What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mulch for Your Garden

With spring in the air and warmer temperatures moving in, it’s time to get out into the sunshine and back in the garden! Spring is the perfect time to spruce up flower beds, which might include adding fresh mulch to your landscape. 

Mulch is an easy and affordable way to keep plants healthy and happy while boosting the overall aesthetic of your yard. However, with all of the choices on the market, it can be tricky to decide what is best for your landscaping design.

In this post, we share 3 important factors to consider when it comes to choosing the best mulch for your needs!

The Right Texture

Mulch comes in a variety of colors and textures, depending on the materials used to make the mulch. From wood chips to grass clippings and even coconut husks, creativity is at your fingertips.

It is important though, to consider how the texture will affect your plants. It’s recommended to go with a medium-textured mulch that won’t pack down and retain moisture like finer-textured mulch tends to do. When the mulch is made up of fine particles, moisture evaporates before reaching plant roots.

On the other hand, mulch that is too coarse is incapable of holding enough moisture to properly supplement the soil.

Go Organic 

If possible, opt for organic mulch that has been composted, as it will break down naturally over time and provide the organic component humus that nourishes the soil. 

Also check whether the organic mulch has been treated to kill pests, weeds, or harmful microorganisms from impacting your garden.

The Right Way to Apply Mulch

Applying mulch isn’t the hard part, it’s knowing how much to apply. If you go overboard, you risk decay, which can lead to plant disease. Furthermore, when mulch is too thick, it’s difficult for water to reach the soil.

It’s recommended to evenly spread out your mulch so that it’s two to four inches thick. Don’t go too thin or else weeds will be able to grow through the mulch.