Wood Chips
Although wood chips are readily available from tree removal companies, they come with a caveat. When used around plants, fresh wood chips draw nitrogen from the soil as they decompose. This nitrogen depletion can cause plant leaves to yellow and weaken overall growth, meaning extra fertilizer is necessary to keep plants healthy.

A smart way to utilize fresh wood chips is for creating natural paths in wooded areas. They provide a soft surface for walking and, as they break down, they return organic matter to the soil, enriching the woodland floor.

However, fresh wood chips are not ideal for play areas. They may contain undesirable elements like poison ivy, which can cause skin irritation. For these spaces, it’s better to opt for Certified Playground Wood Chips, which are processed to be safe and free from harmful debris.

Stone Mulch
Stone mulch, on the other hand, is nearly permanent. Available in a variety of colors—from gray and tan to red and multicolored—and in sizes ranging from 1/8-inch to several inches, it can be chosen to match your personal taste and landscape design. Although some choose to install a weed barrier beneath stone mulch, this only offers temporary relief; debris buildup eventually allows weeds to sprout.

Let Showcase Landscape Services professionals help you with your mulching.
(Additional mulch options include bark mulch, dyed mulch and bark mulch nuggets.)

Mulch Application Best Practices
• Apply two to three inches of mulch in landscape beds. Too much can harm plants.
• If mulching annually, break up old mulch to prevent a hard crust from forming. This helps water and nutrients reach plant roots.
• Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks and shrubs, which can smother plants and weaken growth.
• Skip weed barriers under mulch. They don’t prevent weeds long-term and can cause mulch to slide out of place.
• Maintain a clean edge between mulch beds and your lawn to keep mulch contained and improve aesthetics.
• Choose mulch that complements your garden, not one that overpowers it. The focus should be on plant health, gradually reducing mulch use over time.

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