Source: Lamiot, Miscanthus mulch broyé pour paillage Lille 2022 Lamiot 01, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Miscanthus chaff is increasingly being offered as an interesting mulch alternative. In this article you will find out what advantages Chinese reed mulch has compared to bark mulch and the like.

In a nutshell

  • PH-level neutral
  • suppresses weed growth
  • snail protection
  • retains moisture
  • don't fault

pH-neutral mulch alternative

One of the biggest advantages of miscanthus chaff, also known as elephant grass, is its pH neutrality. As a result, the mulch layer does not deprive the soil of oxygen, even if it remains on the ground for years. Bark mulch from conifers is often found in acidic soil and can therefore store toxic cadmium. The cadmium can then seep into the soil of the bed and accumulate in your crops. This is not the case with Chinese reed as a mulch alternative. Miscanthus chaff protects soils from the following problems, in addition to cadmium accumulations, that acidification can cause:

  • weak humus development
  • bad soil structure
  • Soil dries out faster
  • leached nutrients
  • useful microorganisms die faster
  • lower crop yields
Miscanthus mulch is made from Chinese reed (Miscanthus sinensis).

Effective against snails

Due to their nature, miscanthus chaff has established itself as a protection against snails. The sharp-edged leaves are not pleasant for the mollusks and ensure that they do not venture onto the layer. It doesn't matter how thick the mulch layer is. Even in regions with a high incidence of snails, plants are protected by the mulch from the Chinese reed.

Effective against weeds

Chinese reed is just as effective against weeds as it is against snails. The mulch forms a dense layer that does not let airborne seeds through. At the same time, it is a homogeneous raw material that is completely free of germs and seeds. As a result, no unwanted seeds, seedlings, fungi or pathogens are introduced into the bed. Miscanthus chaff can be used as a weed control alternative.

moisture storage

Miscanthus chaff have a high water storage capacity. The leaves absorb and store moisture until needed. The water storage capacity allows a buffer during longer dry periods until watering or the weather improves again.

Odorless mulch

The smell of classic bark mulch is not pleasant for everyone. If you are looking for an odor-free mulch alternative, the Miscanthus shredders are recommended. The crushed leaves are almost odorless, regardless of location, weather or age. The smell is reminiscent of straw and is usually only noticeable when spreading, when you put your nose directly to the material.

Source: Lamiot, Miscanthus mulch broyé pour paillage Lille 2022 Lamiot 05, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Durable and productive

You don't want to renew the mulch layer every year? Micanthus mulch is significantly more durable in direct comparison to other types of mulch, as it rots slowly and remains robust during use. The silicon contained in the leaves has a moisture-repellent function, thanks to which the green does not begin to rot or mold. Even heavy rainfall and persistent soil moisture over a longer period of time do not pose a problem. The longevity ensures that the chaff are significantly more productive, as the mulch layer only rarely has to be renewed. A brief overview:

  • renew every 2 to 3 years
  • change outside of the growing season
  • Ideal for spring or fall
  • if necessary, top up individual areas over the course of the year

Airy alternative

Due to the structure of the chaff, they loosen the soil over a longer period of time. Since the leaves are quite hard and do not lose their shape due to moisture, air constantly gets to the ground through the mulch layer. This has a positive effect on the soil composition, as the soil can breathe and supply the roots with sufficient oxygen. Plants that depend on an oxygen-rich and airy substrate receive a suitable basis for cultivation with the Miscanthus chaff.

Tip: Work some of the mulch into the soil in the fall to encourage humus formation. The green therefore has an even better effect on the soil structure and ventilation.

Neutral shade

Classic bark mulch is often dark and is therefore not so easy to integrate into the garden. Miscanthus chaff comes in a light green hue that can be used unobtrusively for numerous corners and beds. If you prefer neutral tones for your beds, Chinese reed is therefore much more suitable. Even large areas are less conspicuous due to the natural green tone of the chaff.

Source: Lamiot, Miscanthus mulch broyé pour paillage Lille 2022 Lamiot 02, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Notice: The color of the chaff reduces the heat generated by the sun's rays on the ground. Heat-sensitive plants can therefore be better protected from the sun by the grass mulch.

experiences with Miscanthus mulch/chaff

Both bark mulch and miscanthus chaff have decisive advantages. But which mulch you use for your garden depends on many factors. Many gardeners still swear by the traditional bark mulch. Benefit from the experiences that other hobby gardeners have already made with miscanthus mulch. We have researched for you.

Notice: For reasons of better legibility, small spelling mistakes (spaces, transposed letters, etc.) in the quotations have been corrected. The exact sources are linked under the indication of the respective forum.

“As a trained but non-executive landscape gardener, I bought the mulch on purpose. The elephant grass is a very effective C-4 plant and a great source of biomass. I wanted to get away from the damp, musty bark mulch in the garden that got dirty on my clothes. We have a small 40 square meter garden in Vienna. Shady and humid, or blazing heat in the sun. Due to the location in the Vienna Woods, we always have high rainfall. The cattle mulch used up to now “drowns” and becomes muddy. It leaves stains that cannot be washed out on children's clothing. The jumbo grass mulch is clean, light-colored and has a pleasant grassy-woody smell. In addition, it is free of splinters or slates. The kids love the new mulch.”

Source: www.amazon.de; User: nuray karakurt; Date: 03/19/2019

"The thing about the snails is probably based on the assumption that they don't like to crawl over sharp-edged leaves. In practice, however, you only have to tell the snails when you collect them from the mulch.

Doesn't acidify the soil? Just because the mulch is inherently pH neutral doesn't have anything to do with how it reacts to the soil. When rotting, acids are always produced, and the humus that forms also binds limescale in the soil, so it always gets acidic when you mulch.

What about the nitrogen balance of miscanthus mulch? Smell, apply, fly away, minimum layer thickness: what is the advantage compared to straw or wood shavings? You can get them in larger quantities for cheap. With 2000 sqm and 5 cm mulch thickness, up to 10 cubic meters of mulch would be needed."

Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de; User: Yersenia; Date: 12/01/2010

“A great thing this elephant grass! The plants (tomatoes, peppers, ginger,…) that I covered with it are thriving. I think it's because the soil, especially the surface, doesn't dry out with it. It doesn't go moldy despite watering. However, does it grow some grass-like grain? Or does the elephant grass look like this in its raw state? But that's not a point deduction, because it's not a problem. I put it in a plastic bucket to keep it dry with the lid on. I will definitely continue to use it and can definitely recommend it.”

Source: www.amazon.de; User: ADC; Date: 07/24/2019

“For some, this type of mulch is difficult to find in Germany. Yes, it's a bit expensive. But it works very well and looks good.
It keeps the soil below moist and adds that layer of protection to the top soil. I think it will last a very long time too.”

Source: www.amazon.de; User: Maddy Ross; Date: 03/25/2021

frequently asked Questions

Which layer thickness is used?

Miscanthus mulch is applied in a layer thickness of five to six centimeters for the best effect. With this layer thickness, the chopped Chinese reed shows its advantages during use. The mulch layer does not have to be thicker.

What must be considered when spreading Chinese reed mulch?

Wear gloves as a precaution, as miscanthus species have sharp-edged leaves. Once shredded, these can still cause cuts when spread. You should also moisten the mulch layer well after application. This will prevent the chops from being blown away due to their low weight.

Are miscanthus chaff suitable for winter protection?

Yes, the chaff can easily be used as ground cover during the cold season. For this purpose, the already mentioned layer thickness is used, which protects the soil and plants from frost. Even on wet winter days, the Chinese reed provides good protection for the plants.

Category:

Garden maintenance