GARDEN FANATIC: Mulch ado about mulch materials

Loose layers of organic or inorganic materials that are placed on the soil surface are mulches. The cultural practice of mulching serves many purposes — a 2-inch-thick layer insulates the soil from rapid changes in temperature and conserves water for plantings in the process. It reduces competition from weeds, prevents unsightly mud from splashing onto foliage and flowers, protects falling fruit from injury and gives the garden a “finished” look.

Almost anything that can be composted may be used for mulching.

Leaves, cow and horse manure, straw, grass cuttings, peat moss, pine cones and needles, coconut fiber, sawdust, wood chips, shredded bark, buckwheat hulls, ground corn cobs, burlap, and prepared paper are the principal materials.

Planter mixes, redwood compost, and composted, recycled green waste (see below) are excellent mulching materials for ornamental and fruit trees, shrubs, roses, vegetable beds, perennial and annual borders and rock gardens. They serve the dual purpose of providing plant food.

Commercial products from Roger’s, Bandini and Kellogg’s are also good products for mulching, if you don’t have the space or inclination to setup a compost pile.

Azaleas, camellias, gardenias and other acid-loving plants greatly benefit from mulch of azalea mix, leaf mold or peat moss. The organic products can also be worked into the soil and become available as plant food, but the roots of camellias and azaleas should not be disturbed while working in the amendment

Inorganic mulches are materials that do not decompose, so they are more permanent than organic mulches. Available materials include gravel sand and plastics.

These are more expensive, but last longer than organic mulches.

One may conclude that from the point of view of their primary purpose — holding surface moisture — that all of the mulches mentioned are useful.

From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, the city of Laguna Beach, Tierra Verde Industries and Waste Management of Orange County will offer free compost to Laguna Beach residents, at the Act V Lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road.

This compost, recycled from green waste by the city’s residential recycling program, is ideal to mulch your garden. See you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is happily married to award-winning writer Catharine Cooper, and has four dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to plantman2@mac.com.