My favorite mulches for the garden RANKED! (And why we don’t use landscape fabric anymore!)

[@veronicadoggone5660]

Have you ever used sunflowers? I've been making sunflower stalk mulch for about a year and its awesome. I grow dozens of giant black oil sunflowers, usually 3 successions through out summer. The leaves go into my compost, the seeds into a bird feeder or I toast em and press the oil. Then i dry the giant stalks inside my shed or on my porch so the don't get rained on. Once dry I run them thru a small mulcher. Wonderful stuff

[@Blossomandbranch]

Yes, we chip up our sunflower stalks, and use them like we would wood chips! Thanks for commenting, that is a great suggestion!

[@barbaravanerp4598]

Tell me about your small mulcher! I’m looking for one

[@veronicadoggone5660]

@@barbaravanerp4598 I've used a few over the yrs. It depends on what you want to shred/chip/mulch and how you plan to use the material. I have a WEN electric chipper. It's good for soft sunflower stalks and small sticks (1.5 in at most) It has a 17:1 reduction meaning it makes medium-small chips. Hope that helps

[@Skeptimystic]

I was taught that the Earth always covers her nakedness, and calls in any plant willing to come provide her with greenery, and we can help select her clothing with ground covers, green mulches, and so forth. If we don’t, then “weeds” (usually pioneering, first responder “weeds”) will arrive to do the job of repairing the damage done by clear cutting or strip-mining or what have you.

[@tbear1111]

@@Skeptimystic that’s beautiful, I love that. Thank you for sharing.

[@melaniekaychasseur]

I love you. You are my role model, my inspiration in my very first year of flower farming (!!) I don’t know of anyone else who talks about these topics in as detailed and digestible ways as you do. I am in the midsts of restoring my family’s land that we’ve had for almost 100 years and I always feel so inspired, motivated, and knowledgeable after watching your videos. Thank you thank you thank you 💚

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you for the kind words, it truly helps keep me motivated to put in the effort to make these so I appreciate you!! Amazing work that you are doing as well!! ❤️💪🏻

[@erinkeyehkey6852]

Thank you for talking about dyed mulch. I have been telling people for years to avoid them to no avail. I find that folks who love their dyed mulch also love Round-up and Miracle Grow.

[@demesrvl6761]

6. Shredded newspaper (non-edible) 5. Straw (non-herbicide) 4. Pine shaving 3. Leaves 2. Pine straw 1. Cover crop residue (die-off in the winter)

[@e.e.688]

I use white clover as permanent ground cover under perennials. It's evergreen, it provides flowers for pollinators and is very easy to keep happy.

[@Blossomandbranch]

That’s great! We tried it once and it got out of control in my field haha, so glad it works for you! 🥰🥰

[@e.e.688]

@@Blossomandbranch Did it smother your plants? I was thinking to use it as a path between my veggie beds instead of gras as well.

[@SarahBird-kq2bz]

😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@katethegardener]

I have added white clover to my lawn and it has to be mowed less, looks fabulous and green. My neighbours have lawn envy and when they get up close and see it is clover they are shocked.

[@bobadams4677]

Thank you for correcting the myth on pine straw. I have a lot of it in my yard and have not used it as a vegetable mulch since I thought it would make my soil acidic. Now that I know it doesn’t I will use the free pine straw instead of buying straw.

[@Blossomandbranch]

The areas that performed the best this year and had NO slugs were pine needles!! 🙌🏻

[@aiai-j7i]

@@Blossomandbranch I heard that cedar mulch acidifies the soil. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on that? Thank you so much from a novice gardener.

[@kelseroo1]

You are my favorite gardening KZbinr, thank you so much for continuing to make these videos, they help me so much ❤

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you so much! ❤😊❤

[@fromthehutt9508]

My favourites are autumn leaves, grass clippings and seaweed. I use wood chips in my pathways. Basically if it is organic material and free it’s a win for me.

[@mrs.mcnamara1669]

I used Chip Drop last summer. There were lots of big sticks in the delivery (I am still sifting them out), but there were also a lot of leaves. They are breaking down into a lovely rich mulch. Tons of big fat worms this spring. The down side is the birds dig through the chips and shuck them on the lawn. 🐛

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

Organic Sugar cane mulch is what I use here in Australia! It doesn’t blow away like straw and for me it’s a locally sourced product!

[@ManojSreekumar]

Great video! I used to throw out all the pine needles from my neighbors pine tree, now Im going to ask them for more!

[@dianelodico2166]

I just found you, and I must say you make my heart sing! So much very good information and presented in a concise manner. Thank you so very much.

[@Penny21691]

Cover crop residue is brilliant! Never thought of that.

[@simd510]

Is the cover crop residue enough to prevent grass and other weeds from coming through?

[@dglemmer1]

Always excited when I see you’ve dropped a new video! You always have such great information and present it so professionally. And…I love learning from you because I live in Colorado and so many other growing KZbinrs live in such a different climate than ours. I’ve been pulling my hair out for years trying to figure out the best mulch for my landscape and raised beds. I recently watched one of CSU’s webinars and part of it was about mulch. The guy presenting showed graphs and information about how water doesn’t penetrate through bark mulch and many others and I want a mulch in my landscape where when we finally do get some rain, it gets into my soil! He lives in Castle Rock and was highly recommending pea gravel - nothing larger than 1/2 inch and said over 90% of rain gets through pea gravel and into the soil. The pea gravel also retains moisture very well and in fact will help the soil warm up in the spring. I live in the mountains at 9.200 feet and the elevation creates challenges for sure and since we are that much closer to the sun, I need a good mulch. The whole webinar can be found on the CSU website and here is a link to some good information shared in the webinar about mulch: extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/mulches-for-home-grounds-7-214/. And here is a link to the webinar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpWWpIqnmbWofZI

[@dustyflats3832]

Stones can be hard to remove later and it can overheat the roots.

[@annakozlowski4837]

New subscriber here Thanking God for you all..bought some pine shavings for my small veg bed roses and wild flower bed..spent 12 dollars😊not to mention my granddaughter can use it for her bearded dragon😏🌹Thanks for the great information

[@RussHjelm]

The one resource I have an abundance of is grass clippings. So far they've worked well for me.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Yes, especially your own since you know what’s in them! 🙌🏻❤️

[@mariedevos8989]

Love your channel! So informative and well researched yet presented simply enough for all to understand ❤

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you so much!

[@sarahovenall9246]

Love love your videos! Very informative and open-minded!

[@Green.Country.Agroforestry]

I just got back from picking up a truck load of wood chips 😊 The City of Tulsa operates a huge tub grinder to dispose of their resident's tree trimmings, and they are free to haul away (they will even load your truck and trailer for you, how nice!)

[@Blossomandbranch]

That is excellent! Plus, the price is definitely right!

[@kaitlinjohnson2915]

They fill your truck for you?! Amazing! My city maintains a big pile that residents can take for free, but we have to load it ourselves.

[@apriloestman8304]

Thank you for another super video👍 out here on the arid northeastern Co plains, mulch is a must. We use straw because it's readily available and it makes the soil really nice.

[@fabricdragon]

i use chopped hay/straw, wood chips in many areas, leaf shreds , and also living mulch/groundcovers

[@marykappesser5145]

I'm with you on the landscape fabric. But I do use cardboard, several beds have it currently. I get great worm action and weed suppression.

[@TheEmbrio]

As you are talking about the robins, one is in my flower patch too, eating grubs in the mulch i presume !

[@marinai.2524]

Very informative, thank you! I’d love to try cover crop. But not sure when to plant it since all my annuals and perennials are growing until the first frost. You mentioned in the fall. Is this after the first fall frost?

[@whatnow8362]

I’m using mushroom compost as mulch this year and it’s doing great.

[@clairecooper9931]

Thank you for sharing. I have a box full of wood shavings that I used to over winter my Dahlias so I’m glad I can use that for covering 😁

[@lisfong]

Oh my gosh! Thank you for talking about pine needles! Seriously when you said it was your favorite I was shocked because I thought it was acidic! Thank you for discussing!

[@bobjoe1935]

I grow in fabric pots and they can dry out super fast so i need a thick layer of mulch on top. I used to use grass clippings but i have found if they are fresh when i put them on they will go anaerobic unless i use a thin layer (less than 0.25"). Dried grass clipping generally doesn't have this issue unless you get too much water from heavy rain. I also found that grass clippings tend to matte which isn't good for seedlings and air access to the top surface of the soil. Then i started using pine needles from my Scott pine and i love them. They won't move, you can put them on really thick, my seeding come through them no problem, and because they rot very slowly they are almost permanent. The only thing i don't like about them is because they rot really slowly, you really don't want them to get mixed up in your soil because they can build up and next thing you know your growing in a pile of pine needles. This means you have to be careful to remove them thoroughly before you plant into a bed with pine needle mulch. For my indoor plants where i don't really want molding rotting mulch pine needles are the way to go! I've also starting collecting the pine cones and using them as mulch. My Scott pine makes smaller, dense pine cones that look great. Don't cover your seedling with them but you can mulch around them and then push them back in after your seed establish. They mold well so they add to the soil and boost your fungal bacteria ratio, they last because of the size, they look amazing (one of the prettiest mulches I've seen), they won't move, and they generally won't go anaerobic on you.

[@coloradotulips]

I may have to try some cover cropping this winter! Thanks for the tips.

[@Blossomandbranch]

It’s transformed our soil!!

[@jimkingsland1645]

Excellent informative presentation as always! Thank you! I’m going to have to try a fall cover crop.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Yay!! We will post more content on that when the time grows near!! ❤

[@jimkingsland1645]

@@Blossomandbranch I was hoping just that! 💐🌷🌹🌼🌞

[@heidispence4444]

I've not been able to find un-sprayed straw AT ALL in my area. I've heard of testing it by soaking it and watering "test" seedlings with the water.

[@katethegardener]

Wow I did not know that coloured mulch can be made from toxic wood mixes. I immediately checked and the mulch I use is MSC certified. I will switch to cedar mulch going forward. Thank you for explaining the straw with herbicides.

[@marie9244]

Hi, we use pea straw or sugar cane straw here in Australia. Great natural product and it doesn’t blow away. Bark or pine shavings I find too harsh in my garden and the black birds throw the bark all over the place. I heard bark takes a lot of nitrogen out of the soil to break down .

[@kathynix6552]

Yes agree to sugar cane in south east Queensland.

[@brandykay9851]

We had a mild winter and I made a mistake on not getting a cover crop that dies off in cold temps. 😅 I also used leaves last year and loved that!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Haha oooops!! That happened to me a few years back too!! There’s always a tarp thank goodness 😂❤

[@kathynix6552]

We are due for a mild and dry winter this year (Eastern Australia)

[@gabriellakadar]

This year I'm using poopy belly wool as mulch between the rows and covering it with burlap coffee bags. I used coffee bags last year and they were excellent. I folded them in half lengthwise and they did manage to suppress weeds quite well. My favourite mulch is cocoa hull but I haven't been able to obtain any for the past couple of years. Cocoa as in chocolate not coconut.

[@marthaduffy8386]

Do you get your cover crop blend at a local farm store or do you order through a mail order source? I want to try this this fall but want to be prepared for the right time to plant. We have to put up an electric fence to keep out the heavy deer pressure, should we keep out the deer so they dont eat the peas before winter because they will dig up things such as carrots overnight if the fence is down? I saved bagged leaves in biodegradable bags for one of my smaller fenced in areas this year too. Thanks for this video.

[@jaclyndepre5557]

How do you figure out what are the best cover crops to use as living mulch for your soil? I have a mixed perennial/annual bed. More perennials to the back with room for some annuals up front.

[@tegoblue]

Wonderful, informative video that did not waste a minute. Thank you. I learned something.

[@lorrainehuntley6604]

I love your videos! I have been transplanting strawberry plants to under my shrubs as they make a nice ground cover.

[@Tiny_Yard_Bouquets]

Thank you very much, this is very useful. I have a question about using ground cover for as mulch. When we plant ground cover, do you mulch them in between when we wait for them to grow close together? or just left the bare soil between spacing? Thank you very much.

[@sheamaloney5527]

That was sooooo helpful! I could give you a big hug!!! Thank you!😊⭐️

[@squeaks733]

The timing of this video is perfect!!! I have leaves and pine needles everywhere on my property. Free99 is a win in addition to cover crop. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. Sincerely, The Pretend Gardener

[@carenmcfarland7034]

What do you suggest as mulch when slugs and snails are your biggest backyard garden pests?

[@angelafirman7772]

Hi there! Your videos rock!! Which fall cover crop do you like best that doesn’t over winter that you can then mulch back into the soil come spring? Thanks!! 💕🌸💕

[@paulawallace6688]

Really enjoying your very informative videos. We have a friend who brings us his leaves. But it's not enough. We have sourced organic stray once but haven't found again. I have thought about pine shaving but thought it would make it acidic and also didn't know if I need to make sure it organic. Maybe you will know.

[@Judith-z5d1e]

Petroleum is not a bad thing in many cases but what you’re doing with natural mulches is great.

[@thecunningkrugereffect]

Really well done! Thanks Bree!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thanks for watching!! 🥰

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I use straw mulch in containers for peppers and tomatoes as master gardeners showed me their amazing gardens that use straw.

[@margaretadams6977]

I worry about getting chips from the arborist, since many other people use a lot of chemical crap around their homes. Is that a big worry with trees? As in them sucking up the chemical prior to the shredding.

[@bethfioritto]

You should also age fresh wood chips or mix them with greens since they absorb nitrogen as they break down.

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Leaves and pine straw are my favorites, but I also buy pine bark. When you have clay soil, it does contain nutrients, but it needs amending to form humus, a more friable soil. In the South, clay becomes like brick in the summer heat. Plant roots don’t like it.

[@anabellabalbuena3670]

I have 3 pines, I will try it

[@Blossomandbranch]

Totally agree! My clay is much more workable where I have mulch!

[@gardenmore]

We have access to pine straw. I have several growing on the property. I cannot use it. It makes our heavy clay soil so compacted. I need something that will help break up the soil a bit. Maybe a cover crop like you mentioned might help.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Soil usually becomes compacted because it’s lacking in soil life-get living roots in there and apply homemade compost tea for the fastest changes!

[@jinxly420]

Wood chips are usually advised againsed for annual edible beds because they can take up nitrogen in the soil in order to break down. Do you find any similat issues with pine shavings? Or is that issue mitigated by that fact that the pine is more finely shredded than most wood chips?

[@jinxly420]

Also, every time I try to use leaves as mulch for my veggies it just forms a slimy layer and dry soil underneath. I thought I chopped them up pretty good to prevent that but apparently not.😅 any tips? I would love to use a free, sustainable resource like leaves!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Great questions! Nitrogen tie up using wood chips is actually a but misunderstood, unless you are mixing it into the soil at planting depth, having it on top of the soil will not tie up your nitrogen! Any nitrogen tie up that occurs will only happen within that top surface inch of the soil! That being said, I don’t like to use it in the annual beds, because we plant into it and work in the soil more often often in those areas so there is a good chance that I’m going to work those wood chips down into the soil, which is why I only use wood chips in perennial beds! Does that make sense?

[@jinxly420]

@Regenerative Gardening makes total sense! And I assume with the pine shavings it's less of an issue. Thank you for your time!

[@joshrg22]

Hi, thanks for your awesome videos! I have a question about wood chips. What are your thoughts about fresh chips with pine and mixed hardwood? I usually let the piles of chips sit for a year or so before I use them. I'm wondering if it makes a difference or not to the health of my plants and soil if I use the fresh or seasoned chips. Thanks from western North Carolina. 😃

[@christinebottaro9017]

I have the same question. I have spread 2-4” wood chips under our apple trees out to the drip line, and I have seen plenty of mycelia developing below the surface and the ground staying moist, so it seems positive to use wood chips. I have heard people say that wood chips cause nitrogen deficiency in garden areas and so I’m not sure where to avoid using wood chips. I do make my own compost though I never seem to make enough for the whole yard to get some.

[@barbaravanerp4598]

Have you tried garden mulchers? A mechanical thing that uses light garden debris ( not trees ). I’m looking at getting one because I can’t compost at home. Getting a worm bin but I have too much stuff for my little worm bin.

[@helencole7636]

Thank you for this very helpful information 🌱! For your #1 preferred mulch, the cover crops you plant in the fall that experience winter die off, these are going to seed so is there not much nitrogen transfer to the soil from the roots? Is it a good option mostly for the organic matter from roots and the benefit of the material on top which will be a mulch next year?

[@fraukeg.facchini2691]

When do you sow your winter-killed cover crops, and do you make your own mix of seeds? We struggle with clay soil, too.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Usually I sow by end of august at the latest to get best results! I use a mix from green cover seed or make my own, they have a handy tool on their website to help you select

[@fabricdragon]

oh! on another channel i saw a simple test for graz on! plant some legumes in the straw bale. if they die...

[@Blossomandbranch]

You’re right, that is a great test! Thank you!

[@functioningmommy]

Love this video! Question: we have some redwoods in our yard constantly dropping. You mentioned pine needles as a great option. Would you recommend the same for the redwood needles?

[@tegoblue]

In southern Vermont three years ago straw was selling at $14 per bale. So, not cheap.

[@Blossomandbranch]

That’s why growing your own is my favorite option. ;)

[@elizabethwright5508]

Thank you for so much valuable info. I really look forward to your videos.

[@amyjones2490]

Have you heard of any issues using black walnut leaves? I live in a walnut wood and have access to the leaves but I’m worried about using the leaves for mulch because of the jugalone that might be in them.

[@Eyes2C.]

We had a neighbor bring us a bunch of kiln dried saw dust. Can I use it safely in my raised beds? We use horse troughs as our beds. Amounts? Thank you!

[@Blossomandbranch]

It depends, if the sawdust is from treated lumber I would not.

[@Rebecca-nr3fv]

I had no idea about pine straw. Hurts that I threw away all my raked up needles and threw them away last fall 😩😩

[@myam1767]

My favourite is fallen leaves because we have lots of them come fall. I've not yet been brave enough to gather the leaves that fall in the street out of concern for contamination from cars/pollutants, but it's disheartening watching them flow into/up to the gutter or see the street cleaner deal with them as if they're waste. Do you have any suggestions for managing the risk of contaminants with leaves that fall into urban streets? I wonder about using them to mulch the boulevard where we don't grow food, but I'm not sure if accumulating in that soil might be a problem for someone or something else.

[@Mikha335]

How about using your own made compost for mulch?

[@Blossomandbranch]

Great option!

[@brendapayne9198]

How long should I age the chicken manure?

[@Blossomandbranch]

At least 6 months! Ideally a year but depends on how moist your climate is, wetter areas won’t take as long to break down

[@BrennanLeigh]

I use pine shavings because getting chip drop in my area is insane.

[@sherryjohnson9148]

What is a good cover crop for sandy soil

[@ethankaufman8577]

Have you tried wood chip in annual beds, or is it too heavy to handle

[@Rootcraft_UK]

Oh. You just answered my question. Thanks!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Ah ok great! 🥰

[@karencrutchfield6907]

What are your thoughts on coconut husk mulch?

[@jenthang]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@andreaarrigo4428]

Where do you get your cover crop seed mix?

[@sharigordon6312]

That was very informative, thank you! ❤

[@charlesbale8376]

Lovely bit of helpful information.

[@ratoneJR]

Leaves for the win.

[@janalavtizar4426]

A great, very informative video, thanks a lot!

[@lauriesickles5393]

Curious why you don't like to use compost as an option?

[@Blossomandbranch]

We have a soil that is very high in phosphorus and so using compost mulch would be detrimental to that! We address it more in our no dig, lasagna, gardening, bed, building video!

[@carolyncarlon9870]

Great info!!!

[@nickymiller4595]

Kikuyu is driving me nuts it came up through my 1.5m high beds i had no dig beds and it took over.

[@jupe2369]

I'm surprised you don't mention/use sheep wool

[@Blossomandbranch]

We don’t. :) not that it isn’t a good mulch but we don’t make enough and it is expensive to use on any large scale

[@jupe2369]

@@Blossomandbranch Thanks, that makes sense. I always enjoy your videos as you make it clear that there is no one size fits all solution.

[@poodledaddles1091]

No grass clippings?

[@Blossomandbranch]

I simply don’t use them because we don’t have a lawn, and what grass we do have, the sheep eat it down, so we don’t have any! Grass clippings are fine to use so long as you don’t apply them too thickly as they can form a mat that can choke out soil life. Also, make sure that there are not any noxious weed seeds, or herbicide use on the grass, obviously :-)

[@bettyboop1691]

Hello, have you ever heard of mugwart? I don't know how but it has infested all my flower beds. Would you have any suggestions on how to get rid of it naturally? Thak, you!

[@anabellabalbuena3670]

👏🏼 thank you for this video 😅❤

[@Rootcraft_UK]

I thought pine shavings were too acidic?

[@SharkSandwich451]

I put mulch right over the dead leaves in my 1-giant garden.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Nature’s system is perfect! I love leaving stubs and stems to help hold the leaves in in the fall winds

[@Growing_Z_Farm]

I have a spider mite problem, so leaves as mulch is a definite - Nope.

[@katipohl2431]

Leaves from Juglans trees should be avoided because they contain juglon which is a chemical that opresses germination of other plants. Hi from Germany.

[@Blossomandbranch]

We haven’t ever found it to be an issue, we’ve had leaves from black walnut trees and so long as we aren’t doing JUST that for many years it has no effect. :)

[@StephanieFung]

So that's why the colored "mulch" is cheaper than the real stuff!

[@juliepuhr9806]

the fabric ….uhg…I left too much debris on top and the weeds overtook the bed. Quack grass

[@Rootcraft_UK]

I think I meant pine needles, either way…?

[@Blossomandbranch]

We linked the article on that below 🥰

[@c.t.o.4200]

The only reason I haven't used pine shavings is because I hear horror stories about how it breaks down and takes good nutrients away from the soil. Is this a myth?

[@Blossomandbranch]

It is a myth! Any nitrogen tie up that occurs only happens in the top surface of the soil and won’t affect affect the soil where the plant roots are!