How deep the layer of mulch is will also directly impact how long will it last, the deeper the layer of grass clippings mulch is the longer it will last. In addition to this, how often you water the mulch will also dictate the decomposition rate, the dryer the environment is the slower the mulch will decompose.
Hay is made out of the cuttings of fresh plants, usually, the hay contains a vast number of different plants, basically anything that can grow in an open field. Generally speaking, hay lasts for months, after that you should refresh it, although it also depends on how deep the hay mulch is and what your local climate is actually like. If you want to use mulch for your tomato plants then check out my recent article Mulching Tomatoes Top 11 Best Mulches.
Straw tends to decompose somewhat slower, and usually, it will last you anywhere between 3 to 6 months. Straw is made out of the stem of wheat, and once it is used as mulch it tends to break down relatively fast. If you want the straw mulch to decompose even faster then you should definitely water it, on the other hand, if you want to stretch the straw mulch out for as long as possible then water it less frequently.
Wood chips contain a lot of valuable nutrients , although they are rather slow to decompose, it can take anything between 3 to 8 years for the wood chip mulch to fully decompose.
Ideally, you should use the wood chip mulch for plants that have a life span of several years, this way they can take full advantage of the nutrients from the wood chips. If you are using wood chip mulch only for aesthetic purposes, and you are wondering when will the color fade out then the answer is around months.
If you use wood chips that have not been sprayed with some kind of paint then their natural color will start to turn either dark brown or light brown, depending on the amount of sunshine your area gets.
Cardboard mulch can last anywhere between years, although it mostly depends on what kind of cardboard you are using, either shredded or large pieces of cardboard. If you use shredded cardboard then it will last you around 1 year, if you are using large pieces for cardboard then they will decompose somewhat slower and they can last for up to 3 years.
How fast the cardboard decomposes is actually determined by the amount of water in the soil, the more water the faster the decomposition rate is. If your area is suffering from drought then make sure to water the mulch, otherwise, the cardboard mulch will compact and dry out the soil.
For more information about mulching with cardboard check out my recent article Mulching With Cardboard Top 6 Best Practices. Organic mulch normally lasts years. Though, several factors may cause you to have to replace or replenish mulch every years. Organic mulch decomposes over time, so it will need to be replaced eventually.
A typical mulch may last about five years, but this timeframe can decrease depending on the type of mulch, weather conditions, rainfall, sun exposure etc. If rain, wind and foot traffic removes some of that, you may need to add much to ensure proper coverage. If you have frequent heavy rains, or if you have soil and climate conditions that speed up decomposition, you may also need to add mulch periodically.
Another factor is the color of the mulch. Some undyed mulches may start to turn gray after about a year. Many people choose to replace all, or some of the faded mulch to improve the landscaping aesthetics.
Dyed mulches may hold their color longer, but it is important to learn how the mulch was dyed. The practical life-time of mulch can be anywhere from years. This is how long it takes for a layer of mulch to completely break down, although it depends on a number of different environmental factors e.
But really, it is mulch's job to break down and feed your beds. Not forgetting helping to prevent weeds so making your gardening tasks a little easier! The aesthetic life-time of mulch is much shorter — between years. As the mulch is exposed to the elements and begins its decomposition process it changes in ways that people often prefer to cover up. After years the mulch begins to lose its colour.
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