Is wood mulch good for gardens?

Wood chips and bark mulch improve soil texture, suppress weeds, and conserve water. Shredded mulch is often used for flower beds, but it isn't always the right choice. Some shredded and dyed wood mulch contains chemical additives that can be harmful to the soil and the environment.

How often should you replace wood mulch?

Mulch should be replaced as you start seeing signs of decomposition, discoloration, and soil erosion. You'll most likely need to replace all mulch after six years.

Can wood mulch catch fire?

Yes, especially when the weather is hot and it's been dry for an extended time. Mulch that is piled more than a few inches may build up heat and spontaneously catch fire.

Does wood mulch stop weeds from growing?

Wood chips can suppress weed growth, making your flower beds require less maintenance. Proper installation and maintenance help maximize their ability to stop weed growth.

Does wood mulch attract bugs?

Most do, yes. If this is something you're concerned about, note that cedar chips repel, kill, or can inhibit insects such as cockroaches, termites, cloth-eating moths, carpet beetles, and certain ants.

How long does wood mulch take to decompose?

It depends. Treated woodchips will take longer than untreated. They'll start decomposing around two years in and will typically break down fully in four years.

Can I use wood chips instead of mulch?

Yes. Wood chips are great for mulching around shrubs and trees. Wood chips absorb moisture and break down more slowly than shredded mulches. The chemical diversity within wood chips makes it an excellent choice for adding nutrients to your soil. The chips may contain bark, leaves, or several tree species.

What is the difference between wood chips and mulch?

Wood chips and bark mulch usually comes directly from trimmed trees, while shredded mulches sometimes contain wood recycled from the paper and lumber industries. Wood-chip mulch often contains larger chunks than shredded mulch. Shredded wood mulch is usually a byproduct of the lumber and paper industries, rather than coming from a freshly cut tree.

In-Depth Product Guide

Wood Mulch

FAQs

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Wood mulch is made from wood chips or bark and is used for aesthetics, to retain soil moisture and prevent weed growth.

Wood mulch is available in a number of dyed colors, including various shades of brown, red, and black. Red mulch is dyed using iron oxide to provide a rust-like color. Black mulch is dyed using carbon to provide a charcoal-like color. Most other dyes for mulch are vegetable-based.

Look to source your mulch from local suppliers, to support local forestry operations and reduce transport distance. Mulch is sold through landscaping companies and building supply stores in 50-liter bags, larger bales, or delivered in larger quantities. Also, look for wood mulch that has not been treated with preservatives, creosote, or other harmful chemicals. Cedar bark mulch is the longest-lasting shredded tree mulch, holding up for as long as five years if you rake it around every year.

Helps conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and slow down weed growth. With mulch, you can reduce watering needs and avoid weeding or spraying herbicides to control weeds. Wood mulch is a renewable resource that is usually made from waste wood from sawmill operations.