Sorting out mulch, compost
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Advertiser Staff
Doesn't it all just go in the ground? What's the difference between mulch and compost?
Mulch can be cinder, ground coral or newspaper — essentially anything that holds in moisture, deters weeds and reduces soil erosion, said Lorra Naholowa'a, manager at Hawaiian Earth Products. It also makes an excellent soft paving for garden paths.
Christmas tree mulch is also good for weed control, said Alan Gottlieb, managing partner at Hawaiian Earth Products. But it can inhibit the growth of some plants, he said, so it's not appropriate for all gardens.
Fresh mulch is taken right from the grinder, and can contain some weed seeds because it has not been treated. Therefore, it should be used only on top of the soil.
Composting is a process by which organic materials decompose under controlled conditions. Creating compost requires setting mulch into windrows, then adding moisture as well as manure or fruit, which supply nitrogen. The natural heating process that brings the windrows to about 140 degrees Fahrenheit kills weed seeds and other pathogens.
"(Compost) takes three months to make, takes a lot of space, and takes a lot of heavy equipment," Gottlieb said.
Compost attracts beneficial organisms that in turn provide nutrients for plants and create a healthy soil structure that retains water more efficiently. Unlike mulch, it is meant to be tilled into the ground. The results are not immediate, as with fertilizer. But it needs to be replaced only once or twice a year.
Mulch is usually inexpensive or free. Because of the time and process, compost costs between $25 and $40 per cubic yard, depending on the blend and grade.
