Maggots in Compost Pile: What it Means & What To Do As it breaks down slowly, it adds beneficial nutrients to the soil. If applied in the spring flowers can grow around and through the leaves, giving your garden a natural appearance. Read this guide to discover the best lawn care services to exterminate unwanted weeds. Further adding to the attraction, pea gravel comes in a range of colors including rust, gray, ecru and white. Damp, shredded papers suppress weeds and aid moisture retention. Let the shredded leaves dry out before adding them to your garden to reduce bacteria growth and. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. Frequently used on flower beds and around small bushes and shrubs, bark and wood chips are known to provide nutrients to the soil as they decay. This means that one application is often enough to last throughout the growing season. If you happen to live near the ocean, crushed seashells present themselves as an obvious possibility for free mulch. Mulching with straw or hay also provides a home for beneficial insects, which further boosts your garden and plants. How to Harvest Lettuce Properly For Regrowth. The following ideas will be inappropriate in some situations but a lifesaver in others. The purpose of mulch is to protect seeds from the erosion effect of water, retain moisture, suppress weeds, and is used in winter to protect plants against frost heaving, but not everyone is a fan, and it might be time to avoid affordable alternatives. If you decide to use pebbles or rocks, know that they can be difficult to remove if you decide to switch to a different type of mulch a season or two down the line. Unlike regular gravel which can be uneven, pea gravel is typically small, round and smooth. 4 Types of Fertilizer and How to Choose One, When to Use Compost and When to Use Mulch, Tips About Choosing and Using Garden Mulches, An Easy Recipe for Compost: "Black Gold" for Your Garden, Why Leaves Should Be Shredded Before Being Used as Mulch, Types of Mulch and Why You Should Use Them. Stones heat up when exposed to the sun. You can also apply compost as a side-dressing during the growing season. If youre looking for a lawn care service to take care of your lawn maintenance, our experts recommend TruGreen as the best lawn care service on the market. Newspaper is often used in a very specific way as a mulch: namely, it is laid down (overlapping the sheets) on top of unwanted grass to kill it. That heat is great if you wish to use them to make compost, but you will want to let them cool off if you plan to use them as a mulch around your perennial or annual flowers. Landscape fabric or geotextiles typically come in rolls 3 to 4 ft wide. are attractive and very popular, but they are suitable only for covering small spaces if you are landscaping on a budget. If applied in the winter mulches can prevent the soil from warming up, meaning plants are slower to grow. They are considered more visually pleasing than leaves and since they are acidic enriched mulch, they work extremely well, especially for fresh plants like garlic, tomatoes, onions, chrysanthemums, gardenias, and holly. It can also help to deter weed growth and pests while improving moisture retention. While they are attractive, cocoa bean hulls may not be suitable for every situation. Rake and gather fallen leaves each season and redistribute them above your soil. Allowing grass clippings to remain on the lawn gives your grass a nutritional boost. You can also purchase animal compost, such as Chicken Compost. Gently raking the clippings on a regular basis helps to break up any clumps that may be forming. Never use grass clippings if you have applied chemicals or weed killer to your lawn. The two best examples (more will be discussed below) aregrass clippings and the leaves you rake up in fall. Small 5 pound bags can be found for between $10 and $30 if you only want to apply the gravel to a small area. Adding a second mulch, such as leaves or grass clippings on the top helps to improve the visual appeal as well as helping the newspaper layer to last longer. Full of nutrients and a reliable weed deterrent, you can use leaf mulches everywhere, even on vegetable beds. The long lasting quality of synthetic mulches makes them a good choice for foundation planting as well as use around trees and shrubs that require little regular attention such as fertilization. You can also apply in the fall as long as the soil is warm and moist. You should also never place any chemically treated grass clippings on the compost pile. Pine needles decompose and add nutrients to the soil, just like other organic forms of mulch. Mulch Alternatives: What to Use Instead Of Mulch (2022), Mulch Alternatives: What to Use Instead Of Mulch. Mulching can make your garden look more attractive, but lots of gardeners claim its tiresome, although it can improve your garden structure and while many find the hassle worth it, some do not. Pine mulch is derived from fallen pine needles. How to Lay Sod Above are alternatives that work in any garden. Looking to get rid of the pesky weeds that clutter your healthy lawn? When the growing season is over any remaining hay or straw can simply be raked up and dug into the soil, where it continues to decompose further enriching the soil. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates, .wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-18426 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-18426 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } While rubber mulch can be great it sure has its advantage and disadvantages too. Needs to shred or mulched before leaving them on your lawn. Leaves make quite a great mulch in vegetable and flower gardens. Mowers with clipping collectors on the back typically cost between $100 and $200. This has made shredded newspaper a safe mulch alternatives choice. 10-10-10 Fertilizer: What Is It And How Does It Work? Depending on the size the fabric can cost between $20 and $50 per roll. Unsightly and may not hold well in bad weather. Mulch provides nutrients to soil and plants, , controls soil temperature, and improves the look of, Because rocks dont decompose, they dont provide nutrients to the soil and therefore arent a good choice if youre looking for a nutrient-rich mulch alternative. Rocks are especially economical in cooler climates, where heat retained by rock mulch can extend the growing season. If youre interested in getting full-service lawn care or DIY lawn care products, check out the companies below: Here at House Method, we recommend TruGreen for all your lawn care needs. Grass clippings are a cost-effective mulching option, Right It can also leach small amounts of chemicals into the soil, which can be harmful to some plants. Full of nutritional benefits, a compost heap is also a good way to repurpose kitchen and garden waste. This can save you quite a lot of money since you can find leaves lying around, and it contains nutrients derived from trees, so it keeps your plants healthy. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way. Rubber mulch insulates the soil from heat and cold which makes it an all-season alternative mulch. As well as good mulch alternatives, papers and cardboards are also a good insulating choice in the garden. How to Increase Nitrogen For Plants 9 Ways that Work Pine needles or pine straw are a fresh, dried out alternative to bark. While not attractive, it is at least neutral in color and might not be unacceptable in a, Like black plastic mulch, poly tarps provide a cheaper and easier alternative to bark mulches for covering large areas. Some organic materials available in your own yard can be regarded as sources of free mulch. However, mulch is still considered essential for keeping weeds at bay, hence it does have its advantage and disadvantage. It also helps to keep your garden looking neat and tidy as well as being environmentally friendly. Grass clippings provide the soil with lots of nutrients and although it can take time to decompose, its a natural way to add nutrients to your garden. While this is rich in minerals and nutrients, animal compost is often more expensive than other types of compost. Finding the best lawn fertilizer will help you maintain lush green grass thats an inviting backdrop to any activity. Depending on its components, compost can also be acidic. For years, this was accepted as gospel. They can also improve soil fertility as well as encouraging beneficial soil organisms. Fresh grass clippings are too hot to be used as mulch and may burn your plants. It is important to select your trees carefully and avoid leaves that have scabs or a random bight spot. Typically compost costs between $1.5 and $5 per pound. The cost of compost depends on where you are purchasing it, what it contains, and how much you are buying. How Much Does it Cost to Reseed Your Lawn in 2022. The login page will open in a new tab. This is a cheap alternative depending on how much paper you are using, and it can be used similarly to landscape fabric. Best Lawn Fertilizer When applying, you should also be careful not to smother low growing plants. Despite its many visual benefits, pea gravel can be difficult to apply and keep in place, especially if the area is not lined or closed off. Some cardboard and newspapers are treated with ink that can harm plants. You can expect to pay $600 to reseed a standard 5,000 square foot lawn. In sunnier spots this may need to be doubled. 2022 House Method. Rich in nitrogen, the next entry on our list of mulch alternatives is ideal for vegetable beds. . Applying grass clippings before they can dry out may damage sensitive plants. How to Use Epsom Salt (Plants That Like Epsom Salt), How To Get Rid Of Pricker Bushes (FAQs Included), Lettuce Varieties: Types Of Lettuce For Your Garden. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. Keeping your soil as warm as possible during the winter months enables you to start planting earlier in the spring. Not everyone can deal with the practical reasons why mulch is essential which is why finding substitute comes in handy. If you do not own a wood chipper-shredder, simply spread the leaves out and run the lawn mower over them to shred them (preferably with the bag attachment in place on your mower, so that the leaves are all collected in one place, making it easier to transport them). Buy now: Premium, long-needle pine straw mulch, Left These typically cost around $50, but a sturdier option that can deal with cardboard may cost between $70 and $200. Once organic mulches have rotted down they can be removed or worked into the soil. 3 Reasons to Limit Your Use of Weed and Feed. How to Make Worm Castings + Benefits for Plants and Soil When you just dont have the time or energy (or desire) to maintain good lawn care, youre likely doing some research into comprehensive lawn care services that will provide your yard with what it needs at a reasonable price. Pumice rock, also known as lava or volcanic rock is one of the most popular mulch alternatives because as well as helping the soil retain moisture it also helps to aerate the soil. The rolls can be between 50 and 300 ft long. Cedarwood chips are the most common, as theyre known to keep fleas and other pests away. A layer of shredded leaves can look particularly attractive if used in a natural or forest garden planting scheme. Traditional mulch has been around for years, and its the most common type of mulch but having alternatives help you decide which is best for your lawns and gardens. Newspaper is biodegradable and cardboard decomposes, so your garden gets some nutrients. So you may wonder, "Is there a way to get cheap or free mulch?". Then, add a thin layer of organic mulch on top. Mulch provides nutrients to soil and plants, reduces weed growth, controls soil temperature, and improves the look of lawns and gardens. To cover a square foot of earth it can cost between 50 and 70. Perhaps the best example of free mulch is theleaves you rake in fall. Fresh, grass clippings contain a lot of moisture. While newspapers and cardboards are largely safe to use, avoid colorful or waxy pages. If applied correctly this is one of the most effective mulch alternatives. When applying grass clippings, try to apply too thick a layer. If you are making your own compost make sure that it has completely broken down and is weed free before applying to the garden. Some people use a rubber mulch alternative to reduce fungus and weed growth and insulate soil from hot and cold temperatures. Plant roots below compost mulches may struggle to absorb enough moisture if conditions are too dry. Though bark and wood chips are typically the most common mulch variety, there are other forms that are just as beneficial. If you rake them into a big pile, you can sometimes actually see steam rising from them. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Needs extra time to dry and compost to prevent the potentially damaging heat from affecting plants. If you plan to use newspaper without another type of mulch on top, youll want to shred it before applying it to your garden. Pine cones can be found anywhere on the farm, so its an inexpensive way to bark in the garden. Just be aware of a few drawbacks in using stone mulch: Some gardeners may worry that using mulch with pine needles makes the soil too acidic for plants that do not like alow soil pH. A 2 quart bag can cost between $15 and $20. Some gardeners avoid cocoa bean hulls, instead favoring other mulch alternatives. Many of the mulch alternatives outlined above are organic solutions, breaking down and enriching the soil over time. Read on for the basics of lawn maintenance and our recommended lawn care service provider, TruGreen. Incorporating diseased leaves into your mulches can help the disease to spread around your garden, affecting other plants. However, the color of poly tarps (commonly blue) is often more obtrusive. Maintaining a healthy green lawn requires year-round care. An expensive solution, pumice rock is visually attractive. As well as providing reliable mulch alternatives, you can also use these materials to create or line paths, making them less muddy. Colorful leaves are a versatile, easy to apply solution that brightens up empty beds and borders. Our first entry on our list of mulch alternatives is also one of the most common mulching choices. How Often Should You Water Aloe Vera Plants? If you dont have the time or space to make your own compost, you can buy it online or from a garden or landscaping store. But both of these free mulches should be "prepared" prior to use: Not only will leaves look better as a mulch if shredded first, but they will also function better. Be careful when applying synthetic mulches. Compost tends to enrich the soil and since you can make your compost as well, it doesnt cost much and your yard gets an endless supply of rich organic matter as well. Large variety of plan options tailored to homeowners wants and needs, All services are backed and performed by TruExpert Certified Specialists. Community yard waste collection sites and local tree-care companies may also be able to provide you with larger amounts. In shady areas aim to apply a 3 inch thick layer. It also helps the soil to retain heat throughout the night, helping to protect sensitive plants from temperature drops. In garden areas, "living mulches" are another option worth considering in this context since they are fairly cheap since you are just paying for the seed. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. How to Use Neem Oil for Plants During the summer months the soil may get too hot. Do you want proof? Simply spread along a path, flower or vegetable bed for a natural and effective covering. As well as beneficial insects, snakes may also view them as a good hiding place. Not only do hulls help the soil to retain moisture they also smell sweet and look nice. This type of mulch includes using shells of the cocoa beans, and it does just the same function as your regular mulch. Weve done the research on weed and feed, so you can learn why it might not be the best option. However, they need to be dried out or composted before use to prevent potentially-damaging heat from affecting plants. This makes it one of the most attractive mulch alternatives on our list. While pea gravel doesnt decompose like other suggestions on our list of mulch alternatives it is an attractive and effective option. You can buy bundles of pine needles at your local gardening store or you can gather pine needles from your annual holiday tree and spread them around your garden. Prices can vary depending on the size and brand. Do youhave an area in the yard that is too big to cover with a bark mulch? Black plastic is a widely used landscape mulch in the nursery business. Read on to learn more. Like leaves, another of our mulch alternatives, grass clippings can mat together in wet weather, preventing water from reaching the soil below. It will take you forever to remove them. Another goodsource of free mulch is the grass clippings that are left over after youmow the lawn. If used in this way the compost insulates the roots while slowly releasing nutrients into the soil. This can take time to break down, potentially setting seed or allowing mold to develop. The compost you can make yourself includes coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, water, and dead leaves. Small stones work their way down into the soil.

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cheap alternatives to mulch