We researched the best mulches available online, evaluating durability, composition type, and value. Our best overall pick, the Texas Native All-Natural Hardwood Mulch, is all-natural, provides excellent moisture retention, and has a rich color that won’t fade over time. Here are the best mulches. For those who prefer a more striking colorized option, Texas Native mulch does come in an EPA-approved, black-dyed option. Either option makes an attractive addition to your garden, yard, or landscaping. Price at time of publish: $3 Type: Organic | Use: Soil regulation, weed suppression, moisture retention It does break down and fade faster than some of its competitors, but if you are looking to upgrade your outdoor space without spending a lot of money, Vigoro mulches will deliver a big bang for your buck. Colorized mulch does fade over time so to maintain the most vibrant looks, you should plan to replace it at least once per season. Keeping water off of the mulch for at least 24 hours after application can help with color retention. Price at time of publish: $4 Type: Inorganic | Use: Weed prevention, moisture retention, temperature control Rubber mulch tends to be more expensive than its all-natural competitors but lasts for much longer. If you want to put down mulch once and enjoy it for years, the NuScape rubber mulch is a product you will love. Just be ready to invest upfront in its higher cost. Price at time of publish: $34 Type: Organic | Use: Weed prevention, moisture control Long Leaf Pine Straw is a great option because it is inexpensive and allows water to pass through easily to get to your vegetables. You may still get some weeds that pop through, but these can be easily removed by hand when needed. It tends to have fewer potential seeds than similar options, like straw or hay. Price at time of publish: $45 Type: Inorganic | Use: Weed prevention, plant growth Price at time of publish: $53 Type: Organic | Use: Moisture retention, temperature regulation, plant growth This mulch is also available in brown and red. For the longest-lasting color, you should make sure that the mulch is dry for at least 24 hours after applying it to your yard. Colored mulch does need to be replaced at the end of the season or more often, depending on how much sun it receives. Harsh sun or extreme weather can cause the color to fade faster. Price at time of publish: $4 Type: Inorganic | Use: Temperature regulation, weed prevention, moisture conservation This is a great option to fill in holes or improve bare patches in your lawn. For those beginning a new garden, Scotts Topsoil is the perfect addition to spruce up the area before and during planting. Keep in mind that this topsoil is designed to be used in-ground rather than in containers or raised beds. It does not prohibit the growth of weeds in garden beds. Price at time of publish: $3 Type: Organic | Use: Soil conditioning, root development, weed prevention You will need to purchase grass seed separately, which allows you to customize the application to match your existing lawn. All you need to do is water occasionally to keep the mulch in place. As your grass grows, the pellets break down naturally, leaving you with nothing but a lush lawn. Price at time of publish: $12 Type: Organic | Use: Fertilization, moisture retention, bare spot repairing
Use
Mulch is used to create a barrier between the soil underneath and the environment. This can help regulate the temperature of the soil and retain moisture, both beneficial to the roots of plants growing in the mulch. It can also prevent weeds from sprouting, as they do not get sufficient sunlight to germinate and grow.
Pet Safety
Not all mulch products are safe for pets. Cocoa shells as mulch, also known as cocoa bean mulch, is harmful to dogs because it contains caffeine and theobromine, two compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a very fast heart rate, tremors, and seizures in dogs. If you are a pet owner, it’s best to steer clear of these types of mulch completely. Instead, look for a natural alternative that is pet-safe.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, who has used mulch to spruce up her yard and benefit her garden in California, Hawaii, Virginia, and North Carolina. Texas Native is her go-to choice after testing out multiple options as she moved around the United States. She is always looking for the best value and performance to enhance her outdoor space. Mulch can be made from natural materials, such as wood, straw, clippings, compost, or even paper. Called organic mulch, this type of mulch can help the soil quality as well as look great in your garden. You should make sure that your organic mulch does not include seeds that will sprout and work against your hard work. Inorganic mulch includes types that are made of synthetic materials, such as rubber pellets or plastic weed sheets. This type of mulch is often more expensive to set up but can last for a long time and look great. It also does not break down over time. This can be a pro or a con, depending on your reason for laying mulch. Fall is another great time to mulch your garden, especially if you are using organic mulch to improve your soil quality. Mulching in the fall insulates your soil during the colder winter months. Some plants need the cold weather to go dormant, so waiting until the first frost can be a great way to both support your plants and have time to get the mulch down before the cold days and nights of winter. If the mulch still provides cover, you can reuse it for another season. Rake it to one side as you tend to the soil underneath. This is especially important in vegetable, herb, and fruit gardens where you plan to grow plants to eat. Test your soil, add any nutrients it needs, then rake the mulch back over to cover. The one exception to this is when your plants or garden experienced disease that you think is tied to the mulch. In this case, you should remove and dispose of the mulch safely. You will need to add a new layer of mulch to cover your soil before the growing season begins.
