The mulching technique can go unnoticed by those just beginning their gardening adventures. However, this simple method of spreading a thin layer of organic material over the garden soil offers many benefits, including reducing weeds, adding nutrients, reducing runoff, protecting the soil, and significantly saving water usage.
Today we’re going to talk about how a well-mulched garden can produce up to 50% more vegetables than a garden without mulch.
Inexpensive options for good homemade mulch
Although you can purchase mulch at your local garden center, there are several ways to make your own, homemade mulch from a mix of ingredients or a single ingredient at a much lower cost. Below we will explain the different options to you.
Pine branches, bark and needles
It is important to adapt the amount of these materials to the size of the garden and to ensure that the final product is no more than 10 cm thick above the ground. These materials can be processed with a wood chipper, but safety glasses should always be worn.
Leaves: reusable treasure
When it comes to mulch, garden clippings are your friend. Cuttings from tools such as lawn mowers or hedge trimmers are suitable for obtaining this raw material. Make sure that the leaf pieces are the size of a small coin and that the leaf layer is not too thick.
Grass remains
If you choose to use grass clippings, they must be pesticide-free and dry to avoid reducing oxygen levels and leaching into the soil. The layer of grass clippings to be used should be about 2 cm thick.
Newspaper
This is a sustainable alternative. You can recycle newspaper. About 4 to 8 sheets of paper, slightly torn to fit the base of a tree, for example, make great mulch. It is important to keep them moist to set and place a 2-3cm layer of grass, straw or compost over them to prevent drying out.
Be careful with old newspapers as they may contain chemicals that are harmful to vegetables. You can also use cardboard or paper.
Compost: nutrition and protection
Organic fertilizer is ideal as mulch: it is applied to the soil in a layer of 3-4 cm and at the same time protects and supplies the plants with nutrients.

Straw: light and cheap
If you don’t have straw on hand, the solution may be to contact a local farmer or go to the feed store. The straw should be distributed in a 3-6 cm thick layer between the rows of plants, always leaving a distance of 1-4 cm between leaves and stems. Excess straw should be stored in a dry place to prevent decomposition.
Benefits of Mulch
Mulch is a layer of organic material applied to the soil to protect and improve its condition. It serves as protection with a variety of benefits and is used in gardening, agriculture and landscaping.
Benefits include:
- Helps retain moisture in the soil, preventing excessive evaporation and reducing irrigation needs.
- Protects the floor from high temperatures by acting as an insulator and preventing the floor from overheating.
- Controls the growth of weeds by blocking sunlight and making it difficult for them to germinate.
- Improves soil structure by adding organic matter, which helps retain nutrients and stimulates microbial activity.
- Prevents soil erosion caused by wind or rain by acting as a protective barrier.
- It can enrich the soil as it decomposes, releasing important nutrients for plants.
Remember:
- For best results, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch.
- Maintain a distance of at least 5 cm between the mulch and the plant stems to avoid the accumulation of moisture and the occurrence of possible diseases.
- Renew the mulch every 1-2 years to maintain its benefits.
- Choose the right type of mulch based on garden needs and aesthetic preferences.
With information from: