If you are wondering whether you should use cedar mulch in your garden or not, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article are all possible benefits (or harm) that cedar mulch can give to your garden from varied reliable resources – from disadvantages and advantages to tips on when to use it. You’ll also find here how different cedar mulch is from other mulch.
Let’s start with why gardeners use mulch. Then, we’ll jump right away into the pros and cons of using cedar mulch.
Why Gardeners Use Mulch
Gardeners use mulch to keep their soil moist for a more extended period. A 3-inch thick layer is enough to ensure water retention, weed inhibition, and soil insulation.
Aside from this, the mulch can be dyed or used in its natural color for aesthetic purposes. And this mulch makes a long-lasting bed for you.
Cedar mulch consists of shredded or chipped cedar wood. It is an excellent natural insect repellent with an aesthetic bonus. However, it may cost you a little more than the other wood mulch sold per bag.
Reasons to Use Mulch in Your Garden
So, why use cedar mulch in your garden? Here are some of its properties that can easily turn you into a fan:
- Keeps the soil moist. It prevents the water from evaporating. Think of how much time you save from watering. You can spend that time adoring your plants instead!
- Regulates the soil temperature. It acts as a barrier between the earth and the air. The microorganisms in your soil produce heat, and the mulch keeps them in for the roots. And mulch also keeps the roots from getting too hot.
- Controls the growth of weeds and grasses. Your garden will have fewer unwanted greens because they hardly grow in dark places.
- Preserves the soil’s nutrients for the plant’s use. This is because of the microorganisms that decompose organic matter.
Pros and Cons of Using Cedar Mulch in Your Garden
Now, here are the advantages and disadvantages of using cedar mulch in your garden.
Advantages of Using Cedar Mulch
- Long lifespan. If you use cedar mulch on the soil, it can last for more than a year. It does not deteriorate fast compared to straw, pine mulches, and other organic mulches.
- Natural insect repellent. It has a natural smell and chemical component that resists insects and pests around your plants.
- Attractive beds. It also provides a red or orange hue for the flower beds. These colors contrast beautifully against the green foliage and help your plants stand out.
- Long-lasting beds that do not break down easily. It’s also resistant to fungus. So you do not need to dress your beds often.
However, despite the advantages of using cedar mulch, it also has its downside.
Disadvantages of Cedar Mulch
- Strong smell. Some of your friends might not find the natural cedar mulch scent pleasant.
- Loses color fast. Since the color fades fast, the decorative effect on your garden will diminish.
- Expensive. Compared to average mulch, it will cost you more.
- Can be acidic. It can release an acid called acetic acid that is harmful to plants. Acetic acid is only released if your mulch lacks oxygen when stored.
- Repels pollinators and beneficial insects. Since the cedar mulch repels insects in general, it also repels valuable insects to help your plants propagate.
- Decomposes slowly. Yeah, this sounds like an advantage. However, since the cedar mulch stays long in the oil, it will have a negligible effect on the soil nutrient improvement.
Benefits of Cedar Mulch
Cedar mulch is a great…
- pest controller,
- natural soil moisture preserver,
- weed controller, and
- color enhancer.
When Not to Use Cedar Mulch
- Fragrance allergies. Since cedar mulch gives off a scent that may irritate your friends or family members who have a keen sense of smell. Furthermore, it may cause allergic reactions like runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and skin irritations.
- Acidic soil. If your soil is already acidic, using cedar mulch may add more acidity.
- Nitrogen depletion. When the cedar mulch decomposes, it draws nitrogen from the earth. The shortage of nitrogen levels in your soil causes the nutrients not to be absorbed by the roots. It is best to use cedar mulch around permanent plants. However, it’s not advisable for tilled plants like vegetables.
- Beneficial bugs. If you are into organic gardening, the use of cedar mulch might deter your plan. Since it has a natural pest repellent property, butterflies, bees, moths, and other beneficial bugs are also repelled.
- Cost. If you are going to cover a large area, the total number of bags will cost you more than ordinary wood. It’s not the best economical option. If budget is a concern, consider you can use grass cuttings and other inexpensive wood mulch.
- Boggy soil. If your soil is poorly draining or lying in a low area, then the use of cedar mulch may not be of your advantage. The mulch will increase the soil moisture by preventing evaporation and root rot.
Conclusion
Still doubtful whether to use the cedar mulch for your garden? Well, there’s much to gain: think of the natural properties of cedar – insect repellent, long-lasting, natural red or orange color. Not only those but it gives different hues to your garden.
