How do you determine what mulch to buy in Niagara Region? Where to buy it? What benefits does one have over the other?
These are all great questions since the packaging can make anything look natural. The truth is most mulch is made from wood waste that has been used in the industrial sector and contains contaminants and potentially residual chemicals. It’s not always the dye that is the cause for concern. These products typically use food grade colouring. The issue is that those coloured mulches are often made of chipped and contaminated shipping pallets.
Having been caring for trees for over 30 years at Arborwood we can assure you that our Arborganix™ Premium Natural Mulch is second to none. It is made from a blend of trees that are pre-mulched on site then brought back to our location to store and begin to breakdown. During this breakdown stage the bacterial and fungal life starts to happen. Since trees and shrubs are in need of a fungal environment to thrive this makes our Arborganix mulch and amazing addition to your gardens. With the bacterial component in our mulch, it also serves well for the soft tissue plant life.
As Alex Shigo once stated, “there is no such thing as green waste.”
Some benefits of our mulch:
- Mycelium to transport nutrients
- Nutrients and beneficial bacterias
- Natural weed suppression
- Moisture retention
- Extreme temperature moderation
- Buffers erosion
Healthy soils should be made up of around 30% organic matter by volume. Native soils — clay and sand, for example — are often lacking in organic material. Compost is a great source of organic material to improve soil health, but so is mulch. Over time, natural mulch material breaks down turns to compost and facilitates this need. It feeds the soil food web which, in turn, feeds your plants. Organic matter also improves soil drainage over time and prevents erosion.
Your trees and plants will love it and remember: you can’t fix the fruits unless you fix the roots!
Arborganix™ Mulch is the only product like it!
Available in:
- Natural – No colour and all-natural brown
- Amber – Cedar like look with a hint of Amber
- Dark Brown – Chocolatey in colour and a rich look
- Black – Traditional Black mulch for that formal look
Our coloured mulch is made with the same Premium Natural Mulch main base and the colours we use are a particular dye that is organic and has the best capacity to keep its colour. As all mulch fades over time, we have chosen to use a soft colouring to help it keep its natural colour.
Mulch: Benefits, Best Practices, and Why It Matters
Mulch is one of the most effective and economical tools in modern arboriculture and landscape management. Applied correctly, mulch significantly improves soil health, supports tree vitality, and enhances the overall resilience of planted landscapes. Whether in urban or rural settings, mulch plays a critical role in mimicking natural forest conditions where organic matter continuously replenishes the soil.
Key Benefits of Mulch
1. Moisture Retention
Mulch acts as a protective barrier over the soil, reducing evaporation and helping retain moisture. This is especially important during hot, dry periods, as it minimizes drought stress and reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
2. Temperature Regulation
A layer of mulch insulates the soil, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This buffering effect protects roots from extreme temperature fluctuations, promoting stable root function and growth.
3. Soil Health Improvement
Organic mulches (such as wood chips or shredded bark) break down over time, adding valuable organic matter to the soil. This improves soil structure, enhances microbial activity, and increases nutrient availability.
4. Weed Suppression
Mulch limits sunlight penetration to the soil surface, significantly reducing weed germination and growth. This decreases competition for water and nutrients, allowing trees and plants to thrive.
5. Erosion Control
By protecting the soil surface from rain impact and runoff, mulch helps prevent erosion and soil compaction. This is particularly important on slopes or newly planted areas.
6. Root Protection
Mulch creates a buffer zone that protects tree roots from mechanical damage caused by lawn equipment such as mowers and trimmers.
Best Practices for Mulch Application
- Depth: Apply mulch at a depth of 2–4 inches (5–10 cm).
- Coverage: Extend mulch to the dripline of the tree where possible.
- Keep away from the trunk: Always maintain a gap (2–3 inches) around the base of the tree to prevent moisture buildup and decay — avoid “mulch volcanoes.”
- Material selection: Use natural, arborist wood chips or shredded bark for optimal results. Fresh wood chips are highly beneficial and commonly recommended.
Mulch is more than just a finishing touch — it is a foundational component of proper tree care and landscape management. When applied correctly, it supports long-term plant health, reduces maintenance requirements, and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient environment. For property owners and land managers alike, mulch is a simple practice that delivers significant, measurable results.