What's the Difference Between Compost and Mulch?

We get this question a lot, so Christy Wilhelmi of Gardenerd breaks it down for you. What's the difference between compost and mulch? It can be confusing because sometimes you can mulch with compost, and other times you can make compost from mulch. So let’s clear up a few things.
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[@Dude29]

Thank you Christy for this wealth of information!

[@fjsea3]

As a wannabeabettergardener, your breakdown of compost and mulch were great, and reinforcement of key points are excellent for me as a compulsary learning tool being in my mid-60s. Guessing you may have been a teacher/professor currently or in the past.

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you found it helpful, Jim. Wasn't a teacher, but I know how I like to learn things. And a lot of these videos are based on questions we get all the time from clients and gardening students. Happy gardening!

[@leotakleewein6437]

Very good explanation thank you

[@Rudecheers]

Great explanation, thumbs up

[@happyg8059]

*SMART GARDENING STYLE,, You are teaching me to be patient with plants,we will not get tired of watching this video, please don't stop gardening, continue like this, GO GO GO GOOOOOOOOOO!!!*

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@happyg8059]

@@Gardenerd *We are waiting more the best from you, it was a pleasure to watch your video, and especially to be the first to leave a LIKE & a COMMENT*

[@Gardenerd]

@@happyg8059 :)

[@constantineperatos3676]

Very helpful, thanks

[@ChackoVarghese_Mortgages]

Thanks for this Chemistry lesson! Very informative!

[@paulpennington6397]

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

[@Gardenerd]

Great!

[@enchilada1956]

Love this information which is so helpful, and love Mittens!!

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you are enjoyed the information in the video and cameo appearances from Mittens! Anytime we turn on the camera she seems to show up. :)

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you found it helpful, and yes! We love Mittens!

[@terrytillman5715]

Definitely got some good nuggets here that I didn't know before.

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you learned something new on our channel. More to come!

[@MrSludger]

Very useful information, thanks! Can you explain how to alternate between compost and mulch every year? Do just put new compost on top of the mulch from last year? And add a new layer of mulch on top of that?

[@Gardenerd]

If the mulch isn't broken down, we usually clear it (pull off the tops of each bed, onto the pathways) and then amend the beds from there. Then you can add fresh mulch on top. If it's broken down and looks like soil, just mix it into your beds and apply fresh compost, then a new layer of mulch.

[@tbnewhomes]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much.. When do you need gardening soil? And fertilizer? Can you compost for everything? I’m a beginner thank you

[@Gardenerd]

Glad the video was helpful. I recommend doing a simple NPK soil test before applying fertilizer. Most soils have what they need, but they lack the soil biology to synthesize those nutrients into something the plant can absorb. Compost is generally low in nutrients (but rich in biology), so some soils benefit from the addition of an organic fertilizer as well as an application of compost. Soil tests will show what is needed, and then you can amend based on that. Garden soil (I'm assuming you mean potting soil) is usually something you would use when you want to plant something new in a pot or fill a raised bed with new soil entirely. I always add some worm castings or compost to boost bagged soil mixes.

[@gwendolynjohnson7958]

Hi there enjoyed your post very informative. I have a question what can you do to keep stray cats from digging and defecating in the soil. As soon as I make a new bed the neighbor hood strays come and use the area to deficate in. Any ideas? I've tried wetting the soil, orange oil, but for some reason nothing is helping. Animal control office ?

[@Gardenerd]

Some cats will stop using your raised beds as a litterbox once it's been planting with new crops. Others need more drastic measures. We use bird netting over the beds until they are established to keep cats out. Then it's planted too densely for them to get in there or find it appealing. I have used Cat Scat Mats before and those are effective. Or you can try sticking the handle end of plastic forks (tines up) around the bed every foot or so. That seems to work pretty well too.

[@borracho-joe7255]

Nice “breakdown”!

[@Phimbe]

Could you use compost and mulch when creating berm for a new tree? Put compost first then cover it with mulch

[@Gardenerd]

Sure. Just be sure to keep the tree's first root flare exposed. People often make the mistake to burying a tree too deep, or piling mulch up around the trunk. Berms are a good idea as long as they are at least a foot away from the trunk.

[@lissagilmore620]

Thanks so much. You always explain things so well. I love your book! Can you explain the “three sisters” reference?

[@Gardenerd]

So glad you enjoy these videos. I'm curious to know which of my books you love...it's an embarrassment of riches for me to be able to ask "which one?" Now - the Three Sisters Garden is a Native American traditional planting method of planting beans, corn, and squash in a symbiotic cluster. Corn first, then when the corn is 2 feet high, beans are planted near the corn (to use as a trellis). Then Squash is planted around the cluster to fill in the spaces between as a living mulch (which is why I used it as an example). Nitrogen from the bean roots helps the corn grow. The corn provides a trellis for the beans, and the squash covers the soil to protect the roots from the hot sun. They work together as a unit.

[@lissagilmore620]

I have read “Gardening for Geeks” and use it all the time. I am planning on reading “Garden Variety” 😉

[@Gardenerd]

@@lissagilmore620 Yay! I'm happy that book has helped you along your gardening journey. Enjoy, Garden Variety. It's a fun read.

[@leotakleewein6437]

If I use compost how well will it hold down the weeds? I hate the bark as where i live its so windy and the bark ends up in the yard and I have to rake or mow which destroys my blade. thanks

[@Gardenerd]

Compost is not a great weed suppressant. And if you have runner-type weeds, a thin layer of mulch won't do the trick either. At Gardenerd, we use Medium chip bark because it doesn't blow away and it takes about a year to break down. It's economical and trouble free. A thick 3" layer is a good place to start to keep those weeds at bay. Also important to dig out the weeds before laying down mulch.

[@teriwilliams4212]

Thanks for all your helpful info all the time. I was thinking that worm castings are a type of compost and fertilizer. Is that incorrect?

[@Gardenerd]

You're right. Worm castings are a type of fertilizer and a type of compost. Worms digest food waste and turn it into a soil-like substance that is rich in nutrients (and chitinase, and enzyme that helps ward of sucking insects). A great addition to any garden!

[@DavidMFChapman]

My backyard compost is in effect an outdoor vermicomposter. I add kitchen scraps and shredded leaves at the top, the worms live somewhere in the middle, and their castings wind up at the scoop-out port at the bottom. It never gets super hot (which the worms don’t like) but it also never freezes (in the centre). I continually “mine” compost rich in worm castings.

[@Gardenerd]

@@DavidMFChapman Sounds like an awesome set up!

[@susangood1941]

Very informative presentation but Mittens stole the show! My tuxedo, Clark, talks like Mittens; loud and incessantly !

[@Gardenerd]

Tuxedo cats are the best, aren't they!?

[@imranismail3264]

Actually I have to disagree with you there, now folk are using break down mulch know as hummus. For instance like in the forest but through an aerobic condition like Johnson su and Aerated static piles.