THE BARK MULCH CONUNDRUM

It’s time for my annual reminder and cautionary tale about bark mulch. I frequently visit gardens that feature lovely combinations of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses ~ swimming in a sea of bark mulch. Yes, the mulch really sets off the beauty of the plants, holds in moisture, covers drip irrigation tubing, and suppresses ‘weeds’. But repeated spring applications of bark mulch ultimately create a hostile growing environment for plants. Not to mention all the artificial dyes that leach into the ground when it rains…ick.

PLANTS DID NOT EVOLVE SURrOUNDED BY BARK MULCH

As bark mulch decomposes, it robs the soil below of nitrogen and nutrients, and it inevitably will find its way piled on top of plant crowns and against tree trunks. The resulting ‘mulch volcanoes’ invite disease and insect infestation and look, well, downright unnatural! AND heavy mulch inhibits the ability of perennials and groundcovers to spread into a much more attractive form of ‘green mulch’. Over time, it can become quite compacted, preventing rain water from percolating down to the plants’ root system. Yes, bark will eventually degrade and break down, but at what expense to your trees, shrubs and plants?

Today, the emerging perennials are noticeably larger and more blooms have opened as compared to yesterday. They thrive in last year’s leaf and pine needle layer which will soon disappear as it becomes engulfed with fresh, new foliage and flower!

THE LEAFY ALTERNATIVE

When installing a new garden, it’s not always possible to plant a substantial layer of ground cover, and there can be a need for high quality, aged and undyed bark mulch mixed with compost to finish off the planting bed. However, a more hospitable and long term solution is leaves, both whole and shredded. Leaves are ‘nature’s mulch’, restoring nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Leaves also create the perfect environment for the billions of microscopic organisms that make up the oh so important Soil Food Web. My own garden has achieved a wonderful balance over the years with very few instances of disease or insect infestations. I believe that good soil health, promoted by leaf mulch and other organic practices is the key to this success.

Instead of raking and hauling this precious resource to the curb every fall and spring, we can add it to our compost bins, create leaf mould, and add this goodness directly to our gardens. You won’t need as much added fertilizer, and your plants will thank you!

The growing environment supported by leaf mulch increases the plants’ ability to bulk up and spread, eventually minimizing or entirely eliminating the need for additional mulch.

And, in the fall, your beds will be much more inviting to native butterflies and beneficial insects looking for a place to tuck in for the winter. Think of the money you will save recycling your leaves and skipping the mulch next year!

plants ~ a green mulch alternative

Of course, leaf mulch and organic compost form the support system for healthy, bio-diverse plant communities. In turn, perennials and groundcovers thrive in these naturally healthy soil environments, putting down strong root systems and providing vital habitat to beneficial insects and native wildlife. Plants photosynthesize the sun’s energy, delivering it to the soil below where it fuels the underground world of the soil food web. Mycorrhizal fungi attach to plant roots where they seek energy in the form of carbon and in return inoculate the plant against disease. This symbiotic relationship is so much more powerful and effective than any manmade chemical pesticide in keeping plants healthy and thriving. The world beneath our feet is buzzing with life ~ we need to work together to protect it, not harm it!

This year, why not fill your beds with ground hugging plants instead of mulch? Click here for groundcover ideas for both sun and shade. As you discover the benefits of leaf mulch and groundcover, you will be rewarded with more blooms, more bees, more butterflies and more birds that call your garden ‘Home’.

Feel free to comment on your experience with leaves and plants as mulch alternatives below. I would love to hear from you!

~ Barb