Mulch is a good friend to gardens. It helps soil hold moisture, keeps plant roots cool on hot days, and discourages weeds from sprouting. Many types of mulch add beneficial substances to the earth as ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Want to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and enrich your soil over time? The first step is choosing the best type of mulch for your garden.

The smell of spring is in the air in Greater Columbus — not the smell of hyacinths or daffodils, but the smell of freshly applied hardwood mulch around trees and shrubs and other perennial plants.

Fallen leaves make a fine mulch for garden beds and trees and shrubs, but they aren’t the only possibility. “Any kind of organic matter can make a good mulch,” said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge ...