Mulch vs. Wood Chips

The Difference

• Really, wood chips are a type of mulch. They fall into the category of organic mulches, which eventually break down and go back into the soil. Wood chips are organic but take longer to break down than other types of organic mulch. Synthetic mulches also exist. These are made from various colored plastics and are very useful but need to be carefully cleaned up if you want to use the site for something else.

Benefits of Wood Chips

• Wood chip mulches offer a lot to the gardener, in both an aesthetic and practical fashion. People who want their gardens to look nice enjoy the visual appeal of a wood chip mulch compared to other options that are used, such as shredded newspaper or straw. From a practical plant-growing perspective, wood chip mulch is useful because it doesn't become compacted the way sawdust and other materials do. The material is also extremely variable, meaning that it breaks down organically and releases water in a nonuniform way. This benefits plants and trees growing in the mulch.

Downsides of Wood Chips

• Wood chips are not without their downsides as a mulch option. They are not suitable for mulching around young or very fragile plants. Unless you are very careful applying the mulch, it can damage these delicate young plants when you lay it down. Wood chips are not suitable for hills as they don't tend to stick to the surface well enough.

When to Use Other Products

• Overall, wood chips are a very good mulch, but there are certain situations in which other products are more appropriate. For instance, do not use wood chips near your home. The wood may attract termites that could possibly start attacking your house. In fact, many organic mulches attract insects of some type, so near the home, a synthetic is a good option.