Mulch is where it is at …

Whitney Laritson | February 14, 2026

It’s sold in bags at the gas station or grocery store. It’s sold at box stores. It’s sold in bulk at lumber yards and landscape companies. There are all different kinds of mulches available. Bark chunks, shredded hardwood, double shredded, chipped and dyed mulches are available in different colors, and let’s not forget arborists chips that are available for free in many areas.

Why mulch?

Plants benefit greatly from a layer of mulch over the roots of new and existing plants. Arborist wood chips are preferred because not only does it help retain moisture, but it actually absorbs moisture and helps to prevent runoff and the water ends soaking into the soil.

Mulch applied to the soil surface helps to moderate the temperature keeping it cooler during the hottest times of the season and of course holding the heat a bit when the temperatures dip. Mulch applications are excellent for new plantings in the fall as it will encourage new roots to develop later in the season in colder regions.

Let’s not forget that applying mulch to the soil surface around your plants will prevent weed from germinating. Less chemical use and less physical weeding it not only better for the plants but saves you time and money. As soon as you have your plants installed and you have bare soil, if you cover that bare soil with about 4-6 inches thick you won’t see any weeds. Remember that you should never pile any mulch up against the trunks of trees or stems of the plants.

Remember that mulch put around your ornamentals will keep your plant cleaner from the mud from splashing up on the plants preventing soil borne fungus like black spot, mildew and rust on plants that are susceptible. That alone is an incredible reason alone to make sure you get your mulch around your plants.

Applying mulch over the soil around your landscape plants really adds the finishing touch. It ties the whole landscape together. It really completes the look that we all love.

There are other options available when it comes to mulching plant materials. Many times in commercial landscapes smaller rock or stones are used in various colors. Most of the stone mulches are applied with a landscape fabric or plastic beneath and some type of edging to keep the stone confined to the beds. Stone is not always the best for plants as the stone heats up and hold heat in colder climates and may mess up the plants going dormant in winter or heating up causing them to start growing. Some commercial landscapes use a mix of stones or gravel in some areas and chipped or shredded wood mulch closest to the plants for an interesting mix.

Some mulches being sold are actually chipped up rubber tires that may be dyed various colors. This mulch will not decompose but they may be extremely flammable so be careful using a rubber product.

There are wood mulches that are options. Bark chunks do not absorb the water and can easily move from the area that you want to keep them. Chipped and dyed mulches are many times used for those that want a red, brown, yellow or other colors showing up in landscapes too. Many landscape companies use shredded hardwood mulches.

The interesting thing is the arborists wood chips that chips needles, leaves, stems, twigs, branches and whatever else that gets chipped up is one of the best mulches you can use – and best of all it most communities it is free! There is even a website you can check out to see if they do free arborist wood chip drop right to your door locally. Check out here: https://getchipdrop.com/

Help to keep your landscape plants weed free with fewer chemicals, stress free with better moisture retention, and reduce the runoff from your property.

Happy mulching!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does mulch help protect young trees and plants from summer heat stress?

Mulch acts as an insulating layer over the root zone, moderating soil temperature and keeping it cooler during the hottest periods of the growing season. A 4 to 6 inch layer of arborist wood chips is particularly effective because it not only retains moisture but actually absorbs it, reducing runoff and keeping water available to stressed roots during heat events. Apply mulch immediately after planting, keeping it pulled back from the trunk or stem to prevent rot, and replenish it as it breaks down throughout the season.

How does the color of mulch affect soil temperature and plant health?

Different mulch colors can affect how much heat is absorbed and retained around your plant roots, but the primary benefit comes from having any mulch layer of 4 to 6 inches applied consistently. Darker mulches tend to absorb more heat, while lighter-colored mulches reflect more sunlight and keep soil cooler during peak summer temperatures. Stone mulches, regardless of color, are particularly problematic in colder climates because they hold heat and can interfere with plants going dormant or trigger premature growth. For the best results in most planting zones, choose organic mulches like arborist wood chips or shredded hardwood and apply them to a depth of 4 to 6 inches, keeping the mulch pulled back a few inches from plant stems and tree trunks.

Can mulch help control slugs and other common garden pests?

Mulch is excellent for plant health but can provide hiding spots for slugs and other moisture-loving pests, particularly in humid climates or wetter seasons. Keeping mulch at the recommended 4 to 6 inch depth and pulling it back slightly from plant stems and tree trunks will reduce pest harborage areas while still delivering the moisture retention and temperature regulation benefits your plants need. If slugs are a persistent problem, consider using coarser arborist wood chips rather than fine shredded mulch, as the chunkier texture is less inviting to soft-bodied pests. Monitor the area beneath your mulch periodically and treat with an iron phosphate bait if slug populations become problematic.

How do I choose the right type of mulch for vegetables, flower beds, shrubs, or trees?

Arborist wood chips are the top choice for most plants including trees, shrubs, and flower beds because they absorb moisture, regulate soil temperature, and break down to improve soil health over time. For vegetable gardens, a lighter organic mulch like straw or shredded leaves works well since beds are turned seasonally. Apply any mulch in a 4 to 6 inch layer over bare soil, keeping it pulled back from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot and disease. Visit your local arborist or landscape supplier to source the right mulch for your planting type and get it down immediately after planting for the best results.

How often should I refresh or replace mulch to keep it working effectively?

Organic mulches like shredded hardwood or arborist chips break down over time and typically need to be refreshed once a year, usually in spring before the growing season heats up or in fall to protect roots heading into winter. Check your mulch depth annually and top it off as needed to maintain a consistent 4 to 6 inch layer over the root zone. Avoid piling fresh mulch directly against tree trunks or plant stems, as this can trap moisture and invite disease. A quick walk through your beds each spring with a bag or bulk order of mulch is all it takes to keep your plants protected and your landscape looking sharp.

Should I put mulch directly against plant stems or tree trunks?

No, you should never pile mulch directly against the trunks of trees or the stems of shrubs and plants. This traps moisture against the bark, which invites rot, disease, and pest problems that can seriously damage or kill your plants. Apply mulch in a layer 4 to 6 inches deep across the soil surface, but keep it pulled back a few inches from the base of any trunk or stem to allow for proper air circulation.

How do I get the best weed control from mulch?

For the best weed control, apply a 4 to 6 inch layer of mulch over bare soil immediately after planting. Arborist wood chips are an excellent choice because they absorb moisture and break down to improve soil health over time. Keep mulch pulled back from the base of plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot and disease issues. Cover every bit of exposed soil in your beds as soon as possible, and replenish the mulch layer each season as it decomposes to maintain that weed-suppressing depth.

Is organic or inorganic mulch the better choice for my garden?

Organic mulches like arborist wood chips or shredded hardwood are generally the better choice for most home gardens because they retain and absorb moisture, moderate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and break down over time to improve soil health. Inorganic options like stone or gravel can overheat in cold climates, potentially disrupting a plant's natural dormancy cycle, and do little to enrich the soil. Apply organic mulch in a 4 to 6 inch layer around your plants, keeping it pulled back from trunks and stems, to get the full benefits of weed suppression, moisture retention, and disease prevention.

How much can mulch reduce my watering needs throughout the growing season?

Mulch acts as a moisture-regulating buffer between your soil and the drying effects of sun and wind, with a 4 to 6 inch layer of arborist wood chips being especially effective because it actually absorbs water rather than just slowing evaporation, reducing watering frequency significantly during peak summer heat. In hotter climates and during drought periods, a proper mulch layer can cut your supplemental watering needs by 25 to 50 percent by keeping soil temperatures cooler and locking in moisture after each watering or rainfall. Apply your mulch immediately after planting and keep it refreshed throughout the growing season, just be sure to keep it pulled back from the trunk or stem base to prevent rot and disease.

Can mulch improve soil health over time as well as protect plants?

Yes, mulch, especially arborist wood chips, breaks down over time and adds organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and fertility. A 4 to 6 inch layer of wood chip mulch actively absorbs moisture rather than simply slowing evaporation, which reduces runoff and encourages deeper water penetration to plant roots. As the mulch decomposes, it feeds beneficial soil microbes that further improve soil health and nutrient availability. Top off your mulch layer each season to maintain that 4 to 6 inch depth and keep your soil continuously improving.