The Best and Worst Mulch for Your Garden | Southern Living

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Our very own Grumpy Gardener gives you the low-down on the mulch varieties to buy and those to avoid.
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[@JamaicaDancehallTV]

He is speaking to me, I have a truck on blocks in the backyard and about to put down red mulch

[@ceecee8757]

I love this guy's honesty. No BS.

[@p208134]

I hate this guy. Total BS

[@wespeacock793]

LOL! The red mulch belongs in the landfill. I agree with the mini nugget Pine bark and even the large chunk Pine bark in selected large beds. Great color and color retention, minus the dye.

[@tomlandon209]

Pine straw is an excellent mulch for strawberries.

[@harishchand1008]

Lol! I enjoyed every minute, some old vibe humor, you dont see that much today

[@kendrickgreen341]

Yes...

[@MVPDabba]

As a landscaper I’d have to suggest something with a good water retention. Very fibrous and gritty mulch. Not necessarily pine needles but standard barkomulch (a little bit finer than the nuggets) or hemlock which is almost dirt it’s so fine Also if you have a pet don’t get the dyed stuff they will stain your carpets

[@jackimackenzie4251]

The red mulch is great for businesses it's colorfully and a hard wood. It lasts it fades but a good way to brighten up a business it makes flowers pop with color but to each there own

[@giotinez5996]

I use red premium mulch... Yes from Home Depot It smells nice and look beautiful, 2 months passed already and It looks like been placed yesterday.

[@johnduck2190]

How much did it cost you I just moved into a hoa development and they are on my ass about my yard

[@giotinez5996]

3.30 per bag but in may price will drop up a buck.

[@littlemissblueyes100]

I getbover a years worth of color out of HD mulch I wait till it goes on one of their really good sales. I really only use mulch for initial planting to cover dirt, retain water, and keep out weeds. Most plants fill in after that.

[@jpcreativeimagery]

LOL, carcinogenic tire mulch...perfect my ORGANIC garden and my health. Thanks for the great and quick video.

[@shirleysenkler781]

If you buy your plants from a good local nursery ask a staff member about mulch. I ordered and had 2 deliveries this year. I decided to get serious this year and quit doing a few bags at a time when I could get somewhere with friends. So much happier with how my garden beds look.

[@cutiepie-ik1mv]

I laughed when he said stop using red mulch it makes you look foolish.i agree!😀

[@sarabendrick7252]

So true!

[@rosebud4387]

Makes you look foolish..lol!

[@rosebud4387]

Red mulch is the new trendy designer garden much.For foolish gardeners.

[@officialdiva4898]

Yea me too. Everyone knows you have a truckload in the back and hey look everyone I just planted something 😂🤣. Hes too funny

[@officialdiva4898]

@@rosebud4387lol he kills me

[@joshuataff4894]

All in need to know in less than 3 minutes! Thanks!!!! Now that I think about it, yes, spreading ground up tires all around my yard does seem a little absurd.

[@karawaters829]

Rubber mulch is great for playgrounds. Helps protect kids from getting hurt when they inevitably fall.

[@sheliarouch375]

Lol..red mulch you'll just look foolish!! Love it

[@noahmeme2]

My mom almost used rubber mulch around my vegetable beds. It took me a week before I convinced her to buy pine nuggets. Now time to convince her rubber tree rings are bad for fruit trees.

[@adarshguptak]

Loved it.. please make a detailed video on pine mulch. Thanks!

[@dubliners0999]

I love red-dyed mulch. Contrasts with the blue of my siding. Hmmm...

[@christinasimmons689]

I like my red mulch too. It’s not junk wood though. It’s quality mulch that’s just been dyed red. I think it looks nice and I certainly don’t have a truck up on blocks in my backyard. Not that there’s anything wrong with that either 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@glow1815]

I got the brown and definitely not a tuck load lol. I have a mini garden in our backyard I can't even finish 1 bag lol. How small my garden is. With Phx heat I think my brown mulch will helps my plants.

[@skippythealien9627]

@@glow1815 i got some brown mulch too. one thing though that really concerns me is i found a melted freaking battery in the mulch thank goodness i am only using it for pathways. I prefer to use pine straw and regular wheat straw for my vegetables and herbs

[@bettegregory4960]

Red mulch is very popular in Georgia. Get over it. We love it

[@kweli05]

Goes perfect with the red clay :)

[@damonejohnson6098]

I never knew looking foolish was a popular look in Georgia 🤔 well then again maybe just a reminder

[@bstrongnfit]

Love this!

[@baroenglishwithameeramohamed]

thank you

[@Haybcde]

I just placed red mulch for all my rose plants. No regrets.

[@PillageandPlunder7581]

Couple of things. Surprised that there was no mention of wood chips I fine they are great as well as pine needles they both do great for me and my bride. Rubber mulch is perfect for what it was designed for and that’s to protect children on playgrounds and be a way to reuse old tires that were no longer able to be retreads.

[@pamelah6431]

So long as kids aren't getting injured by shrapnel in the rubber. There's a reason they went off doing that.

[@Mr-Chris]

I'm a Rubber mulch guy, I don't like gardening and don't want to have to re-mulch or mess with anything for a long time. I'm a set it and forget it type of person. The least amount of maintenance, the better.

[@damonejohnson6098]

Or just a fool with rubber in his gardens

[@mrpissed]

I love mulch! ❤❤🐶❤❤

[@LaMaiStyle]

I like the look of black mulch in my flower beds. I am replacing the red mulch that came with the house.

[@coachv4712]

I think you are really funny, and the funny thing about it is I don't think you even know how funny you are lol Thank you very much for the video.

[@JRNurse2013]

Here in OK, we have cypress mulch so that’s what I use. I don’t like the dyed mulch either. I’m a Florida native so the pine straw and pine bark nuggets are great too. Be very careful with bailed pine straw as snakes can be in them!

[@juniorcrimebreakers2807]

My house is a very light grey brick, the red mulch looks good on it. I like the way it stands out. All my neighbors have dark colored mulch. To each his own I guess.

[@damonejohnson6098]

Foolish

[@IndraJayaGroup]

I still agree with red dye mulch. It's still from wood and will slowly decomposed. But who the F put *RUBBER* mulch in their garden 🤔

[@Byenia]

I never even heard of rubber mulch before now. So disappointed that that product exists. :P

[@Tinyteacher1111]

I got severely ill from moldy mulch that was 8” deep when I moved to my current house. I never knew about this issue, and dogs can get sick from it as well. My nursery guy told me he hears this all the time. You’re supposed to remove the mulch every year and never let it get that thick. It was gross to look at and had weird mold spores everywhere. I had to find someone who would remove it for me and add more dirt. I’m using pine bark nuggets and was told rubber mulch is wonderful! I’m putting down pine nuggets and rubber mulch on top or in different places. 🙏💕

[@jpcreativeimagery]

@@Tinyteacher1111 do you like carcinogenic compounds in your garden? Do some research on rubber in tires and absolutely avoid in your garden. As far as I'm concerned, that mulching product shouldn't even exist.

[@dana102083]

@@Tinyteacher1111 we were told plastic bags was better for the planet too..anything leeching plastic i to the earth wont be good either. Its important to not replace one issue with another.

[@wolfherzen5423]

I love using corn cob bedding as my mulch. 1 it’s cheap 2 it’s all natural. 3 it looks like small rocks.

[@amiyrahyoung6381]

Never heard of corn cob bedding. Where to buy? Does it attract animals, insects, other unwanted pests?.

[@ebbrown8771]

Hahahahha I love this guy!!

[@damonejohnson6098]

💯🤣

[@williambaker5720]

Why didn't you mention hard wood mulch? In regard to rubber mulch, I completely agree with not using it in the yard or garden. However, it does have its place - I used it to create an approximately 3 foot wide barrier around my house and it works great - it's maintenance free; no weed issues; and most importantly, it stays in place because I have it bordered off with bricks and other non-organic borders; it also helps prevent termites because I don't have wood next to my house.

[@williambaker5720]

I should have clarified the question about hard wood mulch. I use it exclusively because it decomposes well and lasts about 2 years. I don't use any dyed mulch, though, just plain hardwood mulch.

[@homesteadgmad8223]

Great idea for the rubber!! I have a log cabin and am ALWAYS having to stay vigilant because everything wants to eat my house!!

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Pine Straw gives places for snakes to hide.

[@swift4311]

warning whenever you buy pine pinestraw check it by kicking or but a long stick through it make there no snakes it's a cool place for them

[@rottenlostforgotten]

😬 thanks for the heads up

[@AnimusZen]

More free food!

[@officialdiva4898]

Good to know

[@officialdiva4898]

I guess only good for pots

[@frcisk]

Thanks, great tips!

[@krystalynnx]

He kinda has the voice of Papa Franku a little bit. I've decided to get more pine bark mulch since I'm planting azaleas and other acidic soil loving plants since I heard pine is great for keeping the soil acidic.

[@malcolmspraggshoyt3986]

o joyous day

[@jcl5345]

thank you!

[@crpth1]

Well the last two on the list are simply ridiculous. But surprise me a lot more why aesthetics is a first criteria! Instead of soil improvement and weed suppression or even cost/benefit. Why the two, most basic and usually, readily available in most gardens are not even mentioned! Leaves and lawn clippings! :-0 I know most prefer to use the credit card instead of the brain. The "target market" is still people with gardens. Which usually have easy and free access to leaves and lawn clippings. But instead prefer to pay to send them to the landfill and then pay to get something else. On top ending up paying to get extra fertilizers. I´m not saying it´s stupid... But definitely worth 2 minutes of some "brain activity". LOL :-) Cheers

[@markj.ashwin4830]

I am a big fan of lawn clippings!

[@he7is7at7hand]

I want the free stuff. Sometimes I'm able to get bags of mulch really cheap at Home Depot because the bags or tour we're falling apart oh, that's the time when I get the stuff that you have to pay for.

[@jozigirl7114]

I really don't like lawn clippings - it forms a sour crust that even earthworms won't touch. Maybe it works better if you're in a hotter, drier climate?

[@gerryt643]

Is there a problem with a truck up on blocks in your yard?

[@sarabendrick7252]

hahaha

[@officialdiva4898]

Lmfao

[@1Jomarcel]

Great information

[@recordman555]

What about chipped up Bradford Pear wood? I've recently felled one and wondering if it would be any good in a raised garden bed.

[@syliscrow9694]

Depends on which brand of red mulch you use. I put it down and no issues with weeds for years . After you put it in place, you're supposed to wet it down for a few minutes to help it seal

[@randyabernathy5560]

Sylis Crow

[@kevinsolove458]

Your voice was nice and clear when you were talking about the good mulches but when you got to the bad mulches it got real raspy and gritty 😆

[@aliner03]

This man made me a subscriber. The best!

[@oscaremadrigal600]

It comes down to what you want or the customer wants , it sure changes the appearance of your beds compared to not having anything at all and well then you if your trying to improve your soil thats a whole different story , but for looks any mulch but the rubber is ok

[@glow1815]

Thank you for advice. I am new to mulch when I saw this video I thought my plants and garden now has no Hopes. I felt like I just kill my babies. I layered not too much and watered for few mins. It gets very hot here in Phx especially AUG-OCT. The only mulch Home Depot has what I grabbed. I initially want the starw. I think I made a good choice temperature wise. I feel better now lol

[@paul.b1730]

Great video, much appreciated.

[@sarabendrick7252]

Great video!

[@pinkpearlz1347]

Thank you!!

[@putinhynes3848]

How do you get rid of all the bugs in the mulch? I have wood mulch under my peach tree that is in ground.

[@gigtaxservices]

Good video 👍

[@AetherialAdventures]

Thanks mate! Very helpful.

[@oraythelazygardener6913]

I like using various ones for landscaping

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Pine needles and/or bark will acidify the soil, this should be borne in mind. My view is that the best mulch is real compost from one's own compost heap. Mature stable manure is also excellent, but there is a risk of weedkiller contamination, so the source should be checked.

[@freedomfightergrl5615]

And is acid soil bad?

[@CrispyOkra]

I use Pinyon pine needles, they're only about an inch long so I don't put them on as thick. Has been working great so far.

[@-maccabee]

Cypress will attract termites, go for pine straw or ceader if you like your house.

[@anjanean]

What is your opinion on CEDAR MULCH

[@browniz1968]

It's one of the better mulches for deterring termites.

[@bruscifer]

Well I am glad I found this. I am about to set up a raised bed garden not feet away for some huge Pine trees. Good to know LOL! ;)

[@dianeleininger704]

I use single ground mulch and large bark nuggets. They look good and last longer than the other mulches. I am in zone 6

[@0ukouu]

Pine straw is highly flammable. My city bans the use of it as ground cover within 10 feet of multi-family dwellings.

[@Brewing_Up_Bass]

Oh man!! I’m trying to hang out with this guy

[@MsFishingdog]

great video. enjoyed watching. can pine bark be used around fruit trees. thanks

[@sevensons]

I do have a car on a trailer in my back yard, actually my husbands. But I was just telling my husband that we need to mulch. And no way am I putting in red mulch.

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

Now I'm sick. We are currently professionally landscaping our front yard. My husband chose that awful red mulch on all the garden beds. I said, RED? that doesn't even sound appealing and I was right. It's possible it's not ordered yet, maybe I can suggest the mini pine bark nuggets to him. Let's hope.

[@jamesr2622]

You can use rubber mulch for trailways through your gardens or between beds. If you use a lot of it, kids love the way it feels when they bounce through the garden. I'm pretty sure their is some kind of a playground landscaping purpose for rubber mulch.

[@uptown1317]

Always have used pine bark, not mini pine bark though. It is very low maintenance and keeps the soil in place. Smells lovely as well. I might try some mini pine bark this year. Another good thing is you don't have to remove the top layer, like traditional garden mulch.

[@andersonfamilystory]

How often do you replace your pine bark?

[@uptown1317]

@@andersonfamilystory honestly I've never had to replace it. It usually either breaks down into smaller pieces and in mulch. And a lot of it is lost when raking leaves in the fall. So I usually have to add more pine bark every year. It's very low maintenance.

[@daisymartinez9314]

I have had red mulch got from Lowes haven't had weeds. Turns dark brown after. Have had no problem..

[@ceecee8757]

Did it stain your concrete?

[@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832]

Because you have some common sense, unlike so many people on here lol... all the mulch came from the forest at one point in time!

[@rosebud4387]

@@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832 But not from red trees in the forest

[@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832]

@@rosebud4387 I haven't seen any type of mulch at these stores, not dyed!

[@57RickH]

Very helpful info from Bones (“Damnit Jim!”) 😄

[@bettegregory4960]

I use red mulch. No weeds 4yrs now it does fade in color after 1st yr. some upper scale neighborhoods will only allow pine chips or red mulch. Neighbors elect for red only. Oh well

[@olemanwinter1]

I would never live in a place where people were trying to dictate the type of mulch I can use on my property.

[@claymodelexpert]

They do so because they don't really care about the plants since they aren't consuming it and they probably don't know much about gardening AND it's cheaper

[@ceecee8757]

@@olemanwinter1 hell yeah! The HOA demands enough already! They can kiss my grits the day they tell me what color mulch to use!!

[@lauriedimeco3165]

I LV t look of red mulch … but my new plants died from it ..! NO more cedar chips great

[@BertCollins]

Totally agree do not use dyed mulch.

[@samdaman916]

I put two bags of red mulch how detrimental would that be? Should o try to take it out?

[@Haybcde]

Of course he doesn’t answer

[@kevinlizor9517]

HE sounds filthy frank HAHAHAHAHA

[@thanhtantruongvinh99]

omg yes hahaha

[@cindyjo9093]

In hot weather rubber mulch stinks. Sickening.

[@alexbgoodwin]

Thank you now I know what to return.

[@NeedsMoreVelociraptors]

Red mulch works just fine for me.

[@stepmomedia]

Can you use pine bark in a vegetable garden?

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

No mention about using gravel as mulch or about leaf mulch, but then this video was more of a brief intro than a comprehensive survey.

[@YSLRD]

Gravel mulch can be a nightmare long term. It can work into soil or soil can form in the rocks from decayed leaves, etc. Cleaning it out is tough.

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

@@YSLRD Good observation. I use gravel in an area away from trees that needs drainage and I replenish the gravel as needed.

[@francoisgs1]

what will you use for a slope , am afraid with rain it can be washed away :((

[@christycarlson9784]

I LOVE the mini pine bark mulch and how it gradually decomposes in my garden, but each year I find it more and more difficult to find. Alsip Nursery replaced the brand they carried (can't remember the name) with a much larger size cut which seems to be the standard everywhere else around my area (Chicago suburbs). Most nurseries and big name stores don't even carry a true mini pine bark mulch(by that I mean approximately 1 cm in size per chip). Where can I find this tiny treasure?

[@jenatolbert2192]

This seems to a lot more opinionated than factual information.

[@jacosepp7335]

Experience

[@HomeSickAlienJayman]

Have you got rubber tyre mulch on your garden?

[@officialdiva4898]

Lol true

[@jpcreativeimagery]

you can learn from experience or use the trash he said not to use..up to you ;)

[@halodisciple8459]

He's right about the red dyed and rubber mulches. Trailer park landscaping.

[@joanna8508]

Luckily, I'm barely starting on my front lawn garden. I used only one bag of black mulch lol I'll probably look into the mini nuggets. Hopefully my home depot has it.

[@glow1815]

Same her I got the brown frist time using mulch for my backyard and didn't research befor buying it. Home Depot where I live that was the only that had was the dye mulch, it wasn't what I intended to get. I wanted the straw. Nursery might have the good mulches.

[@atlanticacresfarm]

Won’t pine change the ph of the soil?

[@BreakingTool]

Rubber mulch works great for playground areas. Plus its a good use of old tires..... but ya, I wouldn't use it for landscaping

[@agentd36]

I agree, but now they claim the chemicals and metals from recycled tires are dangerous to kids. fml

[@jaxturner7288]

BreakingTool go ahead but I'll try to keep my son out of that crazy toxin filled crap. Do you have a child? How would you feel if I spit on a dead rat laying in the road, and then squished it flat with something made from known carcinogens added some rusty steel wire bits to it and then rub that thing all over your kids face?? Bet your kid joins mine in the sand or grass now, unless you think people don't spit in the street or run over rats daily? It's not like they shredded new tires or can even try to clean them. Just passing the waste problems down too ignorant old us and our innocent children.

[@lookingglass9175]

Jax Turner blah blah blah…………someone musta pissed in your cornflakes today

[@MrStrats]

its toxic...

[@Martykoi]

Wow pine straw?? I got plenty of those

[@JPE_DRAEB]

What about natural cedar?

[@jseal39560]

I have to replace one of my cedar raised beds this year. It lasted 5 years but has deteriorated too much for any more use. Trying to figure out the best way to grind up the remnants of it to make my own mulch.

[@jackimackenzie4251]

Listen some mulch has nutrients the hard wood mulch is good for helping plants not freez in winter without desterbing the acidic in the soil it lasts long dosnt decompose as fast it may wash away but so dose pine bark I recommend hard wood if your going to protect rozes from freezing but pine bark for your acid loving plants but make shure it dosnt touch the trunk and don't bark branches in it unless it is on Perris and has bean decomposing for a couple years

[@nawgee]

Video is horrible! One man's opinion of what "LOOKS" nice in your yard. He doesn't explain the pros/ cons for each mulch.

[@cassandrastillman8796]

Moss grow literally everywhere here so I use that. They’re a pest, but they don’t smother the trees so no one fights it.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

I used red mulch last year. It was red for about a week. Lesson learned.

[@swift4311]

quality was bad

[@alfredopacheco7581]

Hi, What about cedar mulch? Is that something that I could use for my fruit trees? Thx. In advance!

[@sydnybrakke384]

Oh no. We look foolish.

[@uf1978]

Rubber mulch holds it color for over a decade. Dark black mulch is #1 in my book and pine straw just looks bad.

[@watcherowl5387]

I like cedar mulch the best

[@priayief]

I can understand the thumbs down about rubber mulch but I don't know what to think about the 3rd (dyed) mulch that you criticized. Is that just your opinion or is there some science behind your evaluation? I'm kinda cautious about what I view in KZbin as so much is not based on facts. Just for argument, what if the dye was simply some kind of vegetable matter? And do I really care if the wood is made from pallets? Can't pallets be made from natural wood? And if they are, what's the problem with re-using natural wood products as mulch. I know this sounds argumentative but I have to ask the question as my instincts are to question for some kind of factual information. I'm here to learn. All that being said, I appreciate your taking the time and trouble to post this video. Cheers.

[@sodeepopkid6855]

How about termites. Do you think ground wood on soil MIGHT attract termites?

[@priayief]

I guess the problem with termites would depend on where you live. Further thinking about it, my wooden raised beds and chipped wood walkways and even my wooden fence posts might attract termites. I'd say its not really an issue.

[@liarzdice]

I don't understand why the hate for rubber mulch exists. I laid landscape fabric down around non edible trees and then put rubber mulch down. That was about 4 years ago and it still looks great. The warranty is something like 10-15 years.

[@damonejohnson6098]

You're an idiot 😂

[@TrilokThakur]

Hello sir can we use the sawdust of cedar wood, which is a coniferous plant in apple orchards? Please suggest 🤔

[@txshah78]

I have put rubber mulch over two years ago with no regrets. Hardly any weeds, no fungu, does not compact, keeps the dark brown color, my roses, shrubs are not affected and smell or chemical leaching. I will not have to buy mulch for the next ten years or more. Rubber mulch is worth everything dollar. I hated the dyed mulch

[@jacobeksor6088]

Can I use straws for young avocados trees?

[@edgardoamado7008]

I currently have pine straw in my garden for mulch. Am I supposed to change it every year ? Or should I change it for a different type of mulch?....i recently just moved in my new house and the house is around one year old. 😊 thank you

[@southernliving]

It never hurts to change it yearly. Older mulch can be a good habitat for insects, which you might not want near your home. Also, if the mulch decomposes, it'll help weeds sprout.

[@jaycuts5521]

truck up on blocks in the backyard. LOL