The Most Effective Mulching Varieties

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Mulch improves the health of your garden by keeping moisture in the soil and protecting fragile roots from exposure.  It blocks weeds, keeps topsoil from drying out in the heat, and will break down in the winter months to provide even richer soil the next season.

Mulch is sold in bulk at your local landscape supply center.  Depending on the type of mulch you need, you may be able to make your own mulch.  For larger quantities or specific types of mulch, the landscape supply center will have what you need.

Grass clippings are an excellent natural mulch.  You should use the clippings from the first three to four times the lawn is mowed in the springtime for the healthiest mix.  However, if you have applied weed killers or other chemicals to your lawn, don’t use your grass clippings for mulch. You can also use shredded leaves as mulch.  Use a lawn mower or clipper to make them.  These are not a good choice if you live in a windy climate.

Compost is another great and natural option for your garden beds.  You can create your own if you have the time and inclination or buy it at a nursery or gardening center.  It works great to re-introduce fresh organic material to your topsoil over time.  Your landscape supply center will also carry pine bark, hardwood bark, cypress, and dyed mulches you can use to achieve the look you want.

Avoid the use of hay or straws for mulching.  Both have seeds that can create quite the weed epidemic in your landscape.