01/07/2018
The Benefits of Mulch…What Plants Really Want
Nature has a wonderful way of replenishing nutrients that are lost from soils due to rain, erosion, oxidation, or the most common method – human interference. The way nature replenishes its lost nutrients, and rebuilds its damaged soil structure is by adding organic matter. The two most beneficial forms of soil organic matter (SOM) are mulch and roots. When leaves fall, when branches break, when bugs die, they all release their organic constituents back into the soil. All the nitrogen, sugars, starches, carbon, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, boron, etc. is released and cycled back into the soil. If the SOM is recalcitrant (not readily available), then soil microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi begin to work their enzymatic magic and break down organic products into readily available components that are ready for uptake by plants. As roots from trees, grasses, or any other plant begin to wind their way through soils, a portion will die and that too will become a rich source of SOM.
Mulch is a wonderful addition to soil. It will create a home for microorganisms that will break down the mulch, create a rich top soil that will invite root growth, make all your plants healthier, and more often than not, it’s free! Lawn clippings, raked up leaves, ground up tree parts, compost, and many other forms of potential soil organic matter exist that are frequently thrown away. This includes oak leaves that many people bag and place on the curb to be hauled away to the landfill.
Mulch is also one of our most useful tools in improving soils that have been damaged by compaction or soils that have had the important high-organic topsoil profile removed during development. During the last phase of construction, new trees are often planted in these hard soils that have been depeted of organic matter and somehow expected to thrive.
Stay away from cedar and cypress mulch. These products do not prevent pests, or provide any other benefit often touted by companies selling these products at a premium. They will however cause the unnecessary loss of more and more cedar and cypress trees. Dyed wood chips are good for only one thing – adhering to HOA landscaping codes. They do not provide ecological benefits, but they sure look fancy.
Stay away from “deep root” injections, “deep soil” feeding, liquid injections, fertilizer stakes, or any other fancy method of adding product to the soil. If it sounds like snake oil, that’s because it is. All of these methods are very ineffective, expensive, and do not enhance your soil. SOM (soil organic matter) IS MULCH, plain and simple. Lay it on top of your soil, mix it in, and add water. It’s that simple. It’s the way Mother Nature has been doing it for a very, very long time.
(Reprinted from Native Plant Consulting newsletter, January, 2018)
Danny Lippi
ISA* Board Certified Master Arborist FL-6145B
ISA* Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
University of Florida Master Naturalist Instructor
Graduate student, UF School of Soil and Water Science
