How to Get the Most Out of Your Mulch

Mulch is an essential garden tool for weed prevention, moisture retention, temperature regulation, and more. But you can’t just throw down a layer of any old mulch and expect the best results. Her are some simple ways every gardener can make the absolute most of out of mulch.

1. What Not to Use

If your lawn has been treated with a broadleaf weed control solution within the last 3-4 weeks, don’t use those grass clippings as mulch. Also, if you have dogs beware of cocoa hulls as they can be toxic to your pooch if they eat them.

2. Can I Use Pine Needles or Leaves?

Yes! Both pine needles and leaves from deciduous trees make great mulch. It’s best to shred the leaves first if you choose to use those. You can use both materials for a season and there compost them, or leave them where they are to decompose slowly and add another layer.

3. Go Thick

For your veggie garden, an inch of mulch should work well (especially straw, grass clippings, or shredded newspaper). Annual and perennial flowers will do better with about 2 inches of wood chips. Shrubs and trees need even more — up to 3 inches. It’s always wise to keep mulch about 1 foot away from your home’s foundation, so insects don’t migrate directly from your mulch to your home.

4. Consider Your Timing

Since one of the main purposes of mulch is to keep moisture in (along with keeping soil cooler and suppressing weeds), it’s best to apply mulch in late spring. If you lay it too early, you could delay the expansion of roots on your new plants.