Mulch in flower beds and at the base of trees does a wonder of good for plants.  It insulates, keeping the temperature more steady and protecting roots from cold snaps and hot spells. It keeps soil moisture from evaporating so you don’t have to water as often. It shades out weed seeds so they don’t get enough light to sprout. In a ring around a tree trunk, mulch keeps bark-chewing weed eaters and lawn mowers at a safe distance.

We recommend organic mulch — anything that once was a tree — it breaks down to feed microorganisms that in turn nurture plants and make soil a better home for roots. Here are some things to think about when you are shopping for mulch.

1. Consider the source. Most commercial mulches are wood byproducts from the lumber industry. But cheap bags of mulch, such as those often sold at gas stations, may contain shredded construction debris or other waste with toxic chemicals, metals or lead paint.

2. Choose mulch for its purpose. Consider the plant when you choose. Medium-textured mulch such as shredded hardwood will work in most places.  An underlying layer of landscape fabric underneath mulch will help deter weeds.  Mulch color is strictly a matter of taste.

3. Plan ahead. To figure out the area to be mulched, break it down into smaller shapes, such as rectangles or circles, measure them and figure the area of each.  Click here for our mulch calculator.

1 cubic yard will cover about 100 square feet at that depth.

Our Mulches

Natural Hardwood Bark Mulch

Eco-Friendly Brown Dyed Mulch

Eco-Friendly Black Dyed Mulch