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How to choose a biodegradable mulch

TheGardenerFromMarsTheGardenerFromMars Posts: 65
in Problem solving
How do you choose which material to mulch with? I'm interested in biodegradable mulches to improve the soil structure and the environment for soil microorganisms. I'm planning to apply it in the autumn in the hope that the soil condition will improve over autumn/winter ready for spring.

Which factors help you to choose between compost, well-rotted manure or chipped bark for mulching?

Thanks!
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited August 2022
    Whatever I can get hold of at least expense/hassle. For me that's homemade compost but I never really have enough of it. Sometimes I put down a layer of brown cardboard with a thinner-than-recommended layer of mulch on top, if it's a suitable-sized area (ie not between close plantings). It seems to work and the worms break it down into the soil.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Availability and cost. Animal derived muck is best - horses or cows kept on straw - but any organic material will improve your soil so I make my own compost. Bark chips are  popular,  although I'm not keen on it because it gets thrown,blown and washed all over the place and I prefer it when it is composted to a nice, crumbly mass. I also have a leaf composter which produces lovely stuff. Some people use mushroom compost but it's not easily available here so I don't know if it's good.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    What is your existing soil like @TheGardenerFromMars and what do you grow or plan to grow in future? 

    I bought some peat free compost from a local supplier in the Spring to spread on all my borders as a mulch.  Although it has made the soil more friable, I'm not convinced it has added much organic matter to the soil or helped with water retention.  I think farmyard manure may be a better bet in future.  Like you, I'd be interested in other gardeners' views.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Unfortunately the word compost is too widely used. The compost you buy in bags for potting up plants isn't really much use on the soil in the garden, unless you want rid of used material at the end of the season. 
    If it's bagged unless it says its for mulch   or if it's manure then don't buy specifically to spread. I agree with previous posts , get loose in bulk if you can. If using bark it's best composted first. 
     
    AB Still learning

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Thank you for your post @Allotment Boy.  I didn't buy MPC from a garden centre, this is the compost I used, recommended by the supplier as a suitable mulch:  Multi Purpose Peat Free Compost by Dandys | Fast Nationwide Delivery. 

    There are other options on their website.  If you have time to browse, I'd welcome your thoughts on these please.  I have light, sandy soil, grow mainly grasses, shrubs and trees, a few perennials, no edibles or annuals.

    I hope this helps you too @TheGardenerFromMars and don't want to sabotage your thread!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • TheGardenerFromMarsTheGardenerFromMars Posts: 65
    Thanks, everyone! So, manure is a good mulch, bark chips are okay but better composted first, and you can’t use any old compost? Could someone clarify how you choose a suitable compost for mulching, please?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    The best compost is made on a compost heap in a garden but you can buy composted manure in bags at the garden centres. Given that you are on Mars, this could be a problem, but where I live, stable owners often give manure away, you just bag it up or pay and they deliver.
    Anything sold in bags for planting into, such as seed compost, mpc andJI compost is not suitable. 
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    I am not sure there is a 'best' compost because there are so many variables. I am lucky as I can get hold of loads of free composted wood chip, a waste product of tree surgery. I collect this and use it as it is or sometimes sieve it to get a finer material. 
    Use whatever is available and cheap. You need to add it in quantity and it needs adding regularly.
  • joanna65joanna65 Posts: 75
    You could try Strulch. I have bought some to try this autumn so cannot really say if it is any good yet. It is a bit pricy but is biodegradable and supposed to keep slugs and snails at bay. Maybe another member has tried it and can advise. 
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    'Fine composted bark mulch' is very good. We use it commercially and its specified by 90% of the experts we work with. It retains moisture extremely well, leeches nutrients into the soil and is dragged down by the worms over the months improving the organic content and structure of the soil (especially good if your no-dig). It also looks quite tidy and doesn't blow about. Smell is questionable but better than manure which should really be composted itself before applying or you just end up with nuggets of horse poo and coarse straw which if you have a dog or kids can become troublesome. 
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