Can You Use Ericaceous Compost As A Mulch?

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Mulching your soil not only improves the quality of your plants but also helps prevent weeds and reduces water consumption by retaining moisture.

While a wide variety of materials can be used for that purpose, you might be interested in using some ericaceous compost. So, can you use ericaceous compost as a mulch?

You can easily use ericaceous compost as mulch to improve the quality of the soil and plants. However, this kind of compost is fairly acidic and has a low pH level, so you should only use it with plants that thrive in these conditions and replenish it regularly to maintain acidity.

Keep reading this guide to learn more about ericaceous compost, its characteristics, how to use it properly, and more!

Table of Contents

How Does Ericaceous Compost Work?

Before diving into the details of using ericaceous compost as mulch, we should have a better understanding of what ericaceous compost is and how it works.

Like any compost, ericaceous compost is originally a mixture of ingredients that are used to enhance the quality of the soil through fertilization.

As the name suggests, composts are usually prepared through the process of decomposing and recycling organic wastes, such as food wastes or plant materials, in specialized bins under certain conditions.

Why Is It Called Ericaceous?

The word “Ericaceous” comes from the plant family called “Ericaceae,” which is also known as “Heathers”. Although the name suggests that this compost is made by decomposing ericaceous plants only, it’s not exactly how it is.

Instead, this compost is named after this plant family because it was originally used as a soil amendment for these plants, as they typically thrive only within acidic conditions.

This is because this kind of compost has a pH level that is usually anywhere between 4.0 and 5.0. The variation here is because people may use different combinations and mixes while preparing ericaceous compost

In other words, ericaceous compost is simply any type of compost mixture that can be used for acid-loving or lime-hating plants

How to Properly Use Ericaceous Compost as Mulch

As you can see, using ericaceous compost as mulch is an easy and reliable method to cover the topsoil. However, you should make sure that you only use it with plants that already thrive in soil that lines up with the pH range of the compost.

To help you make the most out of the ericaceous compost and avoid hurting your plants using it, here’s a brief guide that shows you how to use it properly:

1. Test the Soil pH

First, you should keep in mind that only acid-loving plants that thrive within a pH range of 4.0 to 5.0 will benefit from ericaceous compost. For that reason, it’s always best to test the soil pH using a reliable Gardening pH Test Kit.

2. Adjust the Soil pH Using the Compost

If the soil’s pH is slightly off, you’ll need to adjust the pH of the soil in order to maintain it within range.

There are plenty of compounds that you can use in order to reduce the soil pH, such as elemental sulfur powder. Alternatively, if the soil is too acidic, you can raise its pH by using pure baking soda.

In both cases, make sure that you apply the powders in small increments and measure the soil’s pH throughout the process. Avoid getting the compost in contact with the plant stem if it’s already in the soil.

3. Apply a Mulch Buffer Layer on Top

Now that the soil is ready for mulching, simply sprinkle a layer of around 2 to 3 inches of ericaceous compost above the soil so that it covers it but without overstuffing that it suffocates the soil.

4. Recheck the pH and Replenish the Compost

After a few days, make sure that you recheck the soil’s pH to make sure that the pH stays within the proper range, and adjust it again if necessary.

If you’re planting outdoors, strong wind and rain will speed up the alteration of the pH of the soil again and push it towards a pH 7 (neutral), so make sure that you test it regularly and replenish the compost layer when that happens.

What Are the Benefits of Mulching with Ericaceous Compost?

There are several reasons why ericaceous compost makes a good mulch. These reasons include:

It’s quite affordable
Easy to use

Helps in retaining the acidity of the soil for longer (acts as a pH buffer)
Provides a secondary supply of nutrients to the soil
Keeps the soil moist for longer, which saves you a lot of water

Prevents the formation of weeds

What Plants Should You Use Ericaceous Compost with?

Ericaceous compost works well with a wide variety of acid-loving plants that will thrive in that ericaceous soil, such as:

Blueberries

Begonias
Azaleas
Heathers

Camellias
Lily of the Valley
Gardenia

Hydrangeas
Trillium
Japanese Iris

Rhododendron

Where Can You Find Ericaceous Compost?

The easiest and most reliable way to get ericaceous compost is by buying it directly from retail stores, nurseries, or garden centers. This guarantees balanced compost with accurate pH levels.

However, you can also make your own ericaceous compost by loading your compost bin with materials that lower the pH of the soil, such as:

Oak leaves
Coffee grounds
Pine needles

Conifer wood chips
Sand

Here’s a helpful video showing you the full process and how to do it!

Wrap Up

There you have it! A brief guide that walks you through everything you need to know about ericaceous compost and whether you can use it as mulch.

As you can see, it’s possible to use the compost as mulch, as long as you use it with plants that will thrive in the acidic conditions of the soil, such as azaleas, begonias, blueberries, etc.

Remember, the weather elements will push the soil’s low pH back to neutrality, so make sure you replenish the compost to maintain acidity.

Sources

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