10 best gardening mulchs

Garden mulch is a valuable component of gardening and landscaping that offers various benefits for plant health, soil quality, and garden maintenance.Here's what you need to know about gardening mulch:

  1. Definition of Mulch:

    • Mulch refers to any material placed on the surface of the soil around plants to protect, insulate, and improve the soil. It can be organic or inorganic and serves multiple purposes in gardening.
  2. Types of Mulch:

    • Organic Mulch: These types of mulch are made from natural materials that decompose over time and enrich the soil with organic matter. Common organic mulches include:

      • Wood Chips and Bark: Wood mulch is derived from tree bark or branches and helps retain soil moisture while suppressing weeds.

      • Straw and Hay: Straw and hay mulch are excellent for vegetable gardens and can help regulate soil temperature and moisture.

      • Leaves: Shredded leaves or leaf mold provide organic matter and improve soil structure when used as mulch.

      • Compost: Compost mulch is nutrient-rich and adds valuable organic material to the soil while regulating moisture and temperature.

    • Inorganic Mulch: These are non-biodegradable materials used for mulching and offer excellent weed suppression and moisture retention. Examples include:

      • Plastic Mulch: Plastic sheets or film are effective at preventing weed growth and conserving soil moisture.

      • Landscape Fabric: Woven or non-woven fabric can be laid on the soil to inhibit weed growth while allowing water and air penetration.

      • Rubber Mulch: Made from recycled tires, rubber mulch is long-lasting and helps with weed control and moisture retention.

  3. Benefits of Using Mulch:

    • Weed Control: Mulch forms a barrier that suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating.

    • Moisture Retention: Mulch helps to conserve soil moisture by reducing evaporation, which is particularly useful in arid or hot climates.

    • Soil Temperature Regulation: Mulch acts as insulation, keeping the soil temperature more stable and protecting plant roots from extreme cold or heat.

    • Soil Improvement: Organic mulch decomposes over time, enriching the soil with valuable nutrients and improving its structure.

    • Erosion Prevention: Mulch helps prevent soil erosion by reducing the impact of raindrops on bare soil.

  4. Application Tips:

    • Apply mulch to a depth of 2-4 inches for optimal weed suppression and moisture retention.

    • Leave a small gap around the base of plants to prevent moisture-related issues and discourage pests from hiding under the mulch.

    • Mulch should be replenished as it decomposes or gets displaced by wind or rain.

    • Be mindful of the type of mulch used, as some may be more suitable for specific garden areas or plant types.

In summary, gardening mulch is a versatile and essential component for maintaining healthy plants and soil in your garden. The choice of mulch type depends on your specific gardening goals and plant preferences, but it can significantly contribute to the overall success of your garden.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best gardening mulchs on the market
  

USSC Products BEDWORKS - 3000 Sq.Ft. Concentrated Mulch/Pine Straw Colorant. Restores Color of Old Faded Mulch and Pine Straw. (Black)

Product description

TurfWorks is a super concentrated, environmentally friendly, fast dry colorant, turf dye, paint to be spray directly applied on brown, dormant grass to instantly turn it a healthy lush looking natural green. The coverage area will depend on the dilution ratio, intensity of the green color required, the height of the grass to be painted and the speed and type of the application equipment used. One gallon should cover between 3,000 to 5000 square feet. TurfWorks is extremely durable and will not peel or flake from the grass blades. It will come off as grass becomes healthy and grows and the applied colorant is mowed off along with the grass blades. Super Concentrate must to with up to 10 parts of water before application. Tested by our chemists, by our customers and with excellent results by independent evaluation done by the University of North Carolina. Dries fast, water-resistant when dry and will not fade or turn blue after application. Turf dye works on all types of natural grass. Available in several shades, some are - Original, South western, Sugar Hill, ACC green, Cali Green. Far less expensive than over seeding. Recommended as a grass colorant for Home yards, Commercial lawns, Neighborhood common area grass and landscaping, Golf courses, Football fields, Soccer fields, etc.

  • ✔ Super Concentrated formula. Designed to be mixed with up to 10 parts of water before application.
  • ✔ Dries fast, water-resistant when dry and will resist fading
  • ✔ Works on all types of mulch & pine straw . Reduce yearly landscaping budget
  • ✔ Contain no hazardous materials, safe for the environment
  • ✔ This product is environmentally safe for people, plants & pets

FIDALIKA Coconut Mulch Cover Mulch Disc Plant Cover Coir Mat, for Gardening Mulch Disks Mulching (Size : 40cm)

Product description

Features:

Superior material

Made of needle-punched brown flakes, it is more densely waterproof and dust-proof, leaving ventilation holes for plant roots to breathe.

Protective plant

This flowerpot mat can protect plants very well, especially in cold winters, it can prevent frost, protect plants from frost damage, and prevent plant roots from rot in continuous rainy season.

Retain moisture

It can save a certain amount of water, even if the weather is very dry, it will not damage the growth of plants.

Applicable scenes

It is suitable for Flowerpot,Tree Fence ,can also be used as a decoration for your home or garden.

Specifications

Type:Mulch Mat

Material:needle-punched brown flakes

Quantity:1pc

Diameter:40cm/15.72in

35cm/13.76in

Net weight:110g/3.88oz

90g/3.17oz

Packages:

1*Mulch Mat

Packing list

1*Mulch Mat

  • Tree Protection Weed Mats Material: Coconut pads are extremely weather resistant, which is why they can be reused for long periods of time. In addition, they are breathable so that your plants will always be provided with enough oxygen.
  • mulch for landscaping Cover Functions: The covers can be used as a heat insulation layer of pots and flower pots to prevent coldness from rising below, or as the gadget for heat storage.
  • Ecological Control Cloth Mulch Suitable for: flowers and plants, tree etc. Keep the soil moist and the water and fertilizer are easy to infiltrate for plants roots developing.Coconut fiber is an extremely sustainable material because it is a by-product of coconut production, which requires no palm trees cutting or deforestation.
  • Round Weed Barrier Plant Cover Size: 40cm , 35cm
  • Mulch Films Package: 1pcs× Coconut fiber mats

EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch with Tack - Biodegradable Organic Processed Straw – 2.5 CU FT Bale (covers up to 500 sq. ft.)

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Get the lawn you’ve always wanted with the help of EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch with Tack. It’s the perfect add on solution for planting grass seed. EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch features processed straw with a bonding agent that gives straw a tackiness which holds it together. Prevents soil erosion and seeds from washing away. Speeds up germination and allows for less watering. Biodegrades, so there is no mess to clean up. Also protects seed from birds. Safe for children and pets. 99% weed free.



About EZ-Straw: EZ-Straw was developed by Rhino, a family owned and operated business since 1930. Offering superior products for Commercial and Residential landscape and law repair needs. EZ-Straw Erosion Blanket, Lawn Patch or Lawn Repair Kits, Seeding Mulch or just EZ-Straw Just Straw, EZ-Straw is your source for Specialty Landscape and Erosion Control Products. The Rhino family is committed to you and your success. You can expect top quality landscape and lawn & garden products. We will always provide you with the best service in the industry. We promise to be innovative and give you the tools and knowledge to get your job done right, with satisfaction guaranteed.

  • ORGANIC PROCESSED STRAW W/TACKIFIER – Premium Processed Straw with a bonding agent (Tackifier) that gives straw a tackiness which holds it together. This natural bonding agent is biodegradable and helps to protect grass seed from heavy washout and wind.
  • STRAW PROTECTS the SEED - The Straw Protects the grass seed from heavy washout, windy areas, birds and other animals
  • EASY TO APPLY – Twice cut and processed for easy application
  • BETTER RESULTS – Tack Bonding agent gives straw a tackiness which holds it together. Speeds up germination. Water less often. 99% weed free
  • BIODEGRADABLE - Biodegrades, no mess to clean up, just leave in place after the seed grows
  • SAFE and CONVENIENT - Safe for pets and children. Conveniently bagged, Easy to handle package. Bag is UV protected plastic and can be stored outside.

User questions & answers

Question: Does seed go down first or the straw
Answer: These run a size small. My son is a 10, in men's shoes/sneakers, but wears an 11 in these.
Question: Is this straw weed free
Answer: You could probably climb the wall better but you wouldn’t want to do anything else in them. Climbing shoes are great for climbing but little else. I would recommend a climbing approach shoe that has sticky rubber but you can still walk around in.
Question: Can I use this in my vegetable garden
Answer: Depends on homuch you are going to be wearing them if you are going to the gym or out in the open. And if you are an entry level climber or a more advanced climber
Question: Someone mentioned using this in their vegetable garden. Is it safe? I don't know what this bonding agent is and if it is meant for vegetable gardens
Answer: If that’s you’re street shoe. I’d say get these about a half size smaller cause they do stretch quite a bit once they are worn in. I wish I would of gone down a size cause I ended up progressing past the point of what these shoes could handle very quickly because they became so loose at my heel I lost confidence on foot holds.

Product features

Lets Talk Tackifier

  • Tackifier is a bonding agent that gives the straw a tackiness and holds it together protecting the grass seed from wind and heavy wash out.
  • Tackifier feeds the soil as it decomposes.
  • Tackifier is all natural making it safe for children and pets.

Beautiful Results

Seeding Mulch is the perfect add on to planting grass seed. Mulch protects the grass seed and allows for faster germination and less watering. Beautiful faster results.

FibreDust CoCo Mulch, 11- Pounds

FibreDust

Based on 303 reviews Check latest price

Product description

FD Coco Mulch is a 5 kg(11lbs), compressed mulch block. Manufactured by crushing coconut husks, coco mulch has many benefits over bark mulch. Unlike bark, coco mulch does not float and thus can be used on slopped surfaces. Because of coconuts high lignin content, FD Coco Mulch will outlast bark mulch, giving you up to 3 years of mulching benefits without refreshing. After hydrated with 4 gallons of water, each block expands to about 2 cubic feet of mulching medium. With a "rust" like look, FD Coco Mulch will bring color into your landscape and is perfect for any mulching job. Does not attract insects and is not harmful to pets. WARNING: NOT FOR CONSUMPTION.

  • 1 block expands to ≈2 cubic feet of mulching medium after hydrating with 4 gallons of water
  • 100% Coconut husk, contains not additives
  • "Rust" like color adds great aesthetic look to your outdoor landscape
  • No assembly required
  • NON-TOXIC: This is not the same as Cocoa Nut (Chocolate) husk - this is Coconut Husk Mulch. Please make sure your pet does not eat unexpanded mulch since this can expand when water is added.

User questions & answers

Question: Does this have splinters? Is it suitable for kids to occasionally walk on
Answer: No splinters. It is soft to walk on. I soaked it in water before applying to my garden. When dry, it was soft and felt good under my feet. I think it would be OK for a kid's playground. The only drawback is that it does stick to clothes, but brushes off and the fibers come off in the washer and dryer.
Question: Does the final look of this have a more "shredded" or "chip" appearance
Answer: the cubes shred apart ...the more you shred, the more straw-like it looks -- does not look like chips at all.
Question: How much ground will this cover, say to a depth of 2 or 3 inches
Answer: The hydrated mulch bale achieves a volume of 2 cubic feet, which would yield 6 sf of coverage at 2" depth, or 4 sf at 3" depth. It's more expensive than pine or cypress bark mulch, but is far better than either with regard to longevity, or appearance.
Question: I have 3 questions
Answer: 1. I am currently using it as a ground cover substantially wider than the plant it is under.2. We had high winds yesterday, and it stayed in place. I had watered it, and the plant it surrounds, after placement, which may have made all the difference. The winds were steady with high gusts all day long, not hurricane level, if that's what you mean.3. I scoff at weed barriers. When they start breaking down, weed seeds and their determined roots work their way through the fabric and the weeds take off. Removing the weeds and/or the barrier requires substantial effort. Laying any mulch on bare ground makes weed removal much simpler. Laying this mulch on top of a barrier would make them more susceptible to wind.

Blue Mountain Hay 100% Organic Garden Straw Mulch (5 lb.) for Raised Bed Gardens, Yard Landscaping, New Lawn Grass Seed Plantings, Tomato and Vegetable Compost & Fertilizer (Covers up to 75 sq. ft.)

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price
  • Unlike fabrics and covers, straw is actually good for your garden. Contains no chemicals.
  • It blocks out the sun, preventing hidden weeds from growing and preventing them from germinating
  • It retains moisture, so your soil stays damp longer (meaning you won’t need to water as often)
  • It shades your soil so cool season crops don’t bolt as soon, and encourages worm habitat.
  • As the straw breaks down and composts it acts as a fertilizer and improves your soil.

Product features

Pacific Northwest Grown

Blue Mountain Hay Organic Garden Straw is farmed and harvested fresh from the Pacific Northwest. Our family owned business is dedicated to providing premium grown straw that can help you unlock the full potential of your garden and lawn.

Replenish Your Garden

Organic garden straw helps keep your garden and flower beds cool and moist by adding a natural soil protection layer. The straw cover will reduce water evaporation from soil decreasing the amount of time you need to water which will help you save on summer water bills.

Organic Lawn Care

Organic garden straw is cut to length of 6" or smaller making it easy to spread during lawn seeding applications. Straw mulch helps protect grass seed from wind, washout from rain storms and consumption by birds and other animals.

Children & Pet Safe

Organic bedding straw contains no chemical additives making it a safe choice for pets and people. Incorporate straw into art's and crafts projects, autumn decorations or indoor flower pots.

Jumpstart Spring Lawncare with an 'Organic' Touch

Organic garden straw will help preserve and enhance your garden, flower beds and lawn. Apply our chemical-free organic mulch after planting your garden and seeding your lawn. Straw mulch will serve as a protective layer that will slowly feed nutrients into your soil until it has naturally degraded.

Straw helps protect grass seed from wind, washout from rain storms and consumption by birds and other animals. It also makes for excellent material to add to your compost bin.

Three Generations of Hard Work, Family and a Whole Lot of Fun

Blue Mountain Hay is a family-owned company that believes deeply in honesty, integrity, value, relationships, and “a good hard day’s work.”

From our family to yours, thank you for purchasing Blue Mountain Hay Organic Garden Straw.

100% Natural Cedar Chips | Mulch | Great for Outdoors or Indoor Potted Plants | Dog Bedding (4 Quart)

Based on 603 reviews Check latest price

Product description

A great addition to any home decor. Use in indoor and outdoor potted plants, hanging planters and other gardening pots. Will control weeds, hold moisture in soil. Great when used in and around animal bedding & has natural cedar aroma. Make your own sachet or leave in an open container to freshen the air. The smell of the cedar is subtle but does absorb moisture and unpleasant odors. 100% Customer Satisfaction. We take great pride in our Customer Service. Made In America!!!!

  • 100% Natural Cedar; Use with your outdoor and indoor plants; will hold moisture in!
  • Use as an air freshener; natural subtle cedar scent; Refill your cedar sachet bags; Made in USA
  • Put in animal bedding; Put in kitty litter; absorbs smelly odors
  • Great for hanging planters, essential home accessories
  • Generous amount of Organic Cedar Chips as bag contains close to 5 Quarts for a 4 Quart price!!

User questions & answers

Question: Are these pieces of cedar small enough to allow seeds to germinate. I wanted to use to keep soil moist waiting for seeds to germinate outside in FL
Answer: Thank you for your question. Yes, we live in Florida also and use this product often and had seeds germinate easily. Please let me know if you should have further questions. Very Best, Janice - Wood Smith USA
Question: I've read this repels clothes moths, does it doe anything to pantry moths (larvae
Answer: Yes, actually best time to handle the moths. I have also had great success with this handling fleas, ants and other pesky pests. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Very Best, Janice - Wood Smith USA
Question: How Much Does It Weigh
Answer: Thank you for your question. Each bag weighs approximately 1.5 pounds. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Very Best, Janice - Wood Smith USA
Question: How much space does almost 5 quarts cover
Answer: Thank you for your question. In the almost 5 quart bag I was able to put cedar chips in 12 potted plants of varying size and put about a 1/4 cup each in our cat litter and dog bedding. I noted that one of the potted plants that did not have the cedar chips on top was getting ants - this solved the problem. Also, find that I water the plants less often. Putting the chips in house potted plants also served as an air freshener. Please let us know if you have any more questions. Wood Smith USA

Pine Bark Mulch, 100% Natural Pine Bark Mulch, House Plant Cover Mulch, Potting Media, and More (4qt)

Based on 322 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Pine Bark Mulch, 100% Natural Pine Bark Mulch, House Plant Cover Mulch, Potting Media, and More (4qt)

Chunky pine bark mulch. 100% natural mulch in a resealable zipper bag.

Pine bark mulch is used to landscape homes, cover houseplants dirt for a more attractive presentation, shade the roots of grape vines, and much more.

Can this be used for orchid bark? Please research your type of orchid and compare the bark to the type of orchid, and plan according to research. It is widely disputed if this type of untreated pine bark can be used for such a task, many growers claim years or success and luck with such a bark, while others claim the untreated nature of this bark, may lead to unfavorable results.

  • High quality pine shavings for gardening projects, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO SIZE DESCRIPTION BEFORE ORDERING!
  • 4qt Bag of pine park mulch, this bag is a 13 inch x 10 inch bag, with one gallon of bark inside.
  • Great plant growing media, and for use in terrariums. Perfect for easy and clean pouring and use inside your home.
  • Each batch of pine mulch is fan dried to help curb moisture, and bagged weekly for shipping to customers
  • 100% All Natural Pine Bark Mulch. Great for gardening, crafts, house plant ground cover, and more.

User questions & answers

Question: Is this a dark color bark? I see two different colors shown for this item
Answer: That's what I bought it for. I found out about using this to deter cats from using the flower beds under our windows from my sister (a cat lover) a few years ago. She told me that the reason it keeps cats away is that they don't like walking on the shells. I bought some large bags of it, at that time at our local garden center and it wasn't that expensive. I can't say that this or that brand is any better or if this is more expensive. I don't remember. They both worked. I simply could no longer find it locally so I searched online and found this. The cats no longer use these beds, so I guess it works. I haven't witnessed cats around it but just that we no longer have that cat urine/feces smell wafting through the windows. It breaks down after a few months and has to be refreshed. How long it takes seems to depend on how wet it gets. I would say 4-6 months, depending on how fresh you want it. You are also training the cats not to bother going to these places. I use it in beds with full sun in the afternoons, so I don't have any problem with mildew or anything like what other people have complained about. It seems to absorb the old smells, and leaves a faint scent of cocoa as well.
Question: Does this have any tiny white bugs or any type of bug
Answer: The seed goes first. I spray the soil, then lay the seed. The straw then goes over the seed--not too thick, but full coverage--and protects it and holds in the moisture so seed can sprout. Also lightly spray the straw to hold it down and activate the bonding agent that will keep it from blowing around
Question: How many square feet of ground does 2 cubic feet of pine bark mulch cover
Answer: I’ve had a substantial amount of straw seed in these bags. I definitely would not say they are weed free.
Question: How Much Does It Weigh
Answer: Absolutely, yes. I've used this for the past five years in my vegetable container gardens. It contains no pesticides or chemicals, only straw and guar gum as the tacking agent. It's the best mulch I've used. I always go back to it when I attempt to try anything else.

MXCELL Heavy-Duty Garden Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric Durable Weed Block Gardening Mat, Easy Setup & Superior Weed Control, PP Plastic Mulch Weed Block, 6Ft x 16Ft

Based on 9 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Weed control cloth prevents direct sunlight, Strong structure of the fabric itself prevents weed or grass from going through, effectively inhibit the growth of weed or grass.

Timely exclusion of ground water keeps the ground clean. Rapid drainage of surface water together with the pebble layer and sand layer under the ground cloth can effectively inhibit the reverse osmosis of soil particles.

Laying structure of this PP woven fabric and the fabric itself ensures the air of the root has a certain degree of mobility. Great for the growth of plant roots, helps to prevent root from rot.

Prevent the extra growth of potted roots. The ground cloth can prevent the roots of plants from drilling into the ground which helps improve the quality of potted plants.

Woven fabric with one-way guidelines make the arrangements for plants in the greenhouse or outside pots.

1. High strength: the use of PP plastic flat yarn ensures full strength and elongation.

2. Corrosion-resistant: long-term corrosion resistance in different pH of the soil and water.

3. Good water and air permeability: gap between the flat yarn ensures a good water and air permeability.

4. Convenient construction: light and soft material easy to transport and construction.

5. High breaking strength: up to 20KN / m or more.

  • Width 6Ft and Length 16Ft Weed control fabric helps with drainage and keeps your garden groud clean, landscape and guiding; Widely used for weed barrier, irrigation work, road paving, building project(12PCS 8 Inch Plastic Garden Stakes Included)
  • Super easy to set up, you don’t need to be an expert or call in expensive professionals in order to use weed blocking fabric, since it is light enough so that you can carry and cut it and also heavy enough to protect your garden
  • Rows Line DESIGN makes it easy for your planting management, if you have to make planting holes in rows
  • Protect your soil from raining or watering,and Keep your place clear and neat; let air and water through, thus conserving your soil’s moisture and preserving its value
  • The heavy-duty, durable and sturdy design of the landscape weed barrier will provide you with premium weed protection for a very long time; Helping you to reduce chemicals so you can do your part for the environment too!

Longleaf Pine Straw - Mulch - Colored Black - 5 Bags per Box 100-140 Sq. Ft.

Colored Pine Straw

Based on 37 reviews Check latest price

Product description

With our Colored Pine Straw, your straw will look beautiful 2-4 times longer than Non-Colored! Our Colored Pine Straw colorant protects the straw from UV rays like sunscreen, so the colored longleaf lasts much longer & looks fresh for months and months. Our chopped pine straw bags are excellent for smaller foot prints such as small tree rings herbaceous (color) plant beds, gardens, courtyards, town or garden homes and tight landscaped areas surrounded by hardscapes such as pools, sidewalks, or business fronts.

  • 5 Bags per Box
  • 2 Cubic Ft. Bags
  • Each bag covers about 25 Sq. Ft. (2-3 Inch Depth)
  • 100% Natural Longleaf Pine Straw Mulch, Chopped

User questions & answers

Question: how many bags do you get for the
Answer: Sharp edge. Not like a knife though. I have used this tool a lot and really like it.

Houseplant Mulch - Small bark Wood Chips for Indoor, Patio, Potting Media, and Much More! (4qts)

Based on 51 reviews Check latest price
  • REDUCE WATERING FREQUENCY - Our bark mulch soil greatly reduces water evaporation and increases moisture retention so tropical houseplants require less watering
  • PLANT ROOT PROTECTION - Mulch serves as insulated shady covering for potting soil stopping plant roots from overheating during the summer. Mulch also helps insulate roots during winter months
  • BEAUTIFUL SOIL COVERING - Add visual consistency to your indoor potted plant garden with house plant mulch while also providing a natural mulch weed cover - chips are longer lasting than coconut coir or shavings.
  • DETER CRITTERS NATURALLY - Creates a less than ideal habitat for cats, gnats and fungus.
  • SOURCED SUSTAINABLY - Bark originates from sustainable pine forests in New Zealand. The mulch has a more natural look than moss and serves as a longer lasting alternative for plants. Our bark is processed with high heat and aging to remove pathogens and allow beneficial microorganisms to flourish.

User questions & answers

Question: will this hold up to walk on? to use between beds in walkways to prevent weeds
Answer: It will hold up for a few months if you pin it down well. I put a thin layer wood chips on top of mine for my garden walk rows and it lasts for for a year. At the end of the year I pull it up and allow the wood chips that have started to compost to go into the plant bed. I put lime on the bed and till it. It blocks weed very well since Black will not allow any light to pass thru.
Question: Is this breathable or is it truly plastic and will need a watering source under the plastic
Answer: No, this is plastic so you will need irrigation underneath or punch a hole to allow water in. We typically use drip tape underneath buried at least 2-3 inches under the soil.
Question: Does this break down and biodegrate or is it reusable yearly
Answer: this is a non degradable film so it will have to be removed. it is very thin so reuse can be done if replanting in the same bed without removing. we do carry degradable plastic mulch

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