Time to Replace Your Mulch for Winter

Mulch helps make your landscaping look neat and tidy, but it also has functional properties. Mulch can protect your tree roots and help retain moisture in your soil. It can also limit weed growth, reducing your need to pull out weeds from your landscaped areas while adding nutrients to the soil. Many mulches can last a year or more, but a refreshing of mulched areas before winter is always a good idea for improved protection, while keeping your yard looking pristine.

So what type of mulch is best for your needs? There are several options, from different kinds of bark and tree mulch to pine straw. Here are some basics on some of the common mulches and their uses:

  • Pine Bark Mulch. Pine bark makes an excellent mulch, especially around trees and shrubs that enjoy an acid-rich soil. The pine bark can be dyed brown, red or black for aesthetic appeal.
  • Cypress Mulch. Cypress mulch is made from the entire tree, not just the bark. Like pine bark mulch, it works well for tree roots. It also has a pleasant odor and helps repel insects, which makes it a common mulch for use in playgrounds and daycares play areas.
  • Pine Straw. Pine straw can be an affordable mulch for large areas and works well for sloped areas where other types of mulch may roll or slide.

These are just a few of the mulches available to help landscape your yard. Talk to your local landscape supply store to determine which mulch will be best for your applications. You may want to use different types for various areas for aesthetic and practical purposes.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Choosing the Right Landscape Mulch

Landscape mulch serves several different purposes. It can add to the beauty of the landscape design by adding uniform background color around plantings. It also provides a functional service by helping lock in moisture around plantings and, when organic, adding nutrients to the soil. There are several different types of mulch available for use in landscaping. It can be helpful to understand the different types of mulch available and the differences between them. 

Shredded Bark
Often made from cedar bark, this is one of the most popular mulch products available. It is organic and provides the natural color of wood around your plantings. It is fairly slow to decompose, which can make it a good choice for its long life and low cost. 

Pine Bark
Another wood product used for mulch, this bark comes in larger, more solid chunks than the shredded bark. This wood mulch will have an even longer life than the shredded bark, but is not recommended for sloped areas because it can be easily washed away. It also is often available in a variety of colors. 

Cocoa Hull
This fine, chocolate colored mulch also comes with a delicious chocolate scent. It tends to be a bit more expensive than the bark mulches and can potentially be poisonous to pets. 

Artificial or Rubber Mulch
Recycled tires are used to create this long-lasting mulch. In addition to creating flower borders, it has become quite popular for use under playground equipment.