Mulch is a blanket, an organic material applied to bare soil around plants. Effective mulches include shredded hardwood bark, pine needles, coarse compost, and shredded native tree trimmings. Mulching ...

Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Composted hardwood bark is an excellent mulch choice for the Northeast, while pine straw and pine fines are ...