Mulch is usually replaced every year depending on the quality you select for your landscape. You can tell if your mulch is getting ready for replacement by simply looking to see if it is losing color or is getting thin. Standard mulch depth is roughly two inches. Check with your finger and see if you have lost depth.
So your mulch is ready for replacement?
When selecting mulch there are a few aspects to consider. Color, longevity, and shed quality.
Color: Mulch has a variety of standard colors: red (dyed), black (dyed), brown (dyed), and natural (not dyed).
Shred: When mulch is made from either tree bark, or wood from the interior of a tree it will be run through a shredder to make the final product smaller and more fine depending on how many times it was shredded. Mulch comes in roughly three different levels of shred quality with each consecutive level of shred you will be paying more. The finer your mulch is the better it will control weeds, decompose, and look.
- Single Shred: This mulch is usually hardwood, and will likely be the cheapest option. Chunks will be large and dye will hold for around one season. We generally don’t recommend this option as it will need removed more frequently and does not break down leaving big wood chunks behind.
- Double Shred: This is the best middle of the road option that balances cost, color, breakdown, and longevity. Generally you can get spring, summer, and fall out of this variant. This option is the one we most commonly spread in Medina County. It looks great, it holds up, and it really highlights the surrounding landscape.
- Triple Shred: Triple shred is the most effective mulch in all qualifiers. While this mulch may be more expensive, it very well could save you money in the long run as it is so fine that it will break down to dirt in roughly a year. With triple shred you wont have to worry about removing last years washed out, moldy mulch to make way for this seasons mulch. This mulch will almost definitely last you year round and still be looking great.
Mulch Types:
Hardwood Mulch (Single Shred):
The mulch pictured here is brown hardwood freshly laid. You can see the bigger chunks throughout.
Bark (Double Shred) :
This brown mulch freshly laid. You can see how much finer it looks compared to single.
Bark Mulch (Triple Shred):
This black bark mulch is freshly laid and is extremely fine. It has some tiny pieces similar to double but its has a lot of “fines”.
Red Hardwood:
This is a red hardwood mulch and can look nice in some situations such as around brick. It is much less common than brown/black. If you intend on using this type be ready…everything and I mean everything will need washed when you get done.
Need help choosing the right mulch?
Choosing the right mulch can make a big difference in the appearance, maintenance, and long-term health of your landscape beds. While there is no single “best” mulch for every property, selecting the right type, color, and texture can help complement your home and reduce maintenance throughout the season.
If you’re considering refreshing your landscape beds but aren’t sure which mulch is right for your property, Cleaner Grounds LLC can help. We provide professional mulch installation services throughout Medina and Wayne Counties and can recommend options based on your home’s style, existing landscaping, and maintenance goals.
Whether you’re looking for a clean, natural appearance or a bold contrast that makes your landscaping stand out, we’re happy to help you find the right fit.
Contact Cleaner Grounds LLC today for a free estimate on mulch installation and landscape bed enhancements. Also check out our gallery to see some of this mulch in action!
Very helpful! This is about the only place I could find online that had a comparison and neat description of all shred types in one place.