8 Different Types of Wood Mulch

Choosing a mulch would seem to be a instead simple decision, but it isn’t often that easy. There are really several different varieties of wooden mulch, each with its own advantages and aesthetics.

Of training course, selecting the proper sort of wood mulch is tough to do if you really don't know all the distinct sorts accessible. For that reason, to lend you a hand, in this post we’ll be hunting at all the various types of obtainable possibilities.

The 8 Different Types of Wood Mulch

1. Pine Needles

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
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  • Use: For acid-loving plants

When you first believe of wooden mulch, you possibly really do not believe of pine needles. Even so, they are truly a fantastic selection for plants that like their soil to be far more acidic. As the pine needles decay, they will boost the pH of the soil.

Pine needles are also really aromatic, which permits them to insert a wonderful scent to your property. Nevertheless, numerous animals do not like the odor of pine needles and so they can be employed to preserve some animals away from your flowerbeds.

Pine needles are typically a special alternative for those searching for anything a bit a lot more eye-catching. Using pine needles for mulching purposes is not really frequent, so it will established you apart from your neighbors. Plus, they are often really inexpensive and easy to operate with.

Pros
  • Fragrant
  • Acidic
  • Unique
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Not suitable for all plants

2. Bark

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
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  • Use: Aesthetic purposes

If you’re mulching your yard mainly for aesthetic purposes, you should contemplate utilizing bark. It is a single of the most eye-catching mulches all around thanks to the naturalness of the coloration. This kind of mulch is very easy to do on your own and typically really economical, and you can uncover bark mulch in most locations.

Bark mulch also allows h2o to flow into the floor more easily, making it a great choice for water-loving plants and flood-inclined regions. Furthermore, when it decays, bark provides back a great deal of nourishment into the soil. It also ought to be risk-free for most crops.

Pros
  • Aesthetically appealing
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to do on your own
  • Allows water to enter the soil
Cons
  • Color isn’t always as even as other options

3. Wood Chips

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
Image Credit: Olichel, Pixabay
  • Uses: Budget option

Many new house owners and these searching for a spending budget selection may decide to use wooden chips to mulch their garden. Nonetheless, this is not advisable until you merely want the most affordable choice obtainable. Wooden chips are affordable for a cause. Occasionally, you can even get them for free of charge.

Wood chips typically decay extremely swiftly, so you will need to mulch the spot typically. They also do not appear as excellent considering that their dimensions and shape can be really haphazard, plus they might even introduce pests based on the branches used. You in no way know what you’re receiving with wood chips.

Pros
  • Budget option
  • Easily accessible
Cons
  • Can introduce pests
  • Not very aesthetically pleasing
  • Decay quickly

4. Colored Mulch

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
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  • Uses: Extensive mulching

For those that need to mulch a large area, colored mulch is often utilized as it is the most uniform choice. Normally, this type of mulch comes in reds and blacks, however specialty shades are available as well. Since of the added operate that gets set into this mulch, it is often far more expensive. It isn’t odd for the shades to fade in the sun, which at some point ruins the look.

Thankfully, the dye utilised is secure and non-harmful and it’s usually just good with most crops. Nonetheless, it can transfer to your hands when you’re spreading it.

With that stated, colored mulch can appear from two resources: plain, protected wood, and handled hardwood. Generally, handled hardwood arrives from demolished buildings and development projects. Dyeing the wood handles up the imperfections and helps make it less difficult to promote. However, it can possibly leach substances into the floor which can destroy a backyard garden.

Pros
  • Even coloration
  • All sorts of colors available
  • Uniform appearance
Cons
  • Potentially unsafe
  • Colors fade quickly
  • Expensive

5. Non-colored Mulch

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
Image Credit: siala, Pixabay
  • Uses: Various

Non-colored mulch is simply any type of wooden shavings that are not dyed. Some of the other mulches on this list would technically slide into this classification.

Typically, this kind of mulch is incredibly inexpensive but does not have many rewards and is not especially aesthetically satisfying. As an alternative, it’s commonly used in design, specifically when a new home has just been constructed. Home owners that make their own mulch typically end up with non-colored mulch, which they could then use in their garden.

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Widely accessible
Cons
  • Not very aesthetically pleasing

6. Cedar Mulch

  • Uses: Fragrant insect repellent

Cedar mulch is the all-star of mulches. It is very fragrant and much-hated by bugs. Consequently, it is a fantastic way to maintain pests away from your backyard and residence. Not only can this help save your garden, but it can also preserve your house. If termites are likely to be a problem in your area, you should spend the extra value for cedar.

Since it is this kind of a certain wood, though, cedar mulch is normally expensive. It has to be delivered into most areas, which is the main reason it is so expensive.

On the other hand, cedar also lasts a extended time. This attribute is a little bit of a double-edged sword. Whilst it does suggest you will not have to redo the mulch for a even though, it also signifies that this mulch will not insert numerous vitamins back into your soil.

Pros
  • Insect-repellant
  • Long-lasting
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t add much to the soil

7. Cypress Mulch

  • Uses: Aesthetic

Cypress mulch is equivalent to cedar. It repeals bugs in a related fashion, which can make it a great alternative for gardens and areas with a lot of termites. Even so, as opposed to cedar, cypress mulch is an desirable blond coloration, which can make it a little bit more aesthetically pleasing.

Even so, cypress mulch is much a lot more expensive as it’s difficult to harvest. Moreover, cypress trees are essential for the environment, and taking away them can do lots of harm.

Pros
  • Repeals bugs
  • Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Environmentally harmful

8. Straw

8 Different Types of Wood Mulch
Image Credit: jaminr80, Pixabay
  • Uses: Gardening

Straw could not be a standard mulch. However, it is a wonderful option for individuals that backyard garden. It has excellent insulating traits which can be a very good alternative for some gardens. You can also repeatedly turn the soil above as it decomposes which adds numerous vitamins and minerals to the soil.

Several men and women use straw more than new developments to insert some nutrients again to the soil, allowing grass to expand.

In addition, it is low cost and lightweight. Most people can spread it themselves, which also reduces your labor expenses.

Pros
  • Decomposes quickly
  • Insulating
  • Cheap
  • Easy to work with
Cons
  • Must be redone annually

Relevant Read: 8 Ideal Leaf Mulchers – Leading Picks & Reviews

Conclusion

There are several various varieties of mulch out there – each and every with its very own distinct utilizes and rewards. Deciding on the best option for your yard is a issue of figuring out why you are mulching your garden and picking a mulch that best aligns with that function.

For instance, if you’re mulching a big location, then you may decide to purchase colored mulch so that it looks much more uniform. However, if you are mostly trying to get grass to develop, straw is preferable as it insulates the soil. Alternatively, you may decide to use cedar mulch in your long term backyard beds to keep bugs out. As we’ve stated earlier, the critical aspect is that you match the mulch according to your requirements.

You may also be fascinated in: ten Gardening Facts – Trivia and Data on Gardening


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