Every Fall and Spring I take my truck and buy a cubic yard of fine-shredded hardwood mulch (about $35) from a landscape supply business. I put 2"- 3" around every tree, shrub and cover every ...

As with hardwood bark mulch, it’s best to find a source that is composted — and if formal composting isn’t an option, an old pile that’s been sitting around a while is still better than fresh.

In the meantime, I like bark mulch for flower beds and beds around the house. Bark doesn't grow fungus as well as hardwood (entire branches ground up). It also "breathes" better.

As with hardwood bark mulch, it’s best to find a source that is composted — and if formal composting isn’t an option, an old pile that’s been sitting around a while is still better than fresh.

As with hardwood bark mulch, it’s best to find a source that is composted — and if formal composting isn’t an option, an old pile that’s been sitting around a while is still better than fresh.