Mulch refers to any material that you spread over the surface of your soil. This can help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing. In addition to this, mulch can help prevent your soil from freezing during the winter months of the year while also keeping your soil cool during summer. Mulch can be made from plastic, fabric, stone, and even organic materials such as wood, paper, and straw. Organic mulch can even enrich the soil as it breaks down and decomposes.

When adding mulch to your garden, there are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind. To help you use mulch effectively, we have listed some of the most important dos and don’ts down below.

Here are some of the dos and don’ts of using mulch around your home:

Dos when using mulch:

1. Do use the right kind of mulch

As mentioned above, there are many different kinds of mulch that you can use around your garden. Organic mulch will enrich the soil as it decomposes.

2. Do consider using organic materials around your home as mulch

If you have broken branches or fallen leaves laying around your backyard, you can make your own organic mulch at home. This can be effective while also saving you some money.

3. Do use mulch to decorate your garden

Mulch can be used to decorate and add some aesthetic value to your garden. Using black mulch can even help make your flowers stand out.

4. Do adjust the thickness of your mulch

Too much mulch in one place can be a bad thing. Thin out the mulch the closer you get to the edges of pathways or walls. When organic mulch breaks down, add more to keep the layer intact.

Don’ts when using mulch:

1. Don’t use too much mulch

When adding mulch to your soil, don’t use too little or too much. Aim to keep the mulch around 2 to 4 inches thick at all times.

2. Don’t leave any soil exposed

Mulch is most effective when it covers every single inch of soil in your garden. If your mulch breaks down and gaps start to appear, fill them as soon as you can.

3. Don’t volcano your mulch

Adding lots of mulch at the base of the trunk or stem can cause collar rot. This can also restrict air to the soil and suffocate your plants. Adding a consistent layer of mulch around 2 to 4 inches thick is the most effective way to go.

4. Don’t mulch with large rocks

Although using rocks as mulch can look incredible, rocks tend to heat up quickly and can end up drying up the soil underneath. This makes organic mulch a far more effective option as it protects the soil while also breaking down over time to enrich it.

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