But, firstly, mulch is made from different organic materials that act as both a barrier and as a food source.
This organic material could be grass clippings, leaves, compost, or something else.
So please keep reading to learn all you need to know about types of cedar mulch and the pros and cons.
Types of Cedar Mulch
You can extract cedar mulch from three trees grown in the USA:
- northern cedar
- eastern cedar
- western red cedar
No matter which type of cedar you decide to go with, you’ll have to choose between these.
Shredded Cedar
Shredded cedar is the smallest of all three types.
Consequently, it is lighter weight and easier to work with, therefore making it more suitable for delicate plants, flower beds, and small seedlings that would be drowned in large particle chippings.
Cedar Chippings
Chippings are of a greater weight and sturdier.
For this reason, they are generally used with bigger trees and wider areas. They are great for landscaping and protecting plants
Painted and Natural Cedar
The selection between either depends on style and aesthetics.
Some prefer dyed mulch to create an ambiance and tie the landscape elements together.
Some do not share that sentiment and prefer to let mother nature do what mother nature does.
They like the color of the cedar mulch as it decomposes, which tends to grey out.
In general, color mulch is harmless, as the dyes are harmless, carbon base dyes or oxide base dyes.
However, if you find the colored mulch you prefer somewhat cheap. You may want to give that some thought.
That just may be recycled wood dyed to look like cedar mulch.
In this instance: It can also include the toxic chromated copper arsenate that we banned in 2003.
How to Properly Place Cedar Mulch
In a Field
Our first golden rule is that every 10 ft.² of soil requires 2.5 ft.³ of cedar mulch.
Our second golden rule is that you will want to keep your cedar mulch away from tree trunks and stems because it retains water.
Thus, if it is in constant contact with the stem/root of your plant, it will continue to give it too much water and can cause plants to rot from the inside!
So, to put cedar mulch in a field do the following:
- Determine your area.
- Purchase the cedar mulch you desire.
- After you purchase your cedar mulch, you need to pull out any weeds and grass from your area.
- Make sure it is sufficiently damp.
- Start to distribute your mulch on the wet soil so it’s resting some 3 inches above the soil level.
- Try to make it as level as you can; do not create puddles or low spots that can gather water.
Around a Tree
If you have a planter or bed with just one tree, and you’d like to have it protected and well-fed.
You can do this using the following directions:
- Take a critical look at your tree and observe how far its branches extend outwards.
- Identify the longest branch on the tree.
- Extend a line from the tree to the ground surface.
- Repeat this process around the tree until you have a defined circle about the circumference of the root system.
- Take approximately one step of distance from the radius of the dice you have just drawn and start adding mulch beyond this point.
Cedar Mulch Pros
Aesthetically Pleasing
Cedar mulch imparts an old-fashioned aesthetic to your garden.
It can also create a pretty color scheme – particularly if you opt for colored mulch.
Beneficial
Cedar mulch provides natural benefits because of its soothing scent.
Not to mention, it allows people to concentrate by separating themselves from their surroundings.
Moisture Locking
Mulch serves as a sort of buffer before the surface, holding in the moisture and allowing the soil to take it fully in.
The plants are able to take their full fill of H2O as well.
Long-Lasting
Cedar mulch takes its time with your soil.
It provides the soil with:
- sulfur
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- potassium
- nitrogen
- carbon
And it takes a while to decompose, thanks to thujaplicin, which is resistant to mold, fungus, and bacteria.
Protective From Extreme Weather Changes
Cedar mulch helps keep the temperature of your soil regulated, so it doesn’t get too hot in the summertime or too cold in the wintertime.
It also helps protect your soil from being fooled by sudden temperature changes.
Such temperature changes can come in the form of random warmer days during the wintertime, which may very well trigger a sudden growth spurt in tiny seedlings.
Then the next day, the colder temperatures return and those little seedlings have effectively been knocked out.
Weed Inhibitor and Insect Repellant
First, before you start adding the cedar mulch to your soil, you’ll want to take care of those weeds.
Then once the mulch is down, it will inhibit the regrowth of weeds by suffocating it.
Even Better: As for those insects, it creates a barrier system that protects your plant’s roots from pesky bugs, as cedarwood is well-known for its bug properties.
Cedar Mulch Cons
Expensive
Cedarwood is costly and thus, its mulch is expensive.
Nevertheless, it requires less upkeep throughout the year and takes the weight of insects off your back, wind, rain, UV light rays, and bugs.
Just that alone is worth it for many.
Releases Acidic Soils and Withdraws Nitrogen
Cedar mulch will decay and release traces of acetic acid and take nitrogen away.
That shouldn’t be a problem if you have neutral soil, but the level will increase to a dangerous level if you already have acidic soil.
Also, you might want to add a nitrogen fertilizer.
Irritates Allergies
For those who might have allergies or any question on if there is trouble with their respiratory systems, the fragrance could be a problem.
A strong scent can easily irritate and cause sneezing, watery eyes, or worse.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, cedar mulch is an excellent option for every garden and bed when used properly, while maintaining the associated nutrients and pH balanced.
One other thing to keep in mind is do not allow it to touch the plant’s roots and stems. That is successful cedar mulch usage!