Beautiful mulched garden border in a British cottage garden

Mulch UK: The Complete Guide

Choose the right mulch, apply it properly, transform your garden

Types

Mulch Stops Most Weeds. For the Ones That Push Through...

Our Strong Weed Killer is a glyphosate-based systemic herbicide that kills weeds to the root. The perfect partner for any mulching project.

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Mulch Types

Bark, wood chips, gravel, straw, compost — each mulch material has different strengths. The right choice depends on where you're using it and what you want it to do.

CHOOSING MULCH

6 Mulch Types Compared

Bark lasts longest. Compost feeds the soil. Straw is cheap but blows away. Rubber never breaks down. Each has trade-offs — here's what suits your garden.

Bark Mulch vs Wood Chips vs Gravel: Comparing Mulch Types Compost vs Mulch: What's the Difference? Straw Mulch: When to Use It, When to Avoid It Rubber Mulch: Pros, Cons & Is It Safe? Mushroom Compost as Mulch: Benefits & Limitations Landscape Fabric Under Mulch: Do You Need It?

How to Apply Mulch

Getting the depth right, knowing how much to buy, and avoiding common mistakes like mulch volcanoes — proper application makes all the difference.

GET IT RIGHT

Depth, Quantity & Common Mistakes

Apply 8–10 cm deep, keep it away from plant stems, and never pile it against tree trunks. More isn't always better — too thick and roots suffocate.

How Much Mulch Do I Need? (Calculator & Buying Guide) How Often to Apply Mulch Mulch Volcanoes: Why Piling Mulch Around Trees Kills Them Mulch Blades Explained

Where to Mulch

Different plants and areas need different mulching approaches. Vegetables, roses, trees, and flower beds all have specific requirements.

LOCATION GUIDE

Right Mulch, Right Place

Straw for veg beds, bark for borders, acidic mulch for rhododendrons. Match your mulch to your plants and you'll get better growth with less work.

Mulching Your Vegetable Garden: Best Materials & Methods How to Mulch Roses & Shrubs Best Mulch for Acid-Loving Plants Mulching Around Trees Best Mulch for Flower Beds Mulching Raspberry Canes

Mulch for Weed Control

A thick layer of mulch is one of the best ways to suppress weeds without chemicals. Here's how to get maximum weed prevention from your mulch.

WEED SUPPRESSION

Block Light, Stop Weeds

8–10 cm of bark mulch blocks 90% of weed seeds from germinating. Add cardboard underneath for near-total suppression in the first year.

Best Mulch for Weed Prevention Cardboard Under Mulch: Does It Work?

For weeds that push through mulch: Strong Weed Killer

Troubleshooting

Fungus, bad smells, slugs — mulch can cause problems if you're not careful. Here's how to identify and fix the most common issues.

Mulch Problems: Fungus, Smell & How to Fix Them Slugs in Mulch: Why It Happens & How to Prevent Them

Seasonal & Free Mulch

You don't always need to buy mulch. Leaves, grass clippings, hay, and coffee grounds all make effective free mulch — if you use them correctly.

FREE MULCH

5 Mulches That Cost Nothing

Autumn leaves make the best free mulch — collect them in a wire bin and you'll have leaf mould in 12 months. Grass clippings, hay, and coffee grounds work too.

Winter Mulching: How to Protect Plants from Frost How to Make Leaf Mould: Free Mulch from Autumn Leaves Grass Clippings as Mulch Hay as Garden Mulch Coffee Grounds as Mulch

Our Weed Control Products

Strong Weed Killer 5L Pump Sprayer Spring Lawn Treatment

Complete Your Weed Control

Mulch suppresses most weeds, but for the stubborn ones that push through, our Strong Weed Killer finishes the job.

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