Is there something besides mulch that I can use in my garden?

I use cocoa bean shells. They compost really nice. I've used them for years.

There are hundreds of different types of rocks and rock products. Straw, pine needles, crushed shells, crushed sea shells. Mary ann's suggestion is awesome. I would wander in to a GOOD builders supply or landscaping supplier in your area. They would carry the products best suited to your climate, chat them up a bit an see what you like for the area you have to cover. I am a "touchy feely" person, no matter the description on the computer, I need to see it and feel it to make a decision and visualize it in the space.

Hubby and I cover all gardens with mulched leaves each fall. In the vegetable garden I till some in each spring. The rest of the garden areas I remove them once the hostas start coming up a few inches. I use grass clippings if I have them around vegetable plants to conserve moisture.

Hi....I don't knw if this will help but, I keep egg shells. when roses start to bloom I place the egg shells crushed around them good for all plants really.

My gardener uses Sweet Peat. It is not Peat Moss that tends to be dusty and dirty. The plants love it. You can find it at most Garden Yards.

I'm glad that I could help Also if ants make their homes in your driveway or inside your home spray with Vinegar.

coco bean mulch smells like chocolate, is extremely fine in texture and one of the more expensive mulches. I've used it on top of my ornamental flowering potted plants, too pricey for the amount of mulch i need for my veg garden.

News papers folded to fit between the rows in my garden have always been helpful in keeping the weeds out. I use 12 layers of newspaper and then cover it with fresh straw. Any mulch could be used instead.