What are the best mulch options?

A visual guide showcasing three types of organic mulch: wood mulch, lawn clippings, and straw & hay
A red wheelbarrow filled with organic mulch, a shovel, and a garden bed
Organic mulch

Made from materials like wood chips, straw, grass clippings, and compost, these mulches decompose over time, enriching the soil and providing nutrients for plants[1][3][4][5].

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The shredded hardwood mulch has a rough and rugged appearance with a mixture of light and dark brown colors, giving a uniform and natural look.
Shredded hardwood mulch

Attractive and biodegradable, it's suitable for perennial flower gardens and helps retain moisture while preventing weeds[2].

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The gardener’s hand is holding reddish-colored wood mulch that was extracted from a white sack while wearing striped, colorful gardening gloves.
Dyed wood mulch

Offers bold color and works well for decorative purposes, but might not enrich the soil as it is chemically treated[2].

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Small, medium, and large sized pine bark nuggets, which comes in a variety of sizes. They have nice soft texture and a perky reddish brown color.
Pine bark nuggets

Lightweight and effective in retaining moisture, good for decorative uses around flowers, shrubs, and pathways[2].

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A brown metal wheelbarrow is loaded with wood chips. Front of it is a white rectangular garden with plants growing, and situated on a wide area of small green grass.
Fresh wood chips

Can be obtained for free from tree removal services, effective for pathways and weed suppression[2].

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Someone wearing gloves pressing down leaf mulch on top of soil of a plant in a pot
Someone wearing gloves pressing down leaf mulch on top of soil of a plant in a pot
A layer of shredded brown leaves that fell on the top soil’s surface is scattered over and around the plants. Two types of little green plants are planted in the garden.
Leaf mulch

Nutrient-rich and helps retain moisture, ideal for layering around various plants[2][3].

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grass in the compost pile
A close-up of grass clippings in garden soil. The brownish grasses are lightly spread around the garden, where small green plants are planted in a straight row, evenly spaced.
Grass clippings

A source of nitrogen-rich mulch, though should be used with caution as they can mat down[2][3].

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grass in the compost pile
wheelbarrow of compost
how to make compost
Compost

An excellent mulch that enriches the soil and retains moisture, good for a variety of plants[4][5].

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A close-up of pine straw, which is made up of mostly undecomposed pine needles that have fallen to the ground. Its deep, auburn color adds vigor and liveliness to the landscape.
Pine straw

Lightweight and porous, effective for moisture retention and sunny spots, but may not prevent weeds without additional layers[2][3].

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In the rectangular garden bed, dense layer of dried, hollow white hay stalks is seen.
Wheat straw

Good for moisture retention and weed prevention, often used in vegetable gardens[2][5].

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A close-up of recycled rubber mulch. A white sack is filled with black crumbs of rubber.
Rubber mulch

Retains moisture and suppresses weeds, made from recycled tires, but does not enrich soil[4].

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Placement of loose, evenly graded crushed gray rock bits on the ground that appears effortlessly attractive. The vibrant green plant is surrounded by gravel.
Mulches and mulching - gravel mulch around plants
Gravel

Long-lasting and decorative mulch, effective for dry landscapes but can heat up and does not improve soil[4][5].

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Landscape fabric
Landscape fabric

Allows water and air through while blocking weeds, but can degrade over time[4].

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The black plastic mulch is perforated with many tiny holes from which little plants are placed. A couple more raised beds that are organized next to each other are seen and are covered with landscaping plastic.
Plastic sheeting

Used to suppress weeds effectively, but can lead to watering challenges for plants[5].

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Flattened brown cardboards are placed in a field of green grass. Afar, there is a piled-up dead yellow grass used for gardening.
Cardboard

A low-cost option for weed suppression, but needs to be topped with another mulch for stability[3].

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A close-up of a stack of printed newspapers, all of which had been folded in half before being compiled.
Newspaper

Breaks down quickly and provides a weed-blocking layer, best used under another mulch[3].

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Bagged Brown Mulch
Flattened brown cardboards are placed in a field of green grass. Afar, there is a piled-up dead yellow grass used for gardening.
The gardener’s hand is holding reddish-colored wood mulch that was extracted from a white sack while wearing striped, colorful gardening gloves.
Wood mulch

Made from timber wood chip, it improves soil structure and helps with weed control when layered appropriately[3].

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Mushroom compost
Mushroom compost
Mushroom compost

Alkaline and light, excellent for lime-loving vegetables but should be avoided around acid-loving plants[4].

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1wet leaf mold breaking down
2grass and leaf mold before and after breaking down
2sweet peas growing with mulched bark and leaf mold
Leaf mold

A quick reward mulch made from shredded leaves, excellent for soil improvement[4][5].

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Well-rotted horse manure
Well-rotted horse manure
Well-rotted horse manure

Rich in nutrients, suitable for hungry plants, but needs to be aged[4].

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Shredded rubber mulch
Shredded rubber mulch
Shredded rubber mulch

Provides moisture retention and weed suppression but use with caution due to potential chemical leaching[4].

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