Cedar Versus Hardwood Mulch

Cedar mulch is a stringy shredded wood that lasts longer than hardwood mulch.

Cedar versus hardwood mulch.

Cypress mulch averages about 1 49 per 2 cubic foot bag. Because of its staying power hardwood mulch is ideal for sloped beds and gardens in wet climates. Shredded hardwood bark mulch is made from 100 tree bark and not ground up wood. Hardwood mulches are derived from the shredded or chipped bark and heartwood of trees including oak poplar and maple.

Shredded hardwood bark mulch. Hardwood mulch is fibrous and knits together well which inhibits soil erosion and weed germination while retaining moisture. Cedar mulch is available in wood chip form but that type is more expensive than shredded and is much heavier and denser than bark shreds. Conversely hardwood mulch could cost as much as 2 29 per 2 cubic foot bag depending on the type and quality of the leftover bark.

Despite the name hardwood mulches actually decompose faster in the landscape than cedar or pine bark mulch owing to a higher cellulose content. Cedar contains natural oils that smell wonderful but also deter some pests and insects. Therefore it contains a great deal more nutrition for your plants and as it decomposes it greatly improves the soil in your gardens. It naturally repels insects and has natural fungus resistance.

Nitrogen depletion is another problem with cedar wood mulch as well as most other organic types of mulch. This means it won t need to be replenished as frequently. Unlike many other types of organic mulch cedar mulch resists decay so it takes a lot longer to decompose than hardwood or leaf mulches. As the wood shreds and chips break down into the soil they use up the nitrogen in the soil.

Mulching your garden helps protect your plants improves water retention cuts down on weeds and can strengthen soil integrity all while giving garden beds an. Earthgro hardwood mulch also at the home depot in selected stores 2 59 per bag 2 cu. It is long lasting like cedar. Hardwood mulch is often made of oak but.

Twice ground cedar mulch is finely ground and will compost faster. Triple shredded mulch costs more than double shredded mulch. Cedar has a beautiful golden brown color that looks attractive around plants.