Mulch 101

[Anonymous]

First-time homeowner here. We've lived in our place for a nearly a year. The yard is nicely landscaped and is covered with a mulch that is more chunky than what they're selling at Ace Hardware, which is mostly different types of highly shredded wood. Ours is thinning and looking worn, so I want to spread a new supply. I'm trying to avoid the jet-black mulch (which I understand may be dyed and not as good for plants) and go for something a little more natural, which is what we have now and may be pine bark, from what I'm seeing on Lowe's site. Please post any tips of mulching as well as recommended types/brand. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Get double shredded hardwood mulch. Lots of high school booster club fundraisers right now. Lowe's and HD mulch is usually dyed and crappy.

[Anonymous]

I have bags of shredded hardwood mulch delivered from a landscaping supply place. It’s a natural color. Bulk mulch is cheaper but I find the bagged easier to handle on my own.

[Anonymous]

termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

Bizarre post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

This issues has been investigated by the University of MD, as refereenced in this article by the University of Iowa Extension Service.

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2001/5-4-2001/mulch.html

[Anonymous]

I have purchased double shredded brown mulch (not black and not red).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

Bizarre post.

+1

[Anonymous]

Don’t use mulch. It looks stupid. Plant flowers closely together and you won’t have weeds.

[Anonymous]

Mulching contributes to a moist environment, good for trees and shrubs and unfortunately good for termites

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

If termites like wood so much then why aren’t trees full of them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:termites ! you're just giving termites a home. They like wood, you know !
(I've never understood this desire to mulch your yard)

Bizarre post.

+1

Any time any one mentions mulch on this board, they chime in about termites.

[Anonymous]

I searched chatgpt for my area, which has clay soil and hot summers. It recommended double-ground hardwood mulch. Hardwood means it's source is hardwood trees, and double-ground means how it's processed. Double-ground is better than double-shredded.

It said to absolutely not use colored mulch (because it's unnatural), which is dyed black, brown, or red; and no rubber mulch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get double shredded hardwood mulch. Lots of high school booster club fundraisers right now. Lowe's and HD mulch is usually dyed and crappy.

The shredded stuff stops water from reaching the soil. I use the large annoying chunks. They move around but they dont form an impenetrable mat.

[Anonymous]

Also for the love of all that grows, dont mulch around your trees. Only in the US do we do this stupid practice.