Top 20 Garden Mulch

Garden Mulch makes gardening more fruitful and a lot more convenient. Mulching saves time on watering plants, getting rid of weeds, and fighting pests. Mulch also results in better looking and healthier plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other produce. Given the popularity of this gardening aid, various conventional and innovative products are offered under this category.

Organic and non-natural

Most Garden Mulch come either under the organic or the non-natural categories. Most conventional options are organic and are generally made from garden byproducts like grass cuttings, wood chippings, tree bark, pine needles, wood dust, etc. The non-natural products are a lot more innovative and include plastic mulch and that made from artificial fabric. Though most provide similar essential advantages, different types come with their unique features and benefits too. Below is a summary of various prevalent types of mulches and their specific positives:

Multiple advantages with straw mulch

One of the best options in Garden Mulch, straw or hay, is widely prevalent and suitable for most gardens. The product is lightweight, easy to handle, and looks neat when laid down over the plant/shrub beds. Ideal for all types of plants, they provide several benefits like adding nutrients to the soil, minimizing weed-problems, and retaining moisture. Various types made from several plants, including hay, pine straw, wheat straw, etc., are available.

Wood chips and shredded leaves

Wood chips and shredded leaves are readily available and are an excellent mulching option for flower beds, shrub borders, and decorative purposes. This product is affordable and nutrient-rich while also providing the other advantages that come with mulching. They are suitable to be used for flower beds, garden paths, and foresty or shady areas. They are convenient to mulch but should be avoided with vegetable gardens.

Eco-friendly, multi-functional rubber mulch

Rubber mulch comes under the non-natural type but is considered an eco-friendly option. Made from recycled tires, this type of mulch comes with many unique features and advantages. Unlike the natural variety, it doesn't decompose or disintegrate and hence lasts longer. Additionally, this product is also multi-functional and is used to reinforce and make playgrounds and play-areas safer.

Plastic film for mulching

Plastic film is one of the most recent Garden Mulch revolutions and is considered a wonder product. Both the black-variety and the red-variety are available where the red colored one is said to work better for tomato and eggplant. This product comes with several advantages like increased heat transfer, weed control, and soil moisture retention.

Nitrogen-rich grass clippings

Grass clippings are a widely used form of mulch. The inherent advantage is that they are readily available and are considered a natural fertilizer, especially when it comes to lawns. They can also be used for mulching gardens and are primarily preferred as a convenient, nitrogen-rich fertilizer mulch for vegetable gardens.