Inexpensive Mulch For Your Garden

I've been looking for inexpensive or free ways to mulch my garden.  My husband has a business that generates a lot of cardboard boxes from items shipped to him. 

The children generally play with the boxes until they are destroyed, then they go out with the trash.  I wondered if the boxes could be used for mulch so I did a little research.  I found that so long as the cardboard isn't covered with a "shiny" coating, it can be used as mulch for the garden. 

Cardboard mulch after high winds

You will want to tear the cardboard into pieces no bigger than 4 inches by 4 inches.  If your pieces are bigger, you will run the risk of the wind catching the pieces and propelling them into your plants.  Then wet the cardboard before placing around your plants.  This will help ensure that it stays in place.    Cardboard makes a good mulch because it helps prevent weed growth and moisture loss.  It also breaks down over time.  Unfortunately, cardboard doesn't hold up so well to high winds.  As you can see in my photographs, near tornado strength winds blew the cardboard all over my garden.   I will still use cardboard mulch because it did work well for the week prior to the big storm, withstanding normal Kansas winds.

Interestingly, the leaf mulch that I had placed around my tomato plants stayed in place for the most part after the severe storm.  To make leaf mulch, simply rake leaves from your yard and place them around your plants, then water!

Other sources of free mulch can be found in your yard or home.  Consider the following ideas ~

• Sawdust - Let rot until it is dark in color before using.  Apply 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick around your plant.
• Pine needles - They are plentiful in many areas and look cool!  Apply 3 to 4 inches thick.
• Hay and Straw -  Spoiled hay makes an excellent mulch.  I've even used straw from my chicken coop, although some would caution that salmonella can be introduced into your garden in this manner.
• Old newspapers - Avoid colored newsprint, I've heard it may contain lead.  Apply in layers 4 to 6 sheets thick and weight down to keep it from blowing away. 
• Grass clippings - Just be certain to let dry out a bit before applying to avoid clumping and don't use grass from chemically treated lawns. 
• Partially broken down Compost - Makes a wonderful mulch!  Feeds your garden while sheltering the soil. 
• Coffee Grounds -  I'm particularly excited about this one as we drink a ton of coffee!   Coffee can be used as an additive to your compost but also makes an excellent mulch.  It repels slugs and other pests but earthworms really love it!  Coffee grounds also offer a slow release of nitrogen. Of course, as with anything you put in your garden, you will want to make certain you are using pesticide free products (if you are organically gardening) 

Why mulching is important -
Mulching may seem like a lot of extra work but it can save you a great deal of work later on. 

• When applied properly, mulching can conserve moisture in the soil, thereby reducing the frequency that you will need to water. 
• Mulching also can smother weeds, which will save you a lot of back breaking work.
• Mulching insulates the soil, providing a nice even temperature for your plants' roots.
• Mulching provides a cozy habitat for earthworms which are just all around "good guys" in the garden.  
• Mulching helps prevent rotting of vegetables such as squash, watermelons, cucumbers or any other vegetable that normally would touch the soil by creating a barrier.
• Mulching also guards against soil erosion from heavy rains or watering.  

When applying mulch -

• Apply in spring after the soil has warmed up slightly.  If you apply while the soil is still cold, you may slow down plant growth.
• Apply after weeding if possible. A thick layer will smother existing weeds but you can get by with less mulch if you weed first. 
• It may seem obvious, but wait until your vegetables or plants are up before mulching.  If you mulch over the newly planted soil, you may not ever see your seedlings!

For a wealth of information you might enjoy reading ~

Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens

I'd love to hear about your ideas for free or cheap garden mulch!