The best source of lawn clippings is a well-maintained lawn. Grass clippings from a weed-infested lawn will undoubtedly contain a large amount of weed seed, such as dandelion, plantain, and crabgrass. Grass clippings are not long-lasting and are best used in the vegetable garden or annual flower bed. Straw that is free from crop and weed seed is an excellent mulch for the vegetable garden and strawberry bed. Suitable materials include wheat, oat, and soybean straw.
Urban gardeners can often buy straw at garden centers.
Straw may provide a winter habitat for mice and other rodents. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using straw around trees and shrubs. Leaves should be shredded or composed before applied as a mulch. Shredded or composted leaves do not mat down as readily as whole leaves, are less likely to blow away in the wind, and decompose more quickly. Shredded or composted leaves are an excellent mulch for vegetable gardens, raspberry plantings, perennial flower beds, and around trees and shrubs.