When it comes to landscaping and gardening, the choice of mulch plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy and thriving plants. Among the diverse options available, wood chips have gained popularity for their unique set of benefits. Here are a few of the advantages of using wood chips as mulch for your gardens, trees, and planting areas.

Wood Chips Encourage Good Bacteria Growth

One of the key benefits of using wood chips as mulch lies in their ability to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the soil. Wood chips provide an ideal environment for these microorganisms to flourish, creating a symbiotic relationship with the plants in your garden. 

As the wood chips decompose, they release organic matter into the soil, serving as a nutrient-rich source that supports the proliferation of essential bacteria. This process enhances the soil’s fertility and improves its overall health, creating an environment conducive to plant growth.

Using Wood Chips as Mulch Fosters Mycorrhizal Growth (Good Fungus & Mushrooms)

Mycorrhizal associations, the mutually beneficial relationships between plants and fungi, are crucial for nutrient absorption and overall plant health. Wood chips foster the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, creating a network of hyphae that extend the reach of plant roots. This association enhances nutrient uptake, improves water absorption, and contributes to the overall resilience of your trees and garden. Additionally, the presence of mycorrhizae often leads to the emergence of beneficial mushrooms, further enriching the soil ecosystem.

Wood Chip Mulch Improves Soil Structure

The physical structure of the soil is vital for plant development, and wood chips play a significant role in improving it. As wood chips break down over time, they create air pockets in the soil, promoting aeration and water infiltration. This also creates a good habitat for helpful insects and worms to tunnel, creating more  air pockets and channels for moisture and nutrients to flow deeper into the soil.

This enhanced soil structure allows for better root development, reduces compaction, and mitigates the risk of waterlogged conditions. The result is a healthier and more robust environment for your plants to thrive.

Wood Chips Fertilize Gardens, Trees, Flower Beds, and More

Wood chips contain a greater variety of substances than traditional mulch, and this works to your benefit! The carbon in the brown wood and nitrogen in the green leaves work together to decompose and create a fabulous compost. 

As they decompose, wood chips release essential nutrients into the soil, providing a steady and continuous source of nourishment for your garden, trees, flower beds, and other plantings. This organic fertilization process contributes to sustained growth, vibrant foliage, and increased resistance to diseases.

Where to Find Good Wood Chips to Use As Mulch

It’s important to trust your source when it comes to selecting wood chip mulch for your garden. You want to avoid any processed lumber, as well as things like poison ivy or poison oak that could transmit issues to your garden areas. 

Staunton Tree Service provides wood chips free of charge as they come available to a list of interested contacts.

Our chips come straight from the trees and branches we remove, so there are no chemicals, dyes or preservatives, making them a good choice for mulch in beds with edible plants. This kind of mulch/compost is an environmentally friendly, and sustainable option!

Click here to join our wood & chip delivery list.

For more on gardening with wood chip mulch, be sure to check out the Back to Eden film with gardener Paul Gautschi.