Having a garden, no matter how small it is, requires work and dedication. For the people who like it, the results and the pride of having a beautiful garden, both for their own pleasure as well as for showing it to visitors, are worth the trouble and cost that they involve.

There are several things a small or professional garden can get to make the job easier, but one of the most important materials to have is garden mulch.

Garden mulch comes in very different types and made out of very different materials. Most garden mulch comes from organic materials, although some non organic materials are also convenient for certain types of gardens. For example, rubber mulch is common in playground areas.

Nevertheless, garden mulch tends to be organic both for the qualities it has as well as by the natural look it gives.

Garden mulch has three main practical benefits. The first one is acting as an insulator in order to keep at a minimum the stress the plants suffer from going from one extreme temperature and back. It does this by blocking the sunlight and heat that would otherwise reach the soil. At night, it does the opposite, it radiates the heat that it received during the day to the soil, preventing it from becoming too cold.

Garden mulch is also a good way to retain soil moisture. It provides a physical barrier that prevents moisture that evaporates from escaping. This reduces the need for irrigation as well as makes irrigation more effective and lasting.

Finally, garden mulch prevents the growth of weeds. It blocks the sunlight that weeds need to grow and it also provides a physical barrier that occupies the space that weeds need.

All types of organic mulch will perform these three effectively. So, it really comes down to your personal preference if you want to buy a more specific garden mulch.

For example, cocoa mulch looks and smells great (it actually smells like chocolate), and has a great earth like look. On the other hand, it is expensive and it’s not recommended if you have a dog, because it’s poisonous to it (just like chocolate is). It also breaks down faster than other types of garden mulch. This means that it will become soil nutrients faster but also that it will have to be replaced more often.

On the other hand, garden mulch made out of bark is much slower to break down. This has the opposite effect. That is, it requires less frequent replacing but it doesn’t give nutrients to the soil as fast as other types of mulch. Some types of bark mulch will repel insects, due to their oils.

So, as you can see, garden mulch depends a lot on your needs and likes. Consult with a professional gardener before selecting one for you.