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Mulch is one of the most versatile, yet often underappreciated, elements in landscaping. Most people only use it to freshen up their flower beds, not realizing it can offer so much more. Not only does natural mulch enhance the aesthetics of your outdoor space, but it also provides numerous benefits: it suppresses weeds without harsh chemicals, locks in soil moisture to cut down watering needs, and improves soil health over time. The real secret, though, is knowing where else to put it. There are plenty of additional spots around your yard that would benefit from a layer of mulch that you might never have even considered. Read on to discover some surprisingly effective and attractive ways this material can enhance your landscape.
1. Design Welcoming Pathways
Mulch is the perfect way to create eye-catching pathways to meander through your garden or yard. These strategically placed walking paths can add a rustic feel to your yard, while defining where people can step and helping to prevent weed growth. “For example, if you have a pathway made from unique large river stones that all stand on their own, you could use mulch to fill in the gaps around and between those stones, making it so that the stones pop out visually even more,” suggests Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love in San Diego, California.
Mulch can also be used as pathway borders. “If you have a stone or gravel pathway in your yard, you can have your grass grow right up to that boundary, or you could use mulch to create a border,” explains Corcoran. Since mulch comes different colors and appearances, it provides an opportunity to really create an interesting visual appeal. “Mulch that is dark or rich in color often makes landscaping look really healthy and high quality.”
2. Create a More Attractive Area Under Your Deck
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with the extra space below your deck, then mulch may be the answer. “Mulch can prevent weeds under a deck and keep a forgotten place neat and somehow still looking well-kept,” says Daniel Crowley, CEO of Hello Gravel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since this area is shaded and can quickly become an eyesore if weeds and grass grow out of control, it’s beneficial to use mulch to create a natural, organic look that blends beautifully with your nearby garden.
3. Protect Trees
Another standout option is to place mulch around the base of trees, especially young ones. These trees are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures and dry soil, and mulch can help insulate their roots better and retain moisture, which in turn helps with their survival and ability to thrive, says David Joles, chief operating officer at PURCOR Pest Solutions in Tampa, Florida. “Just make sure that when you put mulch around any trees it doesn’t touch the trunk since that can increase the risk of issues like mold growth, pest damage, and excess moisture buildup,” warns Joles. He recommends leaving a few inches of space between the mulch and the trunk of the tree.
4. Highlight Mailboxes and Other Outdoor Features
Just like some people plant gardens around their mailboxes, you can decorate the area with some mulch. “It can serve as a welcoming frame that helps your home feel warm and polished,” notes Crowley. “You just have to simply add a ring of mulch on the base of your mailbox and voila! You now have a welcoming entrance.” You can achieve a similar aesthetic by using mulch around fountains, statues, and seating areas in your yard. Choose a mulch color that contrasts with the feature to make it pop.
5. Safeguard Soil Under Gutter Downspots
Another location that is often overlooked is under downspouts, but Tony Hoang, owner of H&J Landscape in Fremont, California, thinks this is a game changer. “I always recommend mulching directly under gutter downspouts since bare soil there erodes badly every time it rains hard,” says Hoang. He suggests adding a thick 4-inch bed of shredded bark in the area to absorb that force and protect the soil underneath. “Most people patch that erosion spot with grass that never grows right, but mulch solves the problem permanently and looks intentional. It’s a small detail, but a big difference in how a yard holds up over time.”
6. Decorate the Dull Area Around an Air Conditioning Unit or Utility Box
The area around utility boxes and air conditioning units is one of Hoang’s favorite places to use mulch. “Nobody thinks about it, but those spots get weedy fast and look neglected year-round,” he explains. A clean layer of hardwood mulch around the base of these units keeps the weeds down and actually helps with ground moisture near the equipment. “It takes 20 minutes and transforms how the whole side yard feels.” It’s best to keep the mulch 6 to 12 inches away from the units so airflow won’t be restricted.
7. Enhance a Trash and Recycling Bin Storage Area
Setting trash and recycling bins on top of bare soil can lead to erosion and uneven ground that can ultimately cause problems and look unkempt. A simple solution is to lay down some mulch for them to sit on top of. “Mulch can guard your trash bins, keeping them safe from all the uninvited weeds and moisture from the ground,” says Crowley. “Instead of being messy, it’ll create a well-thought-out space for your bins.”
