Mulch and compost are popular words, that are used frequently and people are under a misconception, that both the words have a similar meaning. Many times, I’ve come across seasoned gardeners, who also utilize the term compost when in fact, they mean mulch. Or they utilize the word mulch while referring to compost.
Now things begin to get a tad confusing, when we begin to talk about utilizing compost as mulch, whereas mulch when utilized has effects similar to compost on the soil. Hence, it is understandable why people are oftentimes confused by these words.
If you’re facing similar confusion, this article will help you get a better understanding of compost and mulch. We’ll discuss all about it.
Compost
It is made from organic materials that you would find in your household trash and garden waste. All these wastes are processed and at the end of it, you receive nutrient-rich compost. It is an excellent amendment to the soil and it feels and looks like soil. You have options of either composting at home or you can easily buy it from the local garden shop, or even purchase it from the composting facility that is commercial. There are certain localities that offer their residents composed for free, this is done through the community programs.
Now when you take composition and mix it with the soil, it enhances and enriches the quality of the soil by adding nutrients to it. These nutrients are broken down and slowly absorbed by the plants. Compost when added to the soil slowly decomposes, adding nutrients over a longer period of time. Compost is at times referred as a fertilizer, because it adds nutrients to your soil making the plants greener and healthier. However, technically it is an amendment to the soil and not similar to that of a fertilizer.
Mulch
This term is utilized in reference to organic, as well as inorganic materials. These materials are spread above the soil as topdressing. The materials that are used include nutshells that are crushed, crushed shells, gravel, recycled rubber, straw, shredded wood, lawn clippings, leaves, and similar products. So if you cover your ground with gravel and use it as mulch, you could also at times call it mulch. However, mulch is popularly used for organic materials and materials which mimic organic matter, that includes rubber mulch. So, when you are asked to utilize mulch for the plants, people are very rarely referring to gravel and most of the time referring to materials that are organic.
Rubber mulch, gravel, and similar products that are inorganic, technically come under the category of mulch offering certain benefits, that are seen with mulches. These benefits are, improving the retention of moisture in the soil, reducing erosion of soil, moderating the temperature of the soil, and limiting the growth of weeds.
Suppose you plan to utilize organic mulch that includes lawn clippings, shredded wood, or shredded leaves, gardeners receive extra advantages like the improved structure of the soil and nutrients.
There are a few differences that you must remember;
- Mulch is sprinkled on the soil while, composed is properly mixed with the soil
- Mush retains moisture in the soil, prevents erosion, and limits the growth of weed. Compost adds nutrients and improves the structure of the soil
- Compost is created from the decomposition of organic materials. Mulch is an organic as well as inorganic material that is spread on the soil.
That’s all for this article guys, I do hope you have received a better understanding of what compost and mulch are. Happy gardening!