After the initial considerations discussed on Page 1, it's time to compare the various types of landscaping mulch. I'll begin with pine straw mulch. Pine straw mulch is sold in bales. The needles are harvested from plantations -- a huge industry! Most pine straw mulch comes from the southern U.S., where its use is also common in landscaping.
Pine Straw Mulch
- Appearance: Pine straw mulch provides the reddish-brown color (although less vivid) that redwood bark mulch offers.
- Insulating value in summer: Good
- Insulating value in winter: Good
- Need to remove in spring: Yes
- Nourishment and aeration afforded to underlying soil by decomposition: Fair
- Lets water and oxygen move freely into the soil: Excellent
- Ease of application and maintenance: Good
Wood Chips, Sawdust and Bark Mulches
- Appearance: Good
- Insulating value in summer: Good
- Insulating value in winter: Good
- Need to remove in spring: Yes
- Nourishment and aeration afforded to underlying soil by decomposition: Fair
- Lets water and oxygen move freely into soil: Good
- Ease of application and maintenance: Good
Black Plastic Mulch
- Appearance: Poor, unless you are striving for that "hi-tech" look.
- Insulating value in summer: A mixed bag here. Black plastic mulch keeps the moisture already in the soil from escaping, but also heats up the ground considerably.
- Insulating value in winter: Fair
- Need to remove in spring: No
- Nourishment and aeration afforded to underlying soil by decomposition: None
- Lets water and oxygen move freely into soil: No
- Ease of application and maintenance: Excellent
On Page 3 we'll look at further options for landscaping mulch....
