Colored wood mulch spread around a tree.

Using leaves as an alternative to mulch material is probably one of the most common, natural, and cheapest methods out there. Using a leaf mulcher to make mulch can save us hundreds of dollars and keeps plants healthy because they contain many nutrients left over from the trees.

Estimated Reading Time: 7 mins. In the backyard, there are 6 trees (I would estimate they're each years old and maples or littleleaf lindens). The turf is cut away in a 3ft-radius circle around each tree and the circle around the tree is filled with mulch. Unfortunately, our dog is a mulch-digging and mulch-flinging machine.

Likely, even to the point where you will want or need to split them, which will in the end give you more for your investment.

Leaves ARE the natural mulch for trees. Not only do I use leaves for most of the trees, but also most of the shrub borders, and almost all the beds in the back garden (which is a large naturalized garden, composed of primarily native plants). Apr 14, Adding some curb appeal has never been easier! With these mulch alternatives, you will have a landscape that is about as maintenance free as you can get. I will be enjoy this space for years to come!

These mulch alternatives are even puppy dog approved! This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lowe’bushleaning.bars: Jun 03, To ensure proper landscaping, you can just spread the pine bark mulch around plants and trees in your garden. Pine needles will give you ultimate results when used correctly. 2. Grass clippings. Grass clippings provide many benefits to landscaping and are absolutely an excellent substitute to bushleaning.bars: 1. Nov 17, It’s one of the easiest and least expensive ways to ensure the long-term health and fertility of your soil and the health of your trees and shrubs.

Readily available and made from plant material, wood mulch returns itself into the soil from which it grew. You can find wood mulch in a Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins.