There are many different colors of mulches such as red, brown and black. Mulch color can be the natural color of the shredded material or it can contain dyes. Mulch can be composed of different materials: brush, trees, recycled shipping crates, furniture, tires and other recycled material. Choosing the correct mulch is important.

Examine the product before you buy. Since mulch can contain recycled materials, it can also contain the materials used in the construction of the recycled product. Examples of this are nails, wire, and glass. Be aware that mulches can also contain termites. I have a friend who purchased bagged mulch to put in her planters so she could improve the appearance of her house before she sold it. It turns out that the mulch purchased from a reputable home improvement retailer contained termites. She ended up having to treat for termites before the sale.

Mulches can fade out over time. Dyes fade, and the natural wood color does not look as appealing as they once were. It is recommended to change out mulches after they become faded and repel water. One purpose of mulch is to absorb water, not repel it. Be sure to remove old mulch before adding new. It will cost more, but mulch is serves a purpose of protecting your plants from harsh weather changes.

Mulch should be applied to a thickness of at least 4 inches. It should not touch the plants bark or trunk. Mulch will help aid your plants root system and prevent freezing in the winter and keep the surrounding area moist in the summer.

Inorganic mulches are not recommended, they only serve aesthetic purposes. They repel water, and absorb sunlight and heat, which can cause unwanted stress to your plants. This also applies to rocks and other aesthetic ground covers.