Landscape Mulch Types for Birmingham, Alabama

Gravel

• Gravel mulch is a heavy, colorful mulch best suited for permanent landscaping projects since gravel does not weather. In addition to suppressing weeds and maintaining soil moisture, gravel absorbs solar radiation through the day and keeps soil warm at night, making gravel a good mulch for cold-sensitive plants in Alabama.

Pine Bark

• Pine bark is a popular and cheap landscaping mulch that comes in many forms. Whether you require finely shredded mulch or large nuggets, pine bark is a durable mulch that is well suited for many outdoor applications. Pine bark is an attractive dark mulch that is good at retaining soil moisture and preventing weed growth. You should avoid placing pine bark mulch near the foundation of your home, due to the small risk of termites or other pests in the mulch.

Pine Needles

• Pine needles collected from under the numerous pine trees in Alabama are a good mulch for landscaping plants that prefer acidic soil conditions. Pine needles prevent weeds and help maintain acidic soil pH, making it an ideal mulch for plants such as hydrangeas, blueberries, azaleas and hibiscus in Alabama.

Cypress Mulch

• Cypress mulch is an attractive light-brown mulch. Though expensive, cypress mulch is slow to weather and will retain an attractive appearance for many years in Alabama. Cypress mulch retains water well, however, once dried, the mulch will sometimes repel water until it is re-saturated. Water plants with cypress mulch for extended periods of time to ensure that both the mulch and the plant receive enough water.