Starting a vegetable garden can be a rewarding prospect for any homeowner. In addition to having fresh veggies on the ready, digging in the dirt has big health benefits. Though yanking out weeds might ...

One of the best natural mulches for vegetable gardens is straw. Straw is a by product of grain crops and is made up of the dead stalks and leaves left behind after farmers harvest the grain. It can be ...

In some areas of the country, the choice between mulching with pine needles and wood mulch is a tough one. Since the 1980s, pine straw has been the favorite mulch in the South. It is inexpensive, ...

Whether it's in a fruit patch or a vegetable bed, that golden straw from oats or wheat makes a really good mulch. It helps retain moisture in the soil, reduce disease, and suppress weeds in the garden ...

Wood mulch and wood chips will mat down to make a firm but spongy surface for your garden paths and around playsets. Pine straw is too slippery to walk on, so skip it when mulching these high-traffic ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. When it's time to freshen up the mulch in your garden or flower beds, you might find yourself second-guessing your usual choice.

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.