    Compost if I'm replenishing nutrients and improving clay or sand - have both in this garden.

    Chipped bark if I want to suppress weeds on ornamental beds or under fruit bushes and trees.

    Leaf mold - haven't got any yet but there are old compost bags full of it, quietly decomposing into something wonderful I hope.

    Cardboard to keep veggie beds clear over winter.

    Second hand plastic sheeting for keeping weeds in the dark till we get round to making the next new beds.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Other
    Oh yes, Obs, I'd forgotten that. Old carpet for sheet mulching future beds
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Compost
    Compost, only home made though mixed with FYM.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Thick layer of ericacious compost (I have alkaline clay) on flower beds and composted manure/compost mix for veggies. Leaf mould and homemade compost when my first batch is ready this autumn.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • ThankthecatThankthecat Posts: 421
    Compost
    Garden compost on my flower garden, because it's free :smiley: Empty veg beds have a range of items covering them from old groundsheets to empty compost bags! New beds awaiting fruit bushes are being covered with cardboard and then bark when we can afford it. 
  • christurnschristurns Posts: 5
    Compost
    This is the first year we’ve ever mulched and just used some home made compost. Looking forward to seeing how much of a difference it makes with the weeds!
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