The charts below provide information about these products, as well as some of the more traditional mulches. Organic materials are composed of plant or animal residues, and break down over time. Inorganic mulches are natural or man-made materials that do not decompose, or decompose very slowly. When choosing mulch, basic considerations include cost, appearance, and longevity. Consult local suppliers for cost comparisons.
Appearance is largely a matter of personal taste.
Some people use more attractive and expensive mulches in areas of high visibility, and less expensive mulches in lower visibility sites. Longevity refers to the length of time required for a mulch to break down. One of the benefits of mulches is their ability to improve soils by adding organic matter as they decompose. Mulches that break down slowly improve the soil slowly, but do not need to be reapplied as frequently. In contrast, mulches that break down more quickly provide better soil benefits, but need to be applied more regularly.