Compost vs Wood Chip Mulch

The number one thing I always recommend to my clients is compost. Compost to amend the soil and increase moisture retention. Compost as a mulch to keep the soil cool, feed your plants, and suppress weeds. If compost is applied every year, at least 3 inches deep, your soil will become a magical world of nutrient rich friable soil. What more could you want out of life?

To start, you can make own compost if you have the space for it. There are a plethora of online compost gurus out there to teach you the basic process. You can also purchase compost by the yard if you have a truck or you can have it delivered from the local landscape supply company. How ever you acquire it just get that compost in your garden!

People ask me why can’t I just mulch with wood chip or the super duper cocoa fiber bricks offered at Home Depot? The answer is you can mulch with wood chips but be selective. The type of wood should be pine, redwood, aged oak, maple and other soft woods. The conifers will break down and create a more acidic environment for things like Azaleas and Citrus. The soft woods will break down and can be used for all other garden areas with neutral PH. Eucalyptus is only recommended for pathways or weed suppression in disrupted areas that are not cultivated. Wood chips are NOT recommended in areas that have high risk of fire as embers can smolder in them for days.

Bottom line I prefer compost for mulch but I will use wood chip if it is chipped small and the right wood and correct PH for the garden.

Garden Magic. Well aged compost.