The Best Mulch for the Yard

For Water Retention

• Mulch's primary benefit is keeping the soil moist, which reduces water waste to save you money and prevent drought stress in your garden. Most types of organic mulch -- particularly bark chips and sawdust -- are effective for water retention, with the exception of peat moss, which is difficult to wet and tends to dry out quickly. If you prefer an inorganic mulch, avoid plastic that prevents water from reaching the soil in the first place.

For Nutrition

• Organic mulches gradually release nutrients into the soil, which your plants can absorb as a food source. Nitrogen is particularly important for lawns and green plants because it supports green growth. Grass clippings are easy to recycle and an excellent source of nitrogen. Other nitrogen-rich mulches include legume hay and coffee grounds. Meanwhile, manure and compost provide a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Avoid sawdust and wood chips unless you mix them with high-nitrogen mulch because their high carbon content can cause nitrogen deficiency in some plants.

For Weed Control

• If weeds are plaguing your yard, you need a thick mulch that will block sunlight from the soil. This prevents weed germination. Black plastic, an inorganic mulch, is most effective at blocking sunlight for weed control, and because it's slow to decompose, you only need to replace it about every two years. The main drawback is that it can overheat the soil if temperatures soar in summer. Another inorganic choice is two to four layers of newspapers, with another mulch on top to hold the papers in place. If you prefer organic mulch, a 2-inch layer of grass clippings, sawdust, leaves or bark chips is effective.

Winter Mulches

• Mulching in winter can protect plants from damage should temperatures plummet below freezing. Mulch accomplishes this by regulating the soil temperature. Examples of mulches that provide winter protection include straw, chopped hay, leaves and wood shavings. Pine needles are also a smart choice for mulching around strawberries, because both pine needles and strawberry soil are slightly acidic. And in a vegetable garden, hay is particularly effective at insulating bulbs.