The Best Mulch Options of 2024 for Your Landscaping Beds
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Mulch Options of 2024 for Your Landscaping Beds and hope the blog can help you.
Multipurpose mulch is a must-have for gardeners. Read on to learn which type is right for your landscaping beds.
If you haven’t been using mulch in your garden, you’re seriously missing out on the benefits of this horticultural secret weapon. The best mulch for landscaping beds can help conserve water, keep weeds down, and protect tender plants from unexpectedly chilly temperatures. The right mulch can also turn a drab landscaping bed into an eye-catching garden spot. However, there’s much more to mulch than simply dumping it into the garden. To get the best results, you need to pick a good-quality product and apply it correctly.
Our top choice is the Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch. We love it for its attractive appearance, ability to retain moisture, consistent quality, and natural ingredients. After researching several dozen alternatives, we found a number of other options that suit different locations and needs. Below, you’ll find our recommendations for the best mulch for landscaping beds, along with tips on choosing mulch for your garden.
- BEST OVERALL: Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: VigoroBagged Premium Brown Wood Mulch
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: CleanStraw Long Leaf Bagged Pine Straw
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR VEGETABLE GARDENS: Grower’s Solution Black Plastic Mulch
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR DECORATING: GroundSmart Premium Nugget Black Rubber Mulch
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR CONTAINERS: Rio Hamza’s Natural Pine Bark Mulch
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR GRASS SEED: EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch With Tack
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR FLOWER BEDS: EcoGardener Pro Garden Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Mulch
The best mulch is durable, long lasting, and able to keep weeds and invasive insects away. It also helps to prevent soil erosion. We looked at the wide range of mulch types available and provided our top picks for the most popular types, including straw, wood chips, and rubber, as well as the best landscape fabrics, in order to cover a broad spectrum of intended applications.
Our research found that certain shoppers prefer organic material to help add nutrients to the soil as they slowly break down over time, but we are aware that longevity is also a major consideration for other shoppers, who prefer inorganic options that will stand the test of time. Our list of recommendations spans these two preferences to provide several options for each category. We also considered price, and our articles covering mulch cost and how much mulch you may need both provide invaluable information.
Bob Mann, senior director at the National Association of Landscape Professionals, warns against applying too thick a layer of mulch. “Piling much against the trunks of trees or shrubs leads to fungal rot,” he says. “Keeping mulch from directly contacting the trunks of trees and shrubs and only allowing approximately 3 inches of mulch in total is best.”
He also makes an important point about fire safety: “Organic mulches are flammable, and mulch fires are not uncommon. If the mulch fire is close enough to the siding of a building, the risk of fire extending is greatly increased.” He says that keeping an organic mulch-free area 12 to 18 inches from the building foundation will reduce this risk. “In place of organic mulch against a building foundation, choose an inorganic mulch such as landscape stones or similar.” Synthetic landscape fabric could also be used.
Our Top Picks
Choosing the best landscaping mulch is easier if you consider type, texture, nutrients, and especially intended application. The recommendations―all from reputable companies―should suit various needs.
Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Material: Shredded wood
- Quantity: 1.5 cu. ft
- Coverage area: 6 sq. ft. at a 3-inch depth
What We Like
- Sourced and manufactured regionally
- Retains soil moisture
- Made from all-natural, organic materials
What We Don’t Like
- Often more expensive than inorganic mulches
Miracle-Gro Organic All-Natural Mulch is the top choice for landscape mulching. It is 100 percent organic and offers dual functionality: It beautifies garden beds with its rich, dark appearance and fosters healthier soil. The mulch also retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil erosion.
Gardeners appreciate that it breaks down over time, enriching the soil with organic material without added chemicals. This makes it an excellent choice for both ornamental and edible garden areas. Its consistent quality and natural ingredients ensure that it aligns with sustainable gardening practices, promoting plant health and vigor. Moreover, the mulch is sourced and manufactured regionally, typically within 150 miles of the stores. The 1.5 cu. ft. coverage is efficient for small and large areas, making it a versatile option for any gardening enthusiast looking to enhance their landscape while supporting the ecosystem.
Runner-up
Vigoro Bagged Premium Brown Wood Mulch
Photo: Home Depot
Product Specs
- Material: Shredded wood
- Quantity: 2 cubic feet (cu. ft.)
- Coverage area: 8 sq. ft. at a 3-inch depth
What We Like
- Boosts landscape aesthetic appeal with a rich brown color
- Reduces the need for frequent watering by retaining soil moisture
- Lessens garden maintenance by suppressing weed growth
- Available in red or black colors
What We Don’t Like
- May require refreshment as color fades over time
Vigoro’s Premium brown wood mulch offers a high-quality, visually appealing option for gardeners who want to improve their landscapes’ look while promoting soil health. This mulch maintains its rich, brown color over time, creating a striking contrast that showcases garden plants and pathways. It also helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering, and prevents weed growth, saving users time and effort in garden maintenance.
The mulch’s consistency and texture make it easy to apply and ensure a tidy appearance. Overall, Vigoro’s brown wood mulch is an excellent choice for residential and commercial landscapes, combining functionality with environmental benefits. The mulch is also available in red or black.
Get the Vigoro mulch at The Home Depot.
Best Bang For The Buck
CleanStraw Long Leaf Bagged Pine Straw
Photo: Lowes
Product Specs
- Material: Long leaf pine needles
- Quantity: 1 bale
- Coverage area: 80 sq. ft. at 3- to 4-inch depth
What We Like
- Easier to handle and spread
- Long lasting and high-quality
- Cost-effective
What We Don’t Like
- Potentially unavailable in some parts of the country
CleanStraw bagged pine straw is an excellent budget-friendly option for effective and aesthetically pleasing landscape mulch. Its premium longleaf pine needles add a neat, natural look to garden beds and excel in moisture retention, soil insulation, and erosion prevention. This product decomposes slowly, enriching the soil with organic matter over time, offering an excellent balance of performance and price.
The pine bale covers up to 80 square feet at a depth of 3 to 4 inches, making it the most cost-friendly pick on this list. The one downside is that pine straw mulch may only be available in some areas of the country.
Get the CleanStraw mulch at Lowe’s or Ace Hardware.
Best For Vegetable Gardens
Grower's Solution Black Plastic Mulch
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Material: 1.0 mil black plastic
- Quantity: 110 feet long by 4 feet wide
- Coverage area: 400 sq. ft.
What We Like
- Suppresses weed growth effectively
- Helps accelerate seed germination and early plant growth
- Retains soil moisture, decreasing the frequency of watering
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks sustainability being a single-use plastic
Grower’s Solution black plastic mulch is an excellent choice for vegetable gardeners looking to enhance growth while minimizing maintenance. This 1.0 mil embossed black plastic mulch efficiently warms the soil, accelerating seed germination and early growth by capturing solar heat. Its durability is highlighted in its ability to suppress weeds effectively, reducing the need for chemical herbicides and labor-intensive weeding. Additionally, it helps conserve soil moisture, ensuring that water remains available to the plants even during drier periods.
Using this plastic mulch in vegetable gardens can lead to healthier, more vigorous plants and helps keep produce clean by preventing soil from splashing onto the plants during rainstorms.
Best For Decorating
GroundSmart Premium Nugget Black Rubber Mulch
Photo: Lowes
Product Specs
- Material: Recycled rubber
- Quantity: 0.8 cu. ft.
- Coverage area: 6.4 sq. ft. at 1.5-inch depth
What We Like
- Maintains its rich black color over time without fading
- Offers an eco-friendly landscaping option
- Longest-lasting material does not require frequent reapplication
- Safe for use on playgrounds and around pets and children
What We Don’t Like
- Emits a noticeable odor in hot weather conditions
- Carries a premium price tag
GroundSmart Premium Nugget black rubber mulch is an excellent choice for a durable, eco-friendly mulching solution. This 0.8 cu. ft. bag of rubber nuggets is made from recycled materials, providing a great alternative to traditional wood mulch. Its rich black color remains vibrant in all weather conditions, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of landscapes without fading.
In addition, the rubber material offers superior weed control, effectively retains soil moisture, and is safe for children and pets. The nuggets’ texture is soft and resilient. As we discovered in our rubber vs. wood mulch article, it is best as a top dressing over high-quality soil, making it ideal for playgrounds and landscape beds. For gardeners and landscapers seeking a long-lasting, maintenance-free option, GroundSmart’s rubber mulch is practical and visually appealing.
Get the GroundSmart mulch at Lowe’s, Walmart, or Menards.
Rio Hamza’s Natural Pine Bark Mulch
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Material: Pine bark
- Quantity: 8 quarts
- Coverage area: Not listed
What We Like
- All-natural mulch that contains no fertilizers or pesticides
- Attractive light brown color can be used for decorative appeal
- Serves as a top dressing or soil additive to improve drainage and suppress weeds
What We Don’t Like
- Prone to tumbling; may require frequent topdressing
Rio Hamza’s Natural Pine Bark Mulch is an excellent option for container gardening because it significantly benefits soil health and plant growth. This 100% natural pine bark product is finely processed into small nuggets, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor container use.
Its structure promotes excellent moisture retention, which is crucial for the limited soil volume in pots, ensuring that plants stay hydrated and healthy. Additionally, pine bark mulch helps regulate soil temperature and suppresses weed growth, simplifying container gardening. Moreover, its aesthetic appeal enhances the visual appeal of plant arrangements, making it a dual-purpose choice for functionality and decoration.
Get the Rio Hamza’s mulch at Amazon.
Best For Grass Seed
EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch With Tack
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Material: Wheat straw
- Quantity: 2.5 cu. ft.
- Coverage area: 600 sq. ft.
What We Like
- Forms a protective barrier without hindering seed germination or plant growth
- Binds straw together with a natural, food-based tackifier to prevent dispersal
- Provides excellent coverage, safe for kids and pets, and biodegradable
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks visual appeal and may emit an odor when wet
Straw mulch like this EZ Straw seeding mulch is easy to