Free Mulch From Your Garden
Free Mulch What will the free mulch be used for? Mulch that will come in contact with plants (including roots) must be aged for several months…minimum. The early stages of decomposition generate lots of heat and quickly use up nitrogen. A layer of un-aged mulch may rob plants of nitrogen, and will damage roots. Free mulch from a composting facility is often usable immediately. If it is obtained from other sources, it may be best to leave it in a pile for six months before spreading it. If the mulch is to be used on a path or other un-planted area, fresh is fine. Also, don’t expect the free mulch from construction sites or tree services to be immediately suitable for walkways and play areas. Often the chips are very irregular, some quite large and some branches not chipped at all. This material will require quite a bit of handling before it is useful for even “rustic” applications. If you don’t mind the extra work, free mulch can do the job. How much free mulch do you need?