It often works well when laid down first and then covered with another more aesthetically pleasing mulch, especially in front-yard flower beds where appearances are more of a priority. You can spread out piles of grass clippings to let them dry and fluff them periodically to cut down on matting. Cover your garden with one of the following alternatives and save your time, money as well as effort when it comes to enhancing the aesthetics of your garden. One thing to remember when using pine straw for mulch is that its not dog-friendly. This type of plastic material is commonly used as a weed barrier. Recycled tires can be used as planters, mulch rings around trees and flower beds or as pathways through landscaped areas. It should be thick enough to block light and keep weeds from sprouting. A: The frequency with which you mulch your garden depends on the type of mulch you are using and the climate conditions in your area. They can be slow to decompose, making them less effective at preventing weeds than mulch made from organic material. Mulching with newspapers is a great way to recycle paper waste and improve soil health at the same time. It also helps to retain moisture in the soil and keep weeds at bay. Leaves are probably the most easily found and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional mulches. They are one of the most common answers to the question of what to use instead of mulch. Sawdust is made from the sawing of lumber into small pieces, while wood shavings are made by shaving blocks of wood with a sharp blade. Tire mulch is also a great mulching material because it has many other uses. These are not like the regular gravel stones that we see. Using landscape fabric as an alternative to bark chips can be cheaper. By adding to commercial mulches, cardboard and newspaper can extend the coverage and save money. Moreover, straw or hay can also be used to retain the soil moisture, suppress the growth of weed and add nutrients to the soil. (Pros and Cons), Is Crown Molding Outdated or Timeless? Or, you can shred newspaper and mix it in with regular mulch. In cooler climates, heat retained by rock mulch can often extend the growing season. Another way to beautify and add nutrients to your garden is by using the grass clippings that you would otherwise throw away from your types of lawn mowers with a bagger attachment. While mulch is generally beneficial for gardens, it can also have negative effects if not used properly. Because cardboard decomposes, it returns nutrients to the soil. Cocoa bean hulls are a mulch material that is made from the outer casing of cocoa beans. Then, use shredded leaves as mulch in your garden. A: Wood chips, leaves, straw, and plastic are all common types of mulch. Instead, pea gravel stones are small stones that are round in shape and very smooth in texture. Pine needle mulch helps prevent moisture loss and looks attractive as plant bedding. Clippings from your recent mowing can be used to mulch more than just the grass itself. Metal mulches are made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, copper, brass or steel. Also, while mulch is quite effective, it can get difficult to maintain and may need regular replacement. However, rocks tend to turn earth into a more alkaline state. They are also not as effective at retaining water compared with other mulching materials like wood chips or straws (which is why theyre sometimes called fast mulch). However, they add a different touch to your types of gardens. It is also very durable and helps suppress weed growth. This type of organic mulch can be fresh or dried pine needles and is also called pine straw. Dry soil and mulch combined can actually prevent water from soaking into the ground. Inadequate weed prevention Weeds tend to grow through inorganic mulch. Replenish when just a thin layer remains. Grass clippings After mowing your lawn, you have a large amount of free organic mulch to use. Organic mulches break down steadily over time. They also add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil as they decompose. They can be used just by themselves or along with fresh plants and flowers to add a brighter appeal to your front porch, gardens and yards. It helps to improve the soils quality and it also attracts beneficial insects. How to Start Seeds Indoors for Spring, How to Protect Your Landscape from Road Salt. A layer of mulch helps to keep the ground cooler in summer and warmer in winter. There are many other materials that you can use as mulch such as stones or gravel instead of wood chips, leaves, straw, or plastic. Weeds grow through rocks unless you put a weed barrier between the soil and the stones. Because of this, cardboard and newspaper have an advantage over commercial landscaping fabric, because you wont have to replace it from time to time like you may have to with landscaping fabric. shutters plantation types different The list below has some of the best mulch substitutes you can use. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the right type of mulch. Shredded or mulched leaves from deciduous trees can make great mulch for both your garden beds and your lawn. Depending on your yard, some of these alternative mulch ideas may also work better than wood or bark chips. What are some excellent kinds of mulch that cost nothing or next-to-nothing? While many people rely on shredded wood or bark mulch for their garden and yards, there are a number of mulching alternatives you might not have considered using to pamper your plants and soil. Commonly known as lava rock or volcanic rock, pumice rocks are some of the best alternatives to mulch. cayman environment coral reef islands department climate change human effects effect much university warm control due Choose an alternative that is good to look at, but also provides nutrients and minerals to the soil and plants and lasts a long time. They also add potassium and other nutrients as they decompose into mulch material over time. Because bark mulch substitutes can have different effects on soil and plants, well also discuss the pros and cons of organic mulch and using rocks in the garden. If not crushed into smaller pieces before application, they may also attract rodents and other wildlife who want to eat them. Organic compost is a mulch alternative that is made of organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps. However, before choosing an alternative to traditional much, ensure that you know what purpose you need the mulch alternative to serve. Also, decide the kind of aesthetics you want your garden to have, along with what time of the year you are using the mulch. All you need to do is run your lawnmower over the leaves to shred them. Even soil temperature Another reason for using organic mulch is that it helps maintain an even temperature in the soil. Made out of ground-up or recycled tires, rubber mulch is commonly used in sports fields, playgrounds or other open landscapes. You dont need to worry because we have compiled a list of the best alternatives to mulch that you can use according to your specific needs. Enter your City & State or zip code to see stores near you. Rock, gravel, pebbles and other stones can be applied to landscaping features such as flowerbeds to suppress weed growth and retain moisture. Learn more, find a participating store, and enroll at TrueValueRewards.com. Crushed shells can be used as a mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, and they also add calcium and other nutrients to the soil. They also help to retain moisture in the soil, and add nutrients over time. Still, its not as attractive, its disposal as a plastic material is an environmental problem, and its more labor-intensive. One of the most popular substitutes for organic mulch is rocks. Leaves must be mulched or otherwise shredded to leave them on your lawn. Traditional mulch tends to lose its color over time and has less aesthetic value than ornamental pebbles. However, several mulch alternatives are cheaper or even free. Cocoa beans have hulls (outer shells) that need to be removed before they are eaten or used in foods and drinks. Landscape fabric can be easily damaged by gardening techniquesdigging, weeding, or planting flowers. Excellent for healthy soil The most significant benefit of organic mulch is that it improves soil health. Pea gravel stones are also quite aesthetically pleasing and are commonly found near lakes and other bodies of water. You can lay down sheets of newspaper to act as weed controlsimilar to landscape fabric. One major disadvantage of tire mulch is that it tends to absorb water rather than retain moisture in the soil, which means that you will need to water more often. Both wood-chip mulch and rock mulch have their pros and cons. Organic compost is a great way to add nutrients to soil and provide a layer of protection at the same time. Another advantage of using grass clippings for mulch is that it is cost-efficient and landfills arent filled with bags of clippings. Newspaper mulches are a good choice for gardens because they help to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Bark or wood chip mulch needs replacing every one to four years. Some of the best mulch alternative groundcover plants to choose from include: Ajuga, Creeping Phlox, Geranium, Myoporum Parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla), Sedum Species and Stachys. This versatile, cheap gardening mulch can be used in a similar way to landscape fabriconly much more eco-friendly. A 1- or 2-inch (2.5 5 cm) layer of pine needles helps protect plants from frost and prevent soil from getting too hot in summer. Appearance White stone chips or pebbles are a popular alternative to wood chip mulch. A major drawback to using sawdust or wood shavings is that they often contain chemicals from the treatment process. Use a garden hose and allow the water to soak into the soil 6 to 8. The frequency with which you mulch your garden depends on the climate conditions and type of mulch you are using. 2022 True Value Company, L.L.C. This is also because they prevent weeds and other crawlers from growing on plants. One other drawback is that some types of recycled rubber can leach small amounts of chemicals and minerals into the soil, which, in high concentrations, may harm some types of plants. You can also mix the grass clippings with shredded leaves, other mulch or with compost to facilitate decomposition without putrefaction. Soil health when comparing mulch and rocks, its clear that wood shavings or bark chips are better for the soil. Started as a hobby, Worst Room has grown into an information and inspiration wheelhouse for professionals and home owners alike. We use your Zip Code to connect you to your closest store. One type of inorganic mulching alternative is landscape fabric. Most pumice rocks are bright and rusty, which adds to the beauty of the flowerbeds and plants. Or you can mix cardboard or carton with different kinds of mulch. Apart from being an excellent alternative to wood chips, fresh pine mulch also gives off a pleasant scent. (Pros and Cons), Are Shutters Outdated or Timeless? Organic materials decompose and add nutrients to the ground whereas stones dont add any nutrients. These mulch materials are made from newspapers or cardboard boxes. For the best site experience, we suggest turning off compatibility mode or using an updated browser. You can dry or compost the freshly cut grass and thereafter use it in place of traditional mulch to insulate the soil and protect the plants. driveway edging gravel stone driveways chip granite landscaping wood border pea cobblestone adds google chips tar grass edge distinctive keeps You can also use landscape fabric to control weeds if you use rocks or pebbles as an alternative. However, most people prepare grass cuttings before using them as mulch. If you want to improve plant growth and make your garden beautiful, should you use mulch or rocks? Hay mulch is made from grasses such as straw or alfalfa that have been cut and dried in the field before baling. Both bark mulch and rock mulch have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your garden requirements. In addition to being quite convenient to use, they also provide the gardens with a rustic look. However, it lasts for a long time. Also, the acidic nature of pine needles is suitable for ground that is too alkaline. Remember that cardboard and carton are organic materials that you can use in place of mulch. So, if youre in doubt about this cheap mulch, its best to look for an alternative. Less evaporation means you spend less time watering your yard. One major disadvantage of metal mulches is that they can be expensive. In summer, stones become hot, which increases evaporation and can stress plants. Pea gravel is a great mulch alternative for those who want a natural look to their garden. You'll find that we've listed the pros and cons for each alternative to mulch to help you keep it straight in your mind. (Pros and Cons), Are Valances Out of Style or Timeless? Flowers may bloom later If you use mulch all year long in your yard, you may find that flowers appear later. It is a good mulching material because it helps to control erosion, add nutrients to the soil, and provide insulation for plants that are susceptible to frost damage. Also, cocoa bean hull mulch adds attractive color and pleasant scent to your yard. Removing rock mulch, especially fine pea gravel, is a difficult task. They can act as a weed barrier and insulator underneath other types of mulch, or even on their own, if they are shredded.