What Kind of Mulch Should be Used for Flower Beds?

Mulch provides ground cover and nutrients for both flower gardens and raised beds.

Mulch covers the ground around flowers and other plants to aid in retaining moisture, conserving heat and preventing the growth of weeds. If organic materials are used as mulch, they also aid the garden and flower beds by decomposing and providing nutrients to the soil.

Types

When mulching your flower beds, you may choose from organic or synthetic materials. Common organic mulches include wood chips, yard clippings, fallen leaves and composted materials. Inorganic materials for mulching include recycled bits of plastic, landscape fabrics, gravel and black plastic sheeting.

Considerations

Applying mulch requires more attention to detail than simply dumping the mulch material onto the flower bed. You should allow an 1- to 2-inch opening around the stems of flowering plants to allow water to easily reach the flower's root system. In addition, North Carolina State University recommends heaping the mulch into a 2- to 4-inch thick layer to effectively prevent weeds from growing.

Expert Insight

Harry A. J. Hoitink and Kathy Burkholder of the Ohio State University Extension recommend choosing organic mulches that break down and provide nutrients to the soil. Mulch materials that decompose quickly, such as yard clippings and rotting leaves, provide more nutrients than longer-lasting mulches and are recommended for poor soils.

References

• Ohio State University: Mulches for the Landscape
• Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences: Don't Bag It-Leaf Management Plan
• North Carolina State University: Mulching Trees and Shrubs

Resources

• Ohio State University: Mulching Landscape Plants