What’s the best mulch IYO

[Obepawn]

I’ve searched through the organic threads high and low and I have not found a thread about mulch, which I find strange, because mulch and organics go hand and hand. I have a bag of orchid bark mulch that I was thinking about using, which is pine bark. I’ve also read that coco coir is a good mulch, as is hay.

Which mulches do you prefer and why?

 

[Ozmap]

I don't know about mulches in general, but hay has always kept the ground around my vegetables from drying out. Plenty of worms choose to hang out under it.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

I started using rice hulls, and the worms and other beneficial insects are loving it. When I move the mulch layer, I can see more and more worms every time. I don't take many pictures, but here's an up close pic of one of the pots with rice hulls I took a few weeks ago. Plus it adds silica.

 

[Obepawn]

I started using rice hulls, and the worms and other beneficial insects are loving it. When I move the mulch layer, I can see more and more worms every time. I don't take many pictures, but here's an up close pic of one of the pots with rice hulls I took a few weeks ago. Plus it adds silica.
View attachment 4390707

Where do you get your rice hulls?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Where do you get your rice hulls?

I got lucky and had my hydro store order them for me so I wouldn't have to pay shipping, and they couldn't get the original ones they ordered for me, so I wound up getting the 20 lb bag of Build A Soil rice hulls for like $16. That's when I realized they can get my BAS stuff cheaper than I can on my own. So I can't hate on my hydro store too much. Just make sure they are parboiled wherever you get them. I've just started using them, and have been impressed so far.

 

[radiant Rudy]

I mostly use alfalfa straw. I get a get a bale for about 22$ and use it on pretty much every plant i grow. The bale still lasts 2 years in pots used year round the straw is gone in about 12 months. I also use rice hulls and shredded bark and cover crops. I think they all are effective and promote healthy soil biology. One thing i learned which is useful for peace of mind and to rule out residual insecticides or gmo issues is to specify organic when selecting mulch material.

 

[DustyDuke]

I use sugar cane mulch but I do like the idea of rice hulls. I like been able to mix my mulch with the soil at the end of each grow.

 

[MidwestGorilla219]

I mulch with shredded wood, comfrey, and dried horsetail. If I find stinging nettles I use that too.

 

[radiant Rudy]

I mulch with shredded wood, comfrey, and dried horsetail. If I find stinging nettles I use that too.

Ya ive used those as well. Anecdotally i feel that nettles give the most bang but around here you only see nettles in early spring at farmers mkts - not at all cheap.

 

[Obepawn]

Man, I really appreciate everyone’s input. My last grow I used alfalfa straw also.

 

[Obepawn]

I use sugar cane mulch but I do like the idea of rice hulls. I like been able to mix my mulch with the soil at the end of each grow.

What’s the issue with rice hulls?

 

[Ozmap]

Just to excite thoughts on (hijack) the original post:

I have heaps of woodworking shavings. (Thicknesser outcasts). Would they make good use as a mulch?

...I'm asking for the OP, of course.

 

[FunkeyMunkey]

I’ve seen a bunch of people using types of straw or hay but I normally will just top dress with a fresh layer of my soil mix(compost/coco). Right after a nice watering so it’s serves as a mulch/top dress combo. Also I don’t see why wood chips wouldn’t work. Just make sure it isn’t treated wood and the chips are small enough to eventually break down. You don’t want to end up with soggy rotten wood as your mulch lol

 

[Ozmap]

Thanks for the info, FunkeyMunkey.

 

[Obepawn]

Just to excite thoughts on (hijack) the original post:

I have heaps of woodworking shavings. (Thicknesser outcasts). Would they make good use as a mulch?

...I'm asking for the OP, of course.

No cedar and no walnut, other than those you’re good.

 

[Ozmap]

Thanks, Obepawn.

 

[Gingeroot]

I like black lava rock and looks cool af

 

[Obepawn]

For a mulch?

 

[IIReignManII]

I've noticed that using a cover crop drastically stabilized rH in my tent, I feel like without it there is just a ton of evaporation wicking off the top of the pots after you water them. I grew out some thick crimson clover and it seemed to work nicely. I wasnt exactly sure how to topdress without destroying the cover crop so I just decided to chop it all down, topdress, and cover it all in a layer of compost, the dead clover turns into a hay/straw like texture when it dries out. The local compost I get almost has a fine wood mulchy texture that seems to be able to double up as a mulch as well as a soil component.

 

[Brandon137]

No cedar and no walnut, other than those you’re good.

Why no cedar is it because it will throw of ph balance?