Do you want to enrich your soil or enhance the aesthetics of the lawn or garden? Then mulch is the best way to go, right? However, there are some other benefits and aspects of using mulch besides these two things.
Besides enriching soil, mulch provides nutrients to plants, control weed growth, conserve moisture, prevent disease, and maintain the soil temperature etc.
As you know there are several types of mulch available. However, the most common and organic mulch is wood chips and barks. In fact, such mulch gives you long lasting solution if you choose the best wood mulch for vegetable garden.
Besides mulching, these wood chips are commonly used for pet bedding and can be used as a natural air freshener.
Thus, to make your search easy, we have narrowed down the 5 top-rated wood mulch for gardening and pet bedding. Plus, a step-by-step guide is included to let you know how to make a mulch bed.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Wood Mulch for Vegetable Garden Reviews
We have designed this review section with the detailed specification and function of the best wood mulch for garden. Indeed, it will save your time to narrow down the buying list. Let’s jump into the reviews.
1. Cedar 8lb Bag Wood Mulch Granules
If cedar wood chips are your first preference while choosing the mulch, then take a look at this pack. This pack comes in huge quantities which is good enough for personal gardening.
In fact, cedar is the most reliable mulch for lawn or garden, since it has maximum resistance to all weather conditions.
That’s why Cedarcide- the manufacturer has formulated this mulch out of natural content.
The good news is that this pack doesn’t contain any chemical substances. Thus, your family and pets are safe from using this mulch. Besides mulching, this pack is recommended for using on pet beds.
Whether you are making a flower or vegetable bed, you can effortlessly use these mulches to most of the plants. Interestingly, you can cover up to 3,500 sq. ft areas.
Most Liking Features
The additional benefit of using these cedar chips is- it works as bug repellers. You can use it in your garden or around your pet’s house and see how it repels fleas, ticks, ants and mosquitoes.
Probable Drawbacks
The cedar scent could go away after a couple of weeks while using it outside.
Key Features
- Covers up to 3,500 sq. ft.
- Works as natural air freshener
- Devoid of toxic elements
- Pet friendly wooden chips
- Repels fleas, ticks, gnats, ants and mosquito
2. Woodchucks Wood Amish Aromatic Cedar Wood Shavings
Besides gardening, those who want the natural aroma from the wood shaving, this collection is for them. In fact, the scent is quite evident mostly in the indoor.
Most of the buyers prefer brand reliability before buying. In this case, this Woodchucks brand can be trusted completely due to their product quality.
The main advantage of having this pack is its natural content. All chips are 100% naturally produced of cedar wood mulch for vegetable garden. And there is no chemical contamination at all.
As compared to the first product in the list, it is a step ahead in terms of quantity, price and scent. However, the subsequent three products in the list are quite reasonable.
You can use the pack for your vegetable to flower garden. After using the first phase, it will serve you for a long time. That means it reduces the extra wastage.
Most Liking Features
This pack is mostly useful for the pet as well. You can make pet’s bedding out of these cedar chips. And definitely, your pet will enjoy its natural aroma.
Probable Drawbacks
Not completely fresh yet in terms of sawdust, so such sawdust might create breathing problems while using.
Key Features
- All 100% natural cedar shaving
- Perfect for pet bedding
- Special for its natural aroma
- Comes in a large pack
3. Wood Smith Cedar Mulch | Pet Bedding | 100% Natural | 4Qt
This pack is from a renowned manufacturer in the USA. And it comes with all-natural cedar chips without contamination.
So, if you prefer 100% natural cedar chips for mulching, then it would be a considerable pack.
First off, we must tell you that this is the versatile pack. You can effortlessly use these mulches on both indoor and outdoor plants. For hanging plants, it would be a good option.
We notice that it has a good competency to repel bugs. You can litter a bit around your door or the bug entering areas. And you can see the bugs will disappear for a couple of weeks.
Using this wooden mulch is easy. Just spread the chips over the soil. Afterward, just press a bit firmly so that it sets on the soil. Otherwise, it might blow away with the wind.
Most Liking Features
Most of the homemakers prefer these wooden chips for pet bedding. Actually, it is quite appreciable for a cat and dog’s bed. It will eliminate the odors as well.
Probable Drawbacks
These chips are too light and small that can easily blow away.
Key Features
- A quantity pack with great price
- Made out of 100% natural content
- Works as air freshener and repeller
- Applicable also for hanging plants
4. Rio Hamza Pine Bark Mulch, 100% Natural | Potting Media | 4Qt
Besides using the cedar chips, some prefer pine bark chips for mulching. So, if you are one of them and looking for the best wood mulch for vegetable garden then move forward with us.
Rio Hamza is a familiar brand in producing wood mulch for gardens. They have collected all the natural pine bark for mulching. And it comes in a 13-inch x 10-inch bag, plus, the total quantity of the pack is one gallon.
Besides using outside plants, you are allowed to use these barks for indoor houses.
After using the barks, we have noticed that they can prevent soil moisture and enrich both plant and soil. So, you can undoubtedly use the bark for terrariums.
When we juxtapose this pack with the other mulch in the list, we can see the price of the pack is quite more reasonable than others. Within this budget, it offers a considerable number of barks.
Most Liking Features
These pine barks are carrying a natural scent. It is so aromatic that the scent is noticeable. So, you can use these barks for indoor plants as well.
Probable Drawbacks
Some packs come with tiny crawling bugs. It may be the older pack. So, make sure of this thing while ordering.
Key Features
- A cost-effective pack
- The pack includes all-natural barks
- Perfect for indoor outdoor use
- Carries a natural pine scent
5. Vundahboah Amish Goods Cedar Wood Mulch Chips Shavings
Last but not the least wood mulch is from Vundahboah Amish- a American manufacturer. They brought a quantity pack for money. Let’s explore this one.
The main special feature of this pack is its natural aroma. After opening the pack, you will be besotted with cedar scent. That’s why it is the best mulch for landscaping and also recommended to use for owl boxes and pet bedding and indoor plants.
As we see, these cedar chips are good outdoor plants and shrubs. Specifically, use the chips to the flower and vegetable plant.
Just litter it over the soil, nothing else needs to be done.
Unlike other packs, the quantity of the pack is huge. The total chips quantity is 3 gallons. And the price is much lower than the above four packs in the list.
Most Liking Features
The pack is full of all-natural cedar chips. And all the cedar shaving comes without any chemical contamination, spraying and coating. So, you are safe to use on plants and pet beds.
Probable Drawbacks
Sawdust could be found with these cedar shaving.
Key Features
- Emits natural aromatic scent
- Not chemical, spraying and coating
- Perfect for owl box and pet bedding
- Best quantity for money
Wood Mulch for Vegetable Garden Buying Guide
As you are choosing soil enriching materials, you should be aware of a few things before buying the mulch. Because we have found some issues of mulch that have not met the proper quality.
That’s why we have designed this section with such factors, so that you can select the best organic mulch for vegetable gardens.
See Also:
Chemical Composition
There are some wooden chips available which are coated or sprayed with chemicals. Such mulches are harmful for the plant. On the other hand, if you use such mulch for pet’s bedding then it will equally impact them too. So, you should be careful about chemical-based mulch.
Type Selection
There are different types of mulch such as chips, barks, straw and compost. So, first you should consider which one would be good your plant. Because everyone has different advantages.
Versatile Use
As you know, wood mulch is not only for outdoor plants. You can use them on indoor hanging plants and terrariums. Moreover, the wooden chips are also used for making pet’s bed and owl boxing.
If you choose a versatile pack that can be used most, then it would be a cost-effective pack for you. Besides, some chips can repel bugs such as ant, mosquito, roaches etc. So, you can use such mulch for repelling bugs too.
Quantity
While you are choosing a mulch for multipurpose use, you should choose a large quantity pack. And such quantity packs will reduce your extra spending. There some quantity packs are available at a reasonable price.
How to Make a Mulch Bed
By following a few easy steps, you can make your own mulch bed for flowers, vegetables, and shrubs. Here you can use the wooden chips, barks, pea gravels and other forms of mulch according to the plants. Let’s get started.
Removing Weeds
To enhance the soil health, first off, you have to remove all weeds. Otherwise, it will prevent the plant from growing. You can do it manually or use some herbicide. Remember! If you use herbicide then use it before 2 weeks of mulching.
Raking the Soil
To clean or remove the soil’s contamination such as leaves, seeds, roots and sticks, you need to use a rake. Slowly and firmly, you have to run the process. In fact, it will clean all the unnecessary debris.
Cultivating the Soil
After raking the soil, now you have to cultivate the soil so that it can get ready for planning. You can use a small rototiller or a manual cultivator. Basically, it will allow the soil to get more oxygen.
Edging the Bed
Now time to define a boundary by edging the bed. Basically, it is done to enhance the aesthetics of the mulching bed. Use a power edger or a shovel to make a perfect edge.
Use Pre-eminent Herbicide
After completing the edging, now you can use pre-emergent herbicide to prevent growing the germinated weed. In fact, weeds are left seeds that will grow after a couple of days of mulching.
Final Step
Now you are ready to mulch since you have prepared the mulch bed. Choose your expected mulch and go ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which wood mulch is safe for a vegetable garden?
Cedar wood chips are the best for vegetable gardens. Because, the cedar wood has natural rot resistance. You could use either red, white or yellow cedar wood shaving.
2. Is dyed mulch safe for vegetables?
Yes, you can use dyed wood mulch. But it depends on the types of wood. Basically, dyed mulch is a compound of iron and oxygen which is quite safe to use in a vegetable garden.
3. Which is better brown or black mulch?
In fact, both of the dyed mulch black and brown are safe for the garden. Both of these last more than one year. So, you can go with any of them.
4. What are the best attractive alternatives to mulch?
There are different alternative mulches which can be used instead of mulch such as pea gravel, pumice rock, rubber mulch, hay or straw, newspaper, grass clipping and leaves. In fact, these are the best organic mulch for vegetable gardens.
5. Which mulch could be used for pet bedding?
You can use cedar or pine chips for pet’s bedding and owl boxing. Both are natural and safe for pets. And they emit a natural scent that can repel bugs.
Final Words
Whether you are choosing the mulch for outdoor vegetable gardening or indoor plant, one thing you should consider is its natural content. Besides, if you want the same mulch for multipurpose use then you have to choose the versatile pack.
We hope that the entire article helped you find the best wood mulch for a vegetable garden and let you know how to make a mulch bed.
Related Post:
- Check out the most essential guide for Wood Chips as Mulch.
- Don’t forget to check the fencing for garden reviews.
David, the founder of The Garden Fixer, started with a passion for gardening in 2012. He has continued his passion for gardening and desire to improve his skills and wanted to share his journey and helpful knowledge with other like-minded individuals.
He launched The Garden Fixer as an outlet for those interested in learning more about Gardening in hopes they can take what they learn and apply it for themselves!
