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September 24, 2018The best mulch offers curbside-appeal and promotes healthy plant growth. Mulch presents a weed barrier homeowner’s find beneficial for landscape management.
Mulch offers a decorative aesthetic complimenting your home’s landscape and design. There are several types of much like the popular pine bark to the classic hardwood. Yet, every homeowner’s needs and budgets are different.
The wrong mulch type is a waste of money and a frustrating investment. Don’t want to make the wrong choice? Continue reading to learn of your options.
The Best Mulch Show These Qualities
To recap the value of mulch — it:
- Prevents weeds
- Adds aesthetics
- Retains moisture
- Stops erosion
These are our criteria when choosing the best type of mulch for our yards. But, the selection should also include your A) budget, B) color scheme and C) commitment.
The Types of Mulch
Mulch is technically any material you choose to place over an area. Mulch could include basic grass clippings to recycled rubber-tire bits. Mulch includes landscape rocks, hay, manure, newspaper, and leaves, too.
Mulch is a blended mix between amendments (fine) and bark (chunkier). The offers could include superfine to thick shavings.
Pine Bark Mulch
Pine bark is a popular, inexpensive type of much made from pine trees. This mulch lasts longer than most other options including its color retention. Pink bark mulch is particularly great at retaining moisture.
Pine bark isn’t perfect, though, as it has a high pH value. Soil absorbs this acidity causing problems with certain plants. Note your plantlife before laying it down.
Pine Bark Nuggets
Pine bark nuggets are the same as pine bark but larger. This larger makeup lasts longer while providing more natural benefits. Yet, these chunks are susceptible to shifting and floating away during storm floods.
Hardwood Mulch
Oak is the typical tree harvested for hardwood mulch for its tough fibers. This harder, chunkier mulch costs more. Yet, offers extended benefits with longevity and moisture retention.
The disadvantage of hardwood includes:
- High pH
- Compression
Account these two to prevent gardening mishaps and landscaping foleys.
Synthetic Mulch
Processed and reused synthetic materials are a modern mulch option. This mulch is typically rubber. The advantage of synthetic mulch is it’s near lifelong properties. Though, not providing vegetation benefits is its disadvantage.
Mulch Considerations
The best type of mulch is one meeting your needs. As noted, you’ll likely consider its price and design when buying. Your commitment to apply and maintain it another factor.
Price
Commercial mulch is typically sold in 2 cubic foot bags. Your coverage depends on the mulch’s depth during application. Home improvement stores sell mulch for about $2 – $6+ per bag. You can save more when requesting mulch quotes from independent businesses like ours.
Design
Will the mulch have color? Where is it placed? What natural elements could ruin the aesthetics and benefits? Get samples to visualize its coverage.
Commitment
It’s recommended you rotate mulch types every few years. This process happens to prevent soil from becoming too acidic. Rotate mulch to fill barren areas caused by decomposition and compacting.
Let’s Get You Mulching
Can’t decide the best mulch for your yard and needs? Browse our product catalog for inspiration and understanding. Then, get in touch through our contact page.
We’d love to help you pick a great mulch! Let’s talk and get you mulching!