Mulching Materials for Bruce County’s Climate
Mulch is a thick layer of material placed over the soil and around plants, used to suppress weeds and lock moisture into the soil while acting as a physical barrier to drying winds and direct sun (BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 2021). Given the unique climate and diverse soil conditions in Bruce County, selecting the right and best mulch is important for a strong and healthy garden that is appropriate for the needs of the plants and the local environment. There are many materials you can use for this purpose; the only types you should ever consider using in your garden are those from natural and biodegradable materials. Wood chips, pine bark, leaves, straw, grass clippings – these are all examples of beneficial mulch because they decompose and provide many more benefits to your soil (Lamp’l, 2019). Wood Chips Wood chips are shredded, chipped, or ground-up pieces of wood. It sometimes includes bark, branches, and leaves (Kraus, 2021). Wood chips are a great option for gardens...