Mulch is Worth the Cost to Improve the Yard

Some new thoughts from Beth Botts in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

A layer of mulch over the soil does plants no end of good.

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.

Here are things to think about when shopping for mulch.

• Consider the source. Most commercial organic mulches, apart from straw, are wood byproducts from the lumber industry. Bagged mulches from good garden centers or home-improvement stores or bulk mulches from reputable landscape supply companies are likely clean and safe. 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. And never buy cypress mulch, even though it is widely sold by reputable stores: It may come from clear-cutting virgin trees in Southern wetlands.

• Choose mulch for its purpose. Consider the plant when you choose. Medium-textured mulch such as shredded hardwood will work in most places. But in a permanent layer around trees, big chunks such as pine bark nuggets will last longer. You wouldn’t want to dig through them in perennial beds, though, so use something finer. In vegetable beds, use something fluffy and easily decomposed such as straw. Gravel mulch, recycled glass or recycled rubber tires will cover the ground, but won’t improve soil as organic mulch does, and the pieces tend to stray all over the yard. An underlying layer of landscape fabric underneath mulch will help deter weeds, if you will never want to dig there. But replenish and tidy the mulch periodically to keep the fabric hidden. Mulch color is strictly a matter of taste; undyed dark brown mulch is the most classic look.