There are many types of mulch used for gardens in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area. Some of the most common are pinestraw, tree bark and nuggets, wood chips, leaves, rubber pieces and rocks. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type including holding moisture, preventing erosion, color, cost, availability and ease of handling. Most mulch assists in holding moisture, discourages to some degree the growth of unwanted plant life and warms the soil by absorbing sunlight.
In some areas of the Southeast pinetrees and thus pinestraw is plentiful. In Middle Tennessee it is not found as often but there are locations where smaller pinetrees grow. Found near your garden the straw can be raked and placed where needed and in sufficient quantity at no cost. If not it can be purchased usually in bale bundles and dispersed as needed. A big advantge is straw can be handled by hand and a rake, is relatively light and does not require a wheelbarrow and shovel. It can be used on slopes or flatland and helps reduce erosion. Landscape pins can be used in eroding areas to help prevent erosion.
Wood chips can come from a tree or tree spump in your yard that is grounded up. This usually requires the use of chipping machinery either rented, purchased or brough in by a landscaping service. Chips can also be purchased. They can be spread by dumping with a wheelbarrow and raked around or dumped from a bag. The initial color mat change over time. Since bacteria and fungi feed on chips, absorbing nitrogen, your plants may require a supplement of nitrate fertilizer. As they decompose chips will require replenishing.
Bark chips are much the same as wood chips and are often used in combination. However, bark chips used by themselves do not require additional nitrates.
There are many types of mulch used for gardens in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area. Some of the most common are pinestraw, tree bark and nuggets, wood chips, leaves, rubber pieces and rocks. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type including holding moisture, preventing erosion, color, cost, availability and ease of handling. Most mulch assists in holding moisture, discourages to some degree the growth of unwanted plant life and warms the soil by absorbing sunlight.
In some areas of the Southeast pinetrees and thus pinestraw is plentiful. In Middle Tennessee it is not found as often but there are locations where smaller pinetrees grow. Found near your garden the straw can be raked and placed where needed and in sufficient quantity at no cost. If not it can be purchased usually in bale bundles and dispersed as needed. A big advantge is straw can be handled by hand and a rake, is relatively light and does not require a wheelbarrow and shovel. It can be used on slopes or flatland and helps reduce erosion. Landscape pins can be used in eroding areas to help prevent erosion.
Wood chips can come from a tree or tree spump in your yard that is grounded up. This usually requires the use of chipping machinery either rented, purchased or brough in by a landscaping service. Chips can also be purchased. They can be spread by dumping with a wheelbarrow and raked around or dumped from a bag. The initial color mat change over time. Since bacteria and fungi feed on chips, absorbing nitrogen, your plants may require a supplement of nitrate fertilizer. As they decompose chips will require replenishing.
Bark chips are much the same as wood chips and are often used in combination. However, bark chips sused by themselves do not require additional nitrates.
There are many types of mulch used for gardens in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area. Some of the most common are pinestraw, tree bark and nuggets, wood chips, leaves, rubber pieces and rocks. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type including holding moisture, preventing erosion, color, cost, availability and ease of handling. Most mulch assists in holding moisture, discourages to some degree the growth of unwanted plant life and warms the soil by absorbing sunlight.
In some areas of the Southeast pinetrees and thus pinestraw is plentiful. In Middle Tennessee it is not found as often but there are locations where smaller pinetrees grow. Found near your garden the straw can be raked and placed where needed and in sufficient quantity at no cost. If not it can be purchased usually in bale bundles and dispersed as needed. A big advantge is straw can be handled by hand and a rake, is relatively light and does not require a wheelbarrow and shovel. It can be used on slopes or flatland and helps reduce erosion. Landscape pins can be used in eroding areas to help prevent erosion.
Wood chips can come from a tree or tree spump in your yard that is grounded up. This usually requires the use of chipping machinery either rented, purchased or brough in by a landscaping service. Chips can also be purchased. They can be spread by dumping with a wheelbarrow and raked around or dumped from a bag. The initial color mat change over time. Since bacteria and fungi feed on chips, absorbing nitrogen, your plants may require a supplement of nitrate fertilizer. As they decompose chips will require replenishing.
Bark chips are much the same as wood chips and are often used in combination. However, bark chips sused by themselves do not require additional nitrates.
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