What Are Your Go-To Mulches for Gardening?

I've been a big fan of EZ straw. It's easy to manage and one bale can last a long time. Just a heads up though, slugs do seem to love it! It's a great value for the amount you get, though. I also find that aged pine bark fines are amazing; they blend right into the soil and improve the structure, which is a total win for my dense clay soil! I usually mix in my neighbors' leaves in the fall for an extra boost.

Dried grass clippings are fantastic for keeping moisture in, especially when the heat kicks in. I mostly throw mine into the compost, but every couple of weeks, I sprinkle a light layer on my garden beds to help with moisture retention and weed control. Super simple and effective!

I use untreated pine bark mulch, and it's been a game changer for me. It's natural and chemical-free, plus you can shovel some compost or soil mix over it each year, so it continues to feed the plants as it breaks down. Just be careful with straw in windier areas since it tends to blow away easily!

If you're looking for something a bit different, I recommend hemp mulch. It's super lightweight and stays in place even during winds. I haven't noticed many slugs bothering my garden with it either. Additionally, I like using compost and even some burnt horse waste for my veggie beds—adds great nutrients! Oh, and wood chips work well for paths too.