How to Pick the Best Mulch for Your Landscape (2024)

While an even layer of mulch is ideal, don't overdo it. The best depth for a mulch layer is 2-4 inches. Any deeper, and it can be difficult for oxygen to reach the soil, which can cause your plants to suffer.

Shredded Bark

Shredded bark is one of the most common and least expensive types of mulch. It comes from a variety of sources, including cedar trees. Shredded bark is the best mulch for slopes, breaking down relatively slowly. As a bonus, some shredded bark mulches are byproducts of other industries and are considered environmentally friendly. Check the mulch packaging for more information.

Straw

Straw mulch has a beautiful golden color that looks great in the garden. It's also a bit slower to break down than leaves or grass clippings. Some gardeners like smaller, shredded straw pieces, while others prefer larger ones. Straw is classically used in more utilitarian gardens, such as vegetable gardens and around strawberry plants. Straw does a great job of keeping mud off of your edibles.

Compost

Compost looks like soil, except it's darker, so it sets off plants nicely. This mulch material breaks down quickly but adds to your soil structure the most rapidly. Plus, it's the best mulch on a budget: you can create rich compost for free, even from grass clippings and leaves. Ensure your compost bin heats up enough to kill any weed seeds. Many municipalities give away compost as well. Before spreading it all over your garden, test compost on a small area to check for weed seeds.

Pine or Cedar Bark Chips

Often labeled as bark nuggets, these chipped pieces of bark are slower to break down than shredded bark, so this mulch doesn't stay in place as well as others. As a result, it's not the best mulch for slopes or other areas where heavy rain may wash it away; the chips tend to float and take off like boats. The nuggets are available in various sizes; the bigger the nugget, the longer it lasts.

Stones and River Rock

Rocks tend to be more expensive than organic mulches. But because they're inorganic materials, river rock, stones, and landscaping pebbles don't break down, so they don't need to be reapplied yearly. However, it also means they don't improve your soil over time.

Take caution when using stone as mulch because stones get hot in the sun. Stones are often used in cacti and rock gardens. Cover the soil first with sheer landscaping fabric if you use rocks and stones as mulch in an area where plants won't grow, such as under a deck. This will help prevent weeds from growing up through the rock.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which mulch lasts the longest?

  Stone is the longest-lasting mulch, followed by landscape fabric. Black plastic and rubber mulch last a long time, and help with both heat and water retention in the soil, though they're also more expensive than stone or landscape fabric.

• Which mulch repels insects best?

  Cedar or cypress chip or barkmulchcontain natural chemicals that helpsrepel bugs. Plastic mulch covered in aluminum works well also since the bright shine of the aluminum temporarily blinds and confuses invasive pests.

• Which mulch won't wash away with rain?

  The heavier the mulch, the less likely it is to be washed away by rain, so stones are the sturdiest mulch. If you want to use wood mulch, use heavier wood. It will hold itself down and after the first rain, will stay put. However, it needs to be replaced more frequently than stones.

• What's the most expensive mulch?

  The most expensive mulch options arestone, recycled rubber, and crushed seashells. Bark and wood chips are generally the most affordable to buy,

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