If you have ever been to my edible & herbal food forest, you would know that I am a DIE-HARD, HEAVY-DUTY,  MULCHING FANATIC! I pride myself on creating a lot of my own “masses of mulch” and materials to sustain my own plants with! To me, that is one of the most intriguing and fulfilling parts of this whole journey; the idea of a self-sustaining food forest that can essentially care for itself has been my dream the whole time!

Wood Chip Mulching DOES MORE THAN YOU MAY KNOW

When people hear the word mulch, most think of a neat, tidy ground cover to keep weeds down and make a garden look polished. But let me tell you—wood chip mulching is so much more than that. In fact, it's one of the greatest long-term investments I’ve made in my edible and herbal food forest.

It Started With a Need for Something Big

Back when I took my Master Gardener classes, I learned one thing very clearly: if I wanted to grow healthy, nutrient-dense food and medicinal herbs, I had to start with the soil. Not just any soil—living soil. The kind filled with bacteria, beneficial fungi, microorganisms, and worms, all working together like a thriving underground city.

But here's the thing... to build that kind of soil, you need bulk. You need organic material. You need something to get the process going, and since I started with a blank canvas, I needed to have bulk materials brought in until my food forest could supply its own.

That "something" for me turned out to be wood chips—and they changed everything.

Why Wood Chips? The Real Benefits of Wood Chip Mulching

Let’s go deeper than weed control (although yes, that’s a nice bonus). Here's what wood chip mulching has done for my food forest, and what it can do for yours:

1. It Builds Soil—Rich, Living Soil

Wood chips decompose slowly, feeding the soil over time. But more importantly, they attract fungi and bacteria, which begin the essential work of breaking down plant matter and creating nutrients. This decomposition feeds worms, which aerate the soil and leave behind nutrient-rich castings. It’s nature’s compost system—happening right under your feet.

2. Moisture Retention = Less Watering

Thick layers of wood chips hold onto moisture, keeping the soil below cool and damp—even in the heat of summer. This dramatically reduces the need for watering and protects plants from heat stress. For me, this was a huge time AND water-saver.

3. Temperature Regulation

Think of wood chips as a protective blanket. They insulate your soil during extreme heat and prevent it from freezing too quickly in winter, creating a more stable environment for plant roots and microbial life.

4. Weed Suppression—Naturally

Yes, it's true—wood chips block sunlight, making it harder for weed seeds to germinate. But unlike plastic weed barriers, they also improve the soil underneath, instead of suffocating it.

5. Biodiversity Booster

Once I started using wood chips, I noticed an explosion of life in my garden. More mushrooms, more worms, more beneficial insects. That healthy diversity above ground starts with what’s happening below it.

6. Free (or Cheap!) and Plentiful

Wood chips are often available for free from local arborists, municipalities, or tree-trimming services. Just ask around! I was shocked at how easy and affordable it was to get truckloads delivered—and once you start building those layers, your garden starts working for you. Always ask if chemicals were used. No one wants chemicals in their wood chips.

A Living Blanket for My Food Forest

Looking back, I had no idea the long-term impact those first piles of wood chips would have. They weren’t just mulch. They were a gift to the future me—a living, breathing foundation for a thriving ecosystem.

Now, 20 years later, my edible and herbal food forest practically grows itself, and supplies most of my bulk organic materials. The soil is alive. The plants are strong. The maintenance is minimal. And it all started with something most people overlook: wood chips.

If you’re overwhelmed trying to build your own self-sufficient backyard paradise, don’t overthink it. Start simple. Start with what’s free. Start with wood chips.

I have included an entire chapter in my Edible & Herbal Food Forest Guide all about WOOD CHIP MULCHING and all the amazing benefits. YOU'VE GOT THIS!

The Future Is Worth The Patience Of The Present

-Michele

The Homemade Gardener