Compost v. mulch

This is a quick post, to clear up some terms and perhaps some misconceptions.

Here's the definition of compost: Decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer.

Here's the definition of mulch: A material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil. 

Many things can be used as a mulch, as mentioned in the definition. 

There can be synthetic mulches like permeable fabrics, gravel, recycled class or shredded plastic. None of these are allowed in our community garden. We allowed permeable fabric last year, but we're still digging out pieces of it from the soil this year, so we nixed its use.

Of the organic mulch options, we allow straw (not hay, which has seeds), newspaper, cardboard, cardboard paper, general compost, cocoa nut mulch, cotton burr compost, aged manure, leaf mold, shredded leaves, grass clippings, and mushroom compost, among others. 

There are two organic mulch options that we do not allow in the community garden: wood chips and shredded hardwood. These are probably the most recognized types of mulch, because they're very popular in landscaped areas. These are not good options in a vegetable garden for two reasons: they decompose slowly, and they suck nitrogen from the soil while decomposing. Most veg need whatever nitrogen is in the soil, so tying it up with wood chips is going at cross-purposes.

I think some confusion came into the garden because I -- and other gardeners -- tend to use the terms "mulch" and "compost" interchangeably. I apologize! 

Usually when I talk about compost, I'm referring to compost as a soil amendment -- something that will add nutrients to the soil. Usually when I talk about mulch, I'm referring to the allowed organic mulch options above -- to blanket bare soil, conserve water, and suppress weeds. But really, I'm talking about two different purposes for the same materials. The leafmold that you can mix into your soil to improve its structure and add quick nutrients can also be used as a thick layer on top of your soil to conserve water and suppress weeds.

Ok, so this wasn't so quick. But I hope it made sense!