Mulch Madness: The Pros and Cons of Various Mulch Material - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of pine mulch? ›

The only problem was that pine bark is one of the poorest mulch choices. Yes, it's better than shredded rubber, dyed wood scraps, or leaving bare soil exposed to sun and wind, but pine bark has some bad properties including nasty natural chemicals (terpenes, phenols, etc.) that affect plant growth.

Shredded Bark or Wood

While it doesn't do as well with compaction as bark chips, it's still a dependable option. The main cons for shredded bark is the color fades if you select a dyed variation and depending on the type of wood used, the material may contain toxins that can leach into the soil.

Disadvantages. Because mulch blocks sunlight, it prevents some seeds from germinating. This is good for keeping weeds away from the beds, but not for your good seeds. You can prevent this problem waiting until plants green up before mulching.

But, generally, using organic mulch made from wood chips or bark will be the best choice. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to ensure the long-term health and fertility of your soil and the health of your trees and shrubs.

Finally, avoid large, bark type mulch or big wood chips. Since these big pieces take a long time to decompose, and they end up depriving the soil and plants of nutrients.

Termites feed on wood, so mulch made from softwood or bark is more likely to attract them or other pests. Avoid using the below types of wood chip mulch if possible: Cypress mulch: Sapwood is a perfect meal for termites. Pine bark mulch: Tends to attract various garden pests and termites.

While mulching in early fall is safe, you should never mulch during late fall. "This can insulate the ground and prevent plant dormancy," says Morrell. The much-needed hibernation helps plants survive the cold winter months.

Woodchips. Not only great for mulch but also make an attractive feature in your garden. Putting down a 4–6cm layer provides good weed control.

Bark mulch lasts for a long time, especially if it's undisturbed. You can expect it to last for seven to ten years if you maintain it properly. The bark mulch should have constant contact with the soil underneath and receive water regularly.

If you're getting ready to install mulch in your landscape beds, you are likely wondering if you need to first remove the old mulch. Well, the simple answer is no! It's not necessary to remove the old mulch from your landscape beds because it's made up of organic material, and it will decompose over time.

Will mulch turn into soil? ›

Over time, mulch will break down and effectively become topsoil but it shouldn't be used in lieu of topsoil. That said, while you could leave your topsoil uncovered, it is wise to cover it with mulch to avoid erosion from the rain and overheating from our hot sun.

There are several reasons why mulching your lawn is beneficial. Mulched grass gives the lawn natural nutrients. It is an organic fertilizer in the form of finely shredded grass. In addition, a mulch layer prevents weed growth and protects the soil and soil life from weather conditions.

Brown mulch is a nice touch to any lawn and garden, and its natural color makes both light and darker-colored plants appear vibrant when paired together. This color mulch works well in small areas, but tends to lose its beautiful color after just one season.

Which mulch lasts the longest? Stone is the longest-lasting mulch, followed by landscape fabric. Black plastic and rubber mulch last a long time, and help with both heat and water retention in the soil, though they're also more expensive than stone or landscape fabric.

Pine bark is more acid (lower pH) than other mulches, which is very beneficial for most landscape plants. It also uses less nitrogen to decompose, so less fertilizer is needed to keep plants healthy.

Organic mulch prepared from pine bark helps in retaining moisture of plants and prevents soil-borne diseases from spreading. Other Benefits are : Keeps the soil moist and moderates soil temperature. Reduces weeds by preventing seeds from sprouting.

“Flowering perennials such as daylilies, Shasta daisies, coreopsis and canna lilies grow well when mulched with pine needles.

Because it's made of leaves, pine straw has the same advantages (and some of the disadvantages) that organic mulch has against inorganic mulch. Pine straw nourishes the soil, is better for your plants, and is quite affordable, but it can house pests, might have weed seeds, and eventually breaks down.