“Soil, mulch, compost: I’m so confused!” What to buy depending on your needs
If you are new to the gardening world or even having your own lawn and landscaping, you probably have some questions. You know you need some dirt or soil additive, but there is a lot more than simple bags of dirt available! It can be a little overwhelming when you are looking at rows of mulch, soil, and compost. Which do you choose? Our folks at Greenwood Hardware are here to break down and explain when you would need the three main types of soil and additives you are likely to find in the gardening section.
Soil
Soil is dirt that is enriched so plants will grow nicely. You need potting soil to fill your containers for container gardening. You would also use potting soil for replanting houseplants.
Top soil isn’t going to have everything a plant needs to grow and thrive. It is meant to be placed in the garden over already tilled soil. It is loose enough to plant seeds and helps to top off raised garden beds.
Seed mixtures or soil-less mixes are best for starting seeds indoors. The bags are very light and contain no actual soil. They are generally a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. The light compound makes it perfect for delicate seeds to sprout. Once the seed has sprouted, you can transfer the seedling to a container filled with potting soil or into the garden.
Mulch
Mulch is often pretty red shredded or chunks of bark that enhances the look of the landscaping or garden while preserving the moisture in the ground. Mulch can also be straw, shredded newspaper or even grass clippings. Mulch is placed on top of the soil, around the base of a plant. The mulch helps keep the ground moist by preventing the sun from baking the earth underneath. It is a nice addition to flower beds, garden paths and around vegetables in the garden. You will need to reapply mulch several times throughout the season. As it breaks down, it will feed the soil and give your plants additional nutrition.
You wouldn’t typically need mulch for potted plants as the moisture will not evaporate nearly as fast as a garden bed.
Compost
Compost is organic material that is mixed into the garden soil to help balance out the nutrients in the dirt. It is a natural fertilizer comprised of decayed, organic material. The organic mixture contains a great deal of nitrogen that will help feed the plants in the garden. You can add compost to the garden before planting to help condition the ground and throughout the growing season if you notice issues, like yellowing leaves.
You can buy compost or make your own by composting things you would normally toss into the trash. Things like leaves, fruit rinds, newspaper and coffee grounds are all excellent things to compost. A compost bin is a quick and easy way to recycle while feeding your garden. Compost can be used in the soil around trees, flowers and shrubs as well.
Fall is a great time to add compost to the soil and mulch around plants and trees that need a little extra protection from the cool temperatures. Head into Greenwood Hardware and choose from a variety of organic products that will help you have a beautiful garden. Come on in, or contact us today.