Besides choosing plants and flowers, trees and shrubs and designing garden beds or adding lawn, there are many more things to consider when it comes to gardening. For example, what materials you are going to use. There are many types of materials for landscaping, and though mulch isn’t the most popular one for now, it has a whole bunch of advantages that might convince you to use it.
What Are Pros Of Mulch?
Mulch is good for moisture retention, and that’s what makes it perfect for water-wise gardens and xeriscaping. It will keep the soil underneath cool and damp, giving your plants a cozy, hydrated haven even on a hot day.
Mulch acts like a weed barrier, so your garden stays neat without constant weeding wars.
As mulch breaks down, it’s like a slow-release fertilizer, feeding your soil and making it healthier over time.
Black mulch adds a striking contrast that makes the greens and bright blooms of your garden pop.
The use of black mulch is acquitted: the super bright fuchsia blooms stand out in this flower bed a lot.
Styling a front yard with a large garden bed is a nice idea but cover it with mulch to reduce the maintenance.
The front yard shows off a combo of textures: lawn, pebbles and black mulch. Greenery and trees stand out in black a lot.
This mail box is styled with a garden bed with some plants that pop in the backdrop of black mulch.
Placing pavers in black mulch will make the path look more eye-catching and bold.
White gravel, black mulch and lawn create a sleek and contrasting minimalist combo.
Style the facade of the house with a long garden bed with grasses and blooms.
The long garden bed is styled with a tree and some shrubs and the transition to lawn looks quite natural.
The irregularly shaped garden bed shows off bright flowers and a tree, and it's a lovely feature for any garden.
Black mulch along the terrace shows off rocks, greenery and bright flowers.
What Are Cons of Mulch?
For black mulch, it’s the potential for overheating. It’s like wearing a black shirt on a hot day—things can heat up more than you’d like.
The sleek, dark look of fresh black mulch is unbeatable, but the sun can make it fade.
Dyed mulches might not be what you want decomposing into your soil, especially in veggie gardens.
This quirky garden bed includes black mulch, rocks and pebbles, greenery and a tree and it's a perfect match for the facade.
A white picket fence looks much bolder if you place black mulch along it and plant something green.
The front yard pairs lawn and black mulch, there are white pebbles, topiaries, blooms and a mail box.
This front yard is covered with black mulch and styled with elegant topiaries, but rough stone pavers add a natural feel to it.
The garden bed is small yet bold thanks to the choice of mulch and plants here.
Go for black mulch in the front yard: it will be easier to maintain and not only the plants but also the facade of your house will stand out.
The laconic front yard shows off some bright plants that look adorable in the black mulch backdrop.
Style your fence with a long garden bed covered with black mulch and showing off trees and greenery to advantage. Pebbles will create a more natural transition to the lawn.
This large dry river bed shows off black mulch, stones and pebbles and a bit of trees and flowers.
A dry river bed feature can be also surrounded with black mulch to make it stand out a lot.
What Types Of Black Mulch Exist?
There are three main types of mulch: rubber, organic and wooden. Rubber mulch is great for playground but bad for plants and can get hot. Organic mulch is good for environment, it feeds soil but needs replacing. Wooden mulch is affordable but its colors can easily fade.
How To Apply Black Mulch Effectively?
A layer about 2-3 inches thick is perfect. Too much, and you’re suffocating your plants. Also, keep it away from the base of your plants.
Where To Place Black Mulch?
Black mulch in your garden beds is a nice backdrop to make your flowers and shrubs stand out. In a contemporary garden, black mulch can create a nice contrast with lawn or white gravel. Besides, it will reduce weed growing, so your garden beds will be clean. Place black mulch along the paths to make them pop, line them up with lights and plants, and you’ll feel like walking on the red carpet. Place pavers dipping them into the mulch to make a bold statement. Wrapping black mulch around the base of your trees is creating a bold accent.
The garden is done with black mulch, and pavers stand out a lot in it. Bold plants and trees also look much cooler in such an ambience.
The curved flower bed goes along the facade showing off various types of greenery.
The garden bed is small yet bold thanks to the black mulch and bright shrubs.
This sleek curved garden bed with black mulch and greenery is a nice pair for the manicured lawn.
This curved garden bed shows off both black mulch and edging and various plants stand out in such a place.
The front yard shows off a large garden bed with black mulch that makes greenery stand out. The window box echoes with it.
Just look how nice black mulch works with contrasting pebbles and gravel creating an ultra-modern landscape to style the fence.
This front yard garden bed shows off a trendy curved shape, black mulch and stone edging. The plants stand out a lot in this backdrop.
Edge a black mulch garden bed with light-colored pebbles, rocks or stones to create a bolder contrast.
Black mulch will keep your front yard clean, elegant and styling both preventing it from weeds and showing off the plants.
How To Maintain Black Mulch?
A good soaking now and then, especially during dry spells, can keep it from drying out and losing its color. The sun will make your black mulch fade, so consider giving it a little stir or fluff to bring the deeper, darker layers to the surface. Over time, mulch can get compacted, reducing its effectiveness, so from time to time, grab a rake and give it a gentle fluff. This not only keeps it looking good but also helps maintain its protective functions.
After a season or two, you might want to refresh the mulch. First remove any bold layers and check the soil underneath. If not, then just place fresh mulch keeping the thickness of about 2-3 inches.
The pavers are placed in the mulch, and greenery around it adds a fresh touch. (via bloominganomaly).
Terrazzo pavers and black mulch create a modern look in the space. (via blissfullysinglebean).
Pairing mulch with pebbles and stones will give more texture to the space. (via farmfoodfamily).
The large lawn space is paired with a long garden bed showing off trees, shrubs and even rocks. (via decorhomeideas).
This sleek and refined garden bed shows off greenery and a tree that pop up in the black backdrop. (via archfoundation).
Make a create tiered garden bed: a raised one and then the space around it. As for plants, any of them will stand out here.
The small front yard garden bed is covered with black mulch for less maintaining.
The front yard is done with lawn and a garden bed covered with mulch to give a more modern feel to the space.
Black mulch and greenery make this side yard contemporary and very sleek.
The narrow side yard shows off black mulch, black pavers and greenery to refresh the look.
The curved garden path is designed with black mulch, pavers, neutral pebbles and it looks cool.
Mulch here is paired with pebbles to create a more natural look.
Pebbles and black mulch are a fantastic combo for a front yard, even if there aren't many plants, the look will be eye-catching.