A protective layer of mulch around your lawn comes with a set of benefits. Mulch aids in moisture retention, keeping the soil cool, preventing weed growth, all combined with bringing an aesthetic appeal to the landscape. There is a wide variety of mulch to choose from each with varying pros and cons. Now you might be wondering what is the best type of Mulch to use for your lawn and that is exactly what we will guide you through in today’s read.

Types of common mulch

The right choice of mulch for you should be visually attractive while being effective and functional for proper lawn management. The types of mulches common in SC include:

Pine Straw

Pros:

• Pine straw, also known as pine needle mulch is ideal for mulching around plants such as camellias, azaleas etc. that thrive in acidic soil.
• Pine needles become naturally acidic during the breakdown process.
• The rate at which they break is comparatively slower than organic mulches.
• If your lawn experiences heavy rainfall, using pine needles around slopes would be ideal as they can withstand heavy rain and even freezing winter temperatures.
• Its sturdy nature makes it a low maintenance option with minimum reapplication of the mulch beds.
• It is easily renewable and is better for the planet compared to wood mulches.
• The neutral reddish-brown color of the pine straw mulch serves as a good color contrast against the green lawn giving your property a warm and welcoming look.

Cons:

• Provides no organic matter providing no nutritional benefits to plants
• The price tag is heftier compared to most of the other mulch types
• May attract unwanted lawn pests
• Straw sizes vary so they may require some practice to spread in an aesthetically pleasing way or else it might make the landscape look cheap.
• Has to be kept away from flames

Shredded Cypress

Pros:

• Cypress mulch is organic in nature providing nutrients to the soil while decomposing.
• Less expensive compared to other organic mulches
• Excellent at preventing weed growth
• Retains moisture and slows down its evaporation
• Has a pleasing scent to it
• Lasts for a long time and immune to insects and fungus

Cons:

• Might wash away in areas that experience heavy rainfall
• Can be damaging to plants that prefer acidic soil for their growth
• Adds to the decline of cypress forests affecting our planet’s ecosystem

Stones

Pros:

• Extremely low maintenance as you do not need to replace them
• They last a very long time saving you cash
• Stones are great for suppressing the growth of weed
• Having a stone mulch might as well withstand the apocalypse remaining effective through burning or freezing temperatures
• Their muted grey color in combination with the greenery of your yard will bring an elegant and polished look to your landscape

Cons:

• Stones retain heat and may rise soil temperature affecting the nearby plants
• Does not contain any organic matter providing no additional benefits to the soil and plants
• On the pH scale they lean towards the alkaline side which may be harmful for plants
• Difficult to remove manually if required

Bark Mulch

Pros:

• Helps soil retain moisture aiding to plant hydration and growth
• The organic matter decomposes with time and improves the soil
• Creates a sturdy layer and is therefore more resistant to weather damage
• Keep weeds at bay
• Encourages the arrival of earthworms as they are needed to provide vital plant nutrients
• Gives a very clean and exquisite look to your property

Cons:

• Could induce fungus growth
• Can attract pests and increase any pre-existing termite problems
• Fire hazard to property
• Layers may become compact and rigid blocking off the proper passage of water
• May cause certain tree and shrub diseases

At Quiet Lawn, we offer our customers mulching services using white stones or shredded cypress in black, brown and red. We can make things even easier for you to get your property in tip-top shape before you put it on the market! Click here to read more information.

Interested? Call us at 843-779-8873 or simply leave a comment below! We provide FREE estimates!We are locals, taking care of lawns in Little River, Longs and North Myrtle Beach area is second nature to us. Additionally, our team employs necessary sanitation and safety measures while carrying out services during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide a risk free and safe experience.