Use and Application of Mulch MULCH: * helps suppress weeds and makes them easier to remove * protects soil from compaction and erosion due to rain * protects sensitive plants against cold damage * Add mulch to beds if needed. More than 2" total depth of mulch is not recommended ----- * Compost is a mulch containing significant amounts of decomposed organic matter * Compost, leaves, and moss, are effective soil builders * Leaves provide good cover for bare-dirt beds and slopes * Leaves left in beds can be raked up if they become unacceptably unsightly after at least some of the mass breaks down; or, till them back into the bed in the spring, or add more mulch later over the leaves. * Keep mulch some inches away from trunks of shrubs and trees. ---------- * For garden area's and closely planted beds, Compost is a good mulch to improve soil quality and provide organic nutrients. * Municipal compost should be a good product. (It may be initially odorous and mucky during fall and winter months) * Compost mixes of variable quality are usually available at landscape materials outlets. Check for excessive sand and sawdust in mix. In Seattle, the cedar grove compost / topsoil mix is reliably good, (nowadays). Sav-a-tree in denver has some good products, in bulk. In bags, i have found ace hardware and Krameria nursery in Denver to carry some good products. Check labels to ascertain relative quality of different brands. ---------- * For open bed area's, play area's, trails; * Arbor chips work well - they can be applied more thickly than other mulches, but is more time consuming to apply, and variable in quality. * play chips can also be used as mulch but it will have a different appearance and color you may not prefer. * Coarse bark mulch will last longer than finer bark but provide less coverage per sq.ft. and is more time consuming to apply. * Dyed wood chip mulch if used should be certified not to contain shredded pallets before using it. It also may stain clothing, pets, people, etc.

Respectfully, Don