Our very own Grumpy Gardener gives you the low-down on the mulch varieties to buy and those to avoid.
There are many differenttypes of mulchand not all work equally well in every location and purpose.
When choosing mulch, also keep your aesthetic vision in mind.
Credit: witmerphotography/Getty Images
Unless youre sure of your final landscaping vision, avoid using stones or pebbles in a large area.
Once they are in place, they are difficult to remove
Think about your priorities.
Pine Bark
Bark or wood chips come from hardwood deciduous trees or softwood conifers.
Rock and gravel landscaping under tree.Credit:Michael Romero, Succulent Designs
The mulch stays in place and doesn’t wash away.
It slowly decomposes, adding organic matter to the soil.
Pine straw has a naturally rich, reddish color.
Grass clippings should be composted before adding them to soil.Credit:ollikainen / Getty Images
Therefore the use of dyed mulch is not recommended.
Ground Cypress
Ground cypress mulch is another natural material, and it’s perfectly good mulch.
The color may not be as appealing to some as pine bark mini nuggets.
The Money Garden - Vegetable Test Garden.Credit: Photo: W. Atlee Burpee & Co.
It stands out a bit more.
Synthetic woven landscape fabrics and agricultural-grade black plastic are formulated to resist ultraviolet light deterioration.
