Should you use shredded paper as garden mulch? It might sound like a quirky, even questionable idea at first—but don’t toss ...

Plain shredded paper is a safe and budget-friendly material when used correctly. Apply in thin layers and top with natural mulch to prevent matting. Shredded paper can also be used in your compost bin ...

Many years ago early in my agriculture/gardening career, I discovered a book written by a woman who developed a novel way of gardening. Ruth Stout’s gardening technique involved applying layers of ...

If you’re looking for some budget-friendly ways to tend to your garden this spring, the answer might be in your hands right now. Today’s newspapers, printed with natural, soy-based inks, are versatile ...

Q: I have shredded bark mulch on all of my flower beds. Lately, I have noticed what looks like wet cornmeal on the mulch. These areas turn foamy and then turn leathery before turning into a brown ...

A rose by any other name may still be a rose, but mulches need defining. There are 17 different materials considered on the University of California’s Statewide Integrated Pest Management website, and ...

Mulch is miraculous stuff. It keeps weeds at bay, fertilizes the soil, and minimizes the effects of too-hot (or too-cold) temperatures. Certain types even repel pests. But the single best argument for ...

Mulch adds protection to the roots of plants from fluctuating temperatures, suppresses weeds, and prevents moisture evaporation. Learn when and how you should mulch plants in the fall.