What types of mulch are used?
Mulches include wood chips, pine needles, bark, cocoa hulls, leaves, compost and other products derived from plants. Hardwood shredded mulch is frequently used in this area. The shape of this mulch has a clinging effect that helps to keep it in place. Shredded Cypress and Cedar are also available. Bark chips are cookie-shaped chunks of bark with a coarse texture. A product called Enviromulch is made from old wood palates that were shredded and then dyed different colors – from earth tones to very bright shades. Wood chips are a byproduct of damaged or dead tree limbs that are run through a chipper and are sometimes available for free through your community. Cocoabean hulls, pine straw, leaf mold, and mushroom compost are good choices for perennial gardens. They do tend to decompose quickly, though, and need to be replenished more often then other types. Although some inorganic products like stone, lava rock and pulverized rubber may be promoted as “mulch”, they do not offer the same mo
