How to Create Your Own Mulch

By Tao Schencks
Using a Mulch in your garden can help improve the quality of your soil in many different ways. By shredding, chipping or breaking down the existing plants, flowers and trees you want to dispose of, you can create an excellent base product that you can apply to your flower beds, pots or plants that will supply them with nutrients and act as an excellent barrier against the elements.

Any plants and flowers in your garden can be reused as mulch. By using a device like a leaf shredder or wood chipper you can break down your garden waste and then store it to be used as mulch or compost. Also, the fact that the plants you are using are from your garden will ensure that the right type of nutrients are being supplied to the plants.

To start making your mulch, follow this simple 5 step guide:

1. Break down, shred or chip all of your garden waste. Try to break it down as small as possible.
2. Store the shredded waste in a compost bin or garden waste sack.
3. Add a generous amount of water (rain water if possible) to the waste and leave it to soak for a few week, turning it regularly.
4. The mulch should only be applied in the winter months and is best applied onto wet or damp soil in layers of around 5 centimeters.
5. When the mulch has begun to turn brown and form into a congealed mass, spread it out onto your soil around the plants. You can spread right up to the stalk or roots of the plants.

Making and using Mulch is a real no-brainer for many gardeners. It is much better to re-use your garden waste rather than dispose of it at the local refuse tip or garden waste scheme. If you have a very rich soil, you could even sell the mulch to fellow gardeners to use on theirs. It works wonders!

The hardest part of making mulch is when you have to break down the plants into smaller pieces. To do this, we recommend buying a used chipper shredder which will make the process a total breeze.

You can find out more about these units at the http://www.chipper-shredder-auctions.com website where the author of this article discusses ways to use shredders and chippers to improve your garden and help the environment.

Also, mulching is not a full time job for any gardener, so ensure that you buy a refurbished chipper shredder rather than a new one. It will save you money!