Difference between Organic Mulch and Certified Organic Mulch

With mulch the use of the word organic comes from fact the ingredients have derived from living organisms, that is, they originate from animal or vegetable life, it has nothing to do with the health of the mulch at all. My intention in writing this article is to help clean up any confusions that exist about the way in which advertisers use the word organic in regard to mulch.

If it once lived or is still living, then it can be called Organic.

Well, it’s not as complicated as you might think. Anything, and I mean anything at all that has lived at one time or another can rightly be called organic. If it has come originally from a plant or animal it is organic.

A piece of wood that has survived a nuclear explosion it can be called Organic.

Here is the crunch, it doesn’t matter if the item has been drenched in pesticides, herbicides, poisons, petrochemicals, even survived a nuclear explosion, if it has once lived it can rightly be called organic.

Organic does not mean the mulch is Certified Organic

I visit many gardening centers, garden shows, garden nurseries and see a vast collection of various types of mulches, many and I mean many of them have the word Organic on the labeling. Remember that to say it’s organic is ok as we now know it just means it has come from a living plant such as weeds, leaves etc. But it does not mean that it is Certified Organic, a totally different process and product entirely.

Genuine Organic Mulch is available

For the mulch to be Certified Organic the producer must comply with the very very strict rules and regulations as set out by the governing Organic body they belong to. You can buy Certified Organic mulch, just ask around, check out the Internet for a supplier near you, they do exist and their mulch is well worth sourcing.

What if you can’t find Certified Organic mulch?

Well, join the queue, not everyone can, but you still need to get mulch in the best and most natural condition as is possible. Buy the best you can find, read the labels carefully to make sure the supplier has some idea of what is actually in the mulch, ask what brand they use for their own garden, ask other gardeners.

Sustainable mulch can come from your own compost heap

Ultimately, what you need is a sustainable and hopefully free and abundant supply of mulch. Start your own compost heap, get neighbors to place their lawn clippings into your compost heap, they will be happy to do so and you reap the rewards for free. If you’re not that sure on how to make a compost heap then get educated, check some articles, talk to other gardeners, look up some websites.

(After I produced my ebook on how to make a Permaculture Raised Garden Bed – No Dig Garden the main question I get asked is ‘how do I know the mulch I buy is organic?’ Hope fully this little article will help explain the use of the word and ultimately encourage you to start your own compost heap. As you now know the mulch you create will be organic but not certified organic.)