Make Mulch
Mulch provides a layer of protection on top of soil. It prevents soil erosion, conserves moisture, suppresses weed growth, protects plants and helps the soil maintain an even temperature. Best of all, you don't have to buy it. You can make mulch using yard debris, such as grass clippings, bark chips and leaves. Making mulch out of your organic material is a green sustainability practice.
Steps
- Decide how much mulch you need in your garden. When you apply mulch to flower beds, around trees and along garden walkways, it needs to be at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) deep.
- Find an area in your yard that is big enough to contain the organic material. The area should be flat and clear of shrubs, trees, bulbs and bushes. If you put the mulch over grass, the grass will die.
- Begin making your mulch pile in the fall. Leaves make a wonderful base, so rake them up into a mound.
- Put the leaves in a wheelbarrow with your rake and shovel, and carry them to your mulch pile.
- Chop the leaves into tiny bits with an electric leaf shredder. If you don't have an electric leaf shredder, run over the yard debris with a lawnmower or break the leaves up with a shovel.
- Saw fallen limbs and other organic material in your yard into little pieces. If you have many large sticks, consider renting a wood chipper from a local rental store to make wood mulch.
- Place the wood chips in your wheelbarrow and haul them to your mulch pile. Dump the wood chips on top of the leaves.
- Let the mulch set all winter.
- Apply the mulch to your garden in the spring. Using a rake, spread mulch around in a 2-inch (5.08-cm) layer.
- Continue adding organic material to your mulch pile.
- Add an additional layer of mulch to your garden in the fall to protect your plants from the cold winter.
Tips
- If you don't use all the mulch, it will eventually turn to compost. Mixing compost with garden dirt enriches the soil. After time, you can make a new mulch pile, and turn the old mulch area into a compost spot.
- Electric leaf shredders don't cost very much and can save time.
- Put the mulch pile near your garden so you don't have to haul it very far.
- If you have a little yard or live in an apartment, you can buy mulching bins that don't take up much space.
Warnings
- If you use a wood chipper, follow the directions carefully and wear protective gear, such as gloves, a hat and safety glasses.
Things You'll Need
- Leaves
- Rake
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Electric leaf shredder
- Lawnmower
- Fallen limbs or other organic material
- Saw
- Wood chipper
Related Articles
- Buy a Garden Shredder
- Make Seaweed Tea Liquid Fertiliser
- Build a Compost Container
- Make Homemade Liquid Manure from Cow Pats
- Fertilize Soil With Eggshells
