The 8 Best Mulches of 2023

Best Overall

Vigoro Premium Wood Mulch

View On Home Depot

One bag of the Viogoro Premium Wood Mulch contains two cubic feet of mulch, which should cover 8 square feet, three inches deep. This means that a small investment can really go a long way in large areas that need to be covered with mulch. Made of wood, this shredded mulch comes in three colors, black, brown, or red, with some colors looking more natural than others. But thanks to the brand's "12-month color guarantee," Vigoro says the color shouldn't fade in that length of time.

However, like all wood mulch, it does break down over time, and like all colorized mulch, it will fade over time. To maintain the most vibrant looks, you should plan to replace it at least once per year, or more depending on your needs and preferences. Keeping water off of the mulch for at least 24 hours after application can help with color retention. However, we think this mulch provides an affordable way to upgrade your flower beds and other outdoor landscapes, earning our top spot on this list.

Price at time of publish: $4

_{Material: Wood | Coverage: 8 square feet at 3 inches deep | Colors: Black, brown, and red}

Best Budget

Earthgro by Scotts Black Colorized Mulch

View On Home Depot

If you’re looking for an affordable, shredded wood mulch that will keep its vibrant shade for a full year, Earthgro by Scotts is a great product. It works just as any other mulch does by locking in moisture, blocking weeds from getting sunlight, and regulating the temperature of the soil underneath. This mulch is very similar in features to our best overall pick, the Vigoro Premium Colorized Mulch, and claims to cover the same amount of space (although the Earthgro is only 1.5 square feet versus Vigoro's 2 cubic feet), but does cost a bit more per bag. Both brands say the color should last a year, so you may want to try each brand to see which one works the best for your landscape—however, if you are looking for colorized mulch, you can't go wrong with either.

In addition to black, this mulch is also available in brown and red. For the longest-lasting color, you should make sure that the mulch is dry for at least 24 hours after applying it to your yard. Colored mulch does need to be replaced at the end of the season or more often, depending on how much sun it receives. Harsh sun or extreme weather can cause the color to fade faster.

Price at time of publish: $4

_{Material: Wood | Coverage: 8 square feet at 3 inches deep | Colors: Black, brown, and red}

Best for Vegetables

CleanStraw Long Leaf Pine Straw

View On Ace Hardware View On Maxwarehouse.com

Straw mulch is a great option for vegetable gardens because it's affordable, all-natural, and allows water to pass through easily to get to your vegetables. Also, you won't mind its messy appearance in your vegetable garden, as you may in a flower bed or other landscaped area. CleanStraw's Long Leaf Pine Straw is a great option because it is budget-friendly, and stored in bags that are made to be easy to transport in your car without making a mess, and according to the manufacturer, are 99 percent free of sticks.

This straw mulch is chemical-free and all-natural so keep in mind that the straw color will fade over time. Like all mulches, you will most likely still need to weed your vegetable garden occasionally (and more often than some other options on this list), but with the addition of mulch, you will have more time to pick and enjoy your fresh food. Straw mulch could also be used on lawns, around fruit trees and shrubs, and to protect your plants in the winter.

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Material: Pine straw | Coverage: 4.8 square feet at 2 inches deep | Colors: Varies}

Best for Landscaping

NuScape Rubber Mulch Nuggets

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's

For a long-lasting mulch that will not fade or deteriorate, rubber mulch is the way to go. Available in three colors, NuScape mulch has the same look as other wood-based mulches but is heavier, more durable, and made of 100 percent recycled rubber. In fact, the brand claims that the color should last for 12 years. It also provides a bit of bounce, making it a great option for playgrounds or swing sets.

Like most rubber mulches, this mulch is much more expensive than its all-natural competitors but lasts for much longer, so it can be worth the cost, especially if you don't plan on planting in that area. In fact, the NuScape claims that the color should last for 12 years. Also, unlike wood mulch, this product can be used closer to your house, since it won't attract bugs like wood mulches tend to do. You also don't need to spread it as deeply to suppress weeds, so the same amount does go further.

Price at time of publish: $34

_{Material: Recycled plastic | Coverage: 4.8 square feet at 2 inches deep | Colors: Black, brown, and red}

Best Weed Blocking

ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier

4.8

View On Amazon

If your main goal is to reduce weeds in your garden beds or landscape, weed-blocking fabric is an excellent solution. ECOgardener Premium Pro Garden Weed Barrier is our favorite option because it is effective at blocking weeds yet still allows water and air to pass through to the soil. We also love that it is available in several lengths and widths to match your needs and whichever size you choose, it can be cut with scissors to match the space or to fit around your plants.

Lightweight and easy to install, this weed blocker is made of untreated polypropylene fabric and the manufacturer claims that it doesn't release chemicals into the soil. However, since it doesn't provide any UV protection (and doesn't look all that attractive in your landscape), you should cover it with mulch or soil to prevent sun damage from breaking it down over time.

Price at time of publish: $36

_{Material: Polypropylene | Coverage: 3 x 50 feet | Colors: Black}

Best for Flower Beds

Soil Blend Super Compost 8 lbs. Concentrated Bag

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

Compost is a great way to mulch flower beds since it provides nutrients to the soil and looks neat and attractive as well. This organic option is made with cow manure, alfalfa meal, and pure earthworm castings. Like any mulch, compost helps soil retain moisture and regulate temperature. It also has the added benefit of nutrients for the plants, often resulting in larger, more colorful, more plentiful, and longer-lasting flowers.

The manufacturer claims that this concentrated 8-pound bag can make 40 pounds of mulch. However, you will need to add your own bag of topsoil to this mix, adding to the cost. While you can make your own compost to add to your soil, this product saves you time and space from maintaining your own compost bin or pile.

Price at time of publish: $53

_{Material: Compost | Coverage: Not listed | Colors: Not applicable}

Best for Lawn

Scotts Topsoil Lawn & Garden Soil Conditioner

View On Lowe's

One of the most important factors when adding anything directly to your lawn is to choose a product that will improve the soil as well as protect it. This is especially true if you are applying it to an area where grass struggles to grow. Scotts Topsoil is a mixture of organic soil and peat moss, which helps build strong roots to your existing grass.

This is a great option to fill in holes or improve bare patches in your lawn. For those beginning a new garden, Scotts Topsoil is the perfect addition to spruce up the area before and during planting. Keep in mind that this topsoil is designed to be used in-ground rather than in containers or raised beds. It does not prohibit the growth of weeds in garden beds.

Price at time of publish: $3

_{Material: Sphagnum peat moss and organic matter | Coverage: Not listed | Colors: Not applicable}