This post shows you cheap mulch ideas to keep your garden cool all summer long!
Container gardening in hot temperatures can be a pain. But if you’re proactive and can stay ahead of the curve, there are ways to prevent stress from the extreme heat.
The secret is mulching! Mulch is traditionally used to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
If you need help brainstorming some cheap mulch ideas, you can find options in nature or at the store.
Depending on the type of mulch you use, store prices can run pretty high. But with a small-scale container garden, you don’t need much.
There are plenty of organic and cheap mulch ideas that can provide the same benefits, if not more, than the more expensive varieties!
What is mulch?
Mulch is a layer of material added to the top layer of soil. It’s used for adding nutrients, water conservation, or simply for aesthetic purposes.
Think of it as a protective blanket for your plants!
Tips to remember when choosing mulch:
- Reuse and Recycle. Look for materials that you already have on hand or can obtain for free or at a low cost.
- Layer materials. Layer mulch materials to provide better insulation and moisture retention for your potted plants. But not too thick to prevent water prevention!
- Upkeep your maintenance. Keep an eye on your mulch and replenish it as needed, especially in hot temperatures when evaporation rates are high.
- Experiment. Don’t be afraid to try different mulch materials to see what works best for your container garden and climate.
Here are 17 cheap mulch ideas to keep your potted plants cool during summer
1. Shredded Newspaper
Recycle old newspapers by shredding them and using them as mulch.
They’re readily available and break down over time, adding organic matter to the soil. Ensure you only use newspaper that contains soy-based ink and no harmful additives.
Newspaper makes a great weed barrier and will decompose fast!
2. Grass Clippings
Fresh grass clippings are a great use as mulch. If you’re in an apartment, call up local mow companies and see if you can pick up!
They’re free and abundant and can help suppress weeds while adding nutrients to the soil as they decompose.
Grass clippings are full of nutrients and serve as a nice nitrogen boost for your plants.
3. Leaves
Live in an area with a lot of trees? Collect fallen leaves in the fall and use them as mulch throughout the year.
Shred the leaves with a lawn mower first for better coverage and faster decomposition. However, you can use them whole too!
Leaves are a free source of carbon for your garden and the more organic materials you can add, the better.
4. Pine Straw
If you live in an area with pine trees, gather fallen pine needles to use as mulch.
Be sure to chop them up before spreading as a top layer to your plants. Pine straw will do a great job at suppressing weeds.
They’re lightweight, acidic, and break down slowly, making them perfect for acid-loving plants.
5. Wood Chips
Many tree service companies offer free or low-cost wood chips. The quality may vary but you can’t beat free!
Use them as mulch, but avoid fresh chips that can rob nitrogen from the soil as they decompose.
Wood chips also look great in pots for a rustic look in your garden!
6. Straw
Straw is inexpensive and provides excellent insulation for your potted plants, helping to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture.
If sourcing locally, be sure that you buy straw and NOT hay! Hay is for livestock and contains seeds while straw is the left stalks from harvest.
Be warned, slugs are attracted to straw so this may not the most ideal option if you have others available!
7. Cardboard
Flatten cardboard boxes and place them around your potted plants as mulch to suppress weeds effectively.
They will eventually break down, enriching the soil. Be sure the cardboard does not have packing tape, labels, or any type of glossy coating.
For best results, use a shredder for the cardboard instead of tearing it into pieces.
8. Coffee Grounds
If you don’t already drink it, many coffee shops give away used coffee grounds for free.
Sprinkle them around your plants as mulch to add organic matter and deter pests like slugs and ants.
Used coffee grounds have a neutral pH and can easily be mixed into soil. Mix with another medium to make the mulch nutrient-beneficial.
9. Compost
Compost is the best form of mulch you can use! It’s rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that promote plant growth.
This is my favorite mulch because it’s free and composting is a sustainable activity for the environment.
Composting is the science experiment that you never knew you needed!
10. Gravel
Gravel is a stylish, plentiful, and effective mulch option for your plant. Putting down gravel as a top layer to potted plants will ensure an even soil temperature.
Gravel suppresses weeds and add a decorative and organized touch to your containers.
Not only does gravel come in a variety of colors, but you also don’t need to replace it like you do with other organic mulch.
11. Seashells
If you live by the coast, have you ever thought about collecting seashells for mulch?
Crushed seashells not only serve as mulch but also add calcium to the soil, benefiting plants like tomatoes and peppers.
Or keep them intact for a beautiful and unique way to add whimsy and decor to your garden!
12. Pine Bark Nuggets
Purchase inexpensive pine bark nuggets from garden centers or landscaping suppliers.
They provide good insulation and moisture retention for potted plants.
If you’re growing plants that enjoy more acidic soil, use pine bark for mulch as an added benefit.
13. Cocoa Husks
If you have access to cocoa husks, they make excellent mulch with a pleasant chocolate aroma.
They break down slowly and enrich the soil with nutrients.
Cocoa husks are the perfect way to enrich your soil and the perfect top layer for flower and vegetable gardens alike!
14. Sawdust
With untreated sawdust, use it sparingly as mulch.
It’s best mixed with other materials to prevent it from blowing away or robbing nitrogen from the soil.
Be sure to source where the sawdust from your wood came from and ensure it was not treated with chemicals that you don’t want to transfer to your garden.
15. Weeds
If you live in an extremely dry area, instead of discarding weeds, dry them out and use them as mulch.
Just make sure they haven’t gone to seed to avoid inadvertently spreading weeds in your container garden.
It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing look, but weeds are free and plentiful!
16. Rice Hulls
Rice hulls are lightweight, absorbent, and slow to decompose, making them an excellent mulch for potted plants, especially in hot climates.
It may be better to mix with another medium to avoid them getting blown away.
Rice hulls are a great source of organic aeration for soil and a great boost of silica once the hulls break down.
17. Eggshells
While the hype of eggshells adding calcium to the soil may have been debunked, there’s no reason we can’t still use them!
Save your eggshells, crush them, and sprinkle them around your plants as mulch.
Broken eggshells add a cool mosaic look to your plants and if you put down a thick enough layer, they will prevent weeds!
Final Thoughts
This post has shown you 17 cheap mulch ideas for potted plants! By utilizing organic and inexpensive materials, you can provide your potted plants with the moisture retention, weed suppression, and temperature regulation they need to thrive all summer long!
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