The  best mulch for any site anywhere is recycled plant material (leaves, twigs, spent plants, buds, bark, flowers and other plant debris) that grew on your property. That's the natural way it is done in the forest and on the prairie. The second best choice is purchased shredded native cedar. Third in line is shredded hardwood bark. Then there is a group in the middle that includes cypress which is not high on my list because it does not break down well. We want the mulch to break down. That's what creates the true natural food for feeding microbes and plant roots. Pine needles make a good mulch but look a little out of place when used on a property where no pines are growing. Lava gravel makes a good mulch and has the extra benefit of keeping squirrels and cats out. Looking more harsh than organic mulches and not breaking down into humus are the negative points. I'm not at all a fan of shredded rubber products, dyed wood or pine bark. It's interesting that the most popular mulch material, pine bark, is not very good. First, it won't stay in place - it washes and blows away. What does stay breaks down into a mucky material that does help plant growth.

Nature doesn't allow bare soil and neither should we. For shrubs, trees and ground covers, use at least 1" of compost and 3" of shredded native tree trimmings or shredded hardwood bark. Mulch vegetable gardens with 8" of partially completed compost or alfalfa hay. Mulch preserves moisture, eliminates weeds and keeps the soil surface cooler which benefits earthworms, microorganisms and plant roots.

Question: Are all cedar mulches created equal?   The main thing I want to do is repel roaches and other bugs from around my foundation. L.M., Dallas

Answer: The fresher the better with cedar mulch. All cedar trees make excellent mulch, but I prefer mulch made from our native cedars. Freshly cut cedar mulch has more oil in the wood, which provides fragrance and repels insects. Repelling insects is a nice side benefit, but the primary purposes of mulch are to protect the soil and help build humus.

The best mulch choice is shredded native tree trimmings from local trees. Shredded hardwood bark is the second best mulch, partially completed compost is next. Pine bark is the worst choice. It breaks down into a mucky material, if it stays in place - a rarity, it usually washes and blows out.


Question: I just had a large tree cut down and the stump ground up. Now I have a big pile of ground wood mulch and sawdust. If I can recycle it, what do I need to do over the winter to make it usable? How long should I wait before I can use it? Also, I want to plant a new tree in the general vicinity of the old one. How long should I wait to plant close to the same spot? How far from the old stump should the new tree be placed? M.G., St. Louis

Answer: The next tree can be planted in the same place, but you'll need to find enough native soil to backfill the planting hole. The backfill soil should match the site's existing soil.

Don't backfill with sawdust. Sawdust can be spread lightly around the site, but the best use would be to put it into the compost pile and mix it with other organic materials. If molasses is added, good compost will result in a few months.