How do I Choose the Best Garden Mulch?

Garden mulch is an important part of many gardening and landscaping projects. It has many functions, including deterring weeds, keeping root systems protected from heat, retaining moisture better than soil alone, and providing nutrients that will help plants thrive. Choosing the best garden mulch will usually depend on what type of plants are used as well as the local climate.

Some people choose to use mulch purely as a decorative element. Common types of mulch used for this purpose include bark, gravel, or pine needles. While these do not provide many of the benefits of more complex mulches, they can give a nice, uniform look to the garden that may be preferable to ground cover like grass. Purely decorative garden mulches are usually less expensive than multi-tasking mulches.

Wood garden mulch can be a great way to add a hint of lovely color to the ground while saving on water and providing helpful benefits. Different types of woods are good for different purposes; cedar, for instance, is known for its ability to repel slugs. Another benefit of wood mulch is the relative heft of the product, which makes it less likely to be washed away in rains or crumble away due to soil erosion.

Compost garden mulch is an excellent way to contribute to recycling and reuse efforts. Start by keeping a compost heap of vegetable scraps and gardening by-products like grass clippings and leaves. When a sufficient amount is gathered, use the compost as a mulch around plant and flower beds. The compost will break down over time, releasing many nutrients into the soil that growing plants will feast on. There are some downsides to garden mulch made from compost, namely that it may look messy or not smell very pleasant.

Colored mulch is a popular way to protect plants from sunlight as well as add an eye-catching contrast to the garden floor. Colored garden mulch is usually made from organic materials and will eventually break down, generally after one or two years. Common colors include red, brown, and black.

Inorganic garden mulch is made from materials that will not break down. Although this may mean that the mulch lasts longer, it is often at the cost of increased soil temperatures and is usually far more expensive than organic mulch. Many inorganic garden mulch varieties have an excellent ability to repel weeds. The most common types of inorganic mulches are made from plastic and rubber.