Mulch problems- help!

Adina Fulsom
by Adina Fulsom
When we get heavy rain, the bark mulch washes out of my flower bed. I'm thinking of using shredded hardwood mulch instead. It's alot of work and I'm wondering if it will be worth it...

  8 answers
  • Amanda Amanda on May 25, 2018

    Hi Adina. I have the same issue. You can purchase black edging to pound in at the border of the flower bed. Once in you won't be able to see it so much. It would help keep the mulch in.

    • Adina Fulsom Adina Fulsom on May 25, 2018

      I have stones surrounding the bed that are approximately 3-4" above the ground level, and that didn't resolve this issue. So, I'm trying the shredded mulch.


  • Mad29883817 Mad29883817 on May 25, 2018

    Triple shredded mulch is the best that bark mulch is junk and attracts roaches

  • It will still wash away. You need an edge or a border of some sort

    • Adina Fulsom Adina Fulsom on May 25, 2018

      I have rocks that border the bed approximately 3-4" above the level of the soil, so that's not the issue😣.....just the downpours!!!�😊

  • Carol Thomas Carol Thomas on May 25, 2018

    I really love the rubber mulch. It's heavy enough to stay in place in most situations, never rots or loses its color.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 25, 2018

    install garden edging

  • Sharon Depatie Sharon Depatie on May 25, 2018

    Border your flower garden & get drain spouts to redirect rain water away from the gardens.

  • Where do you live? Maybe rock woukd be better. They won't float away

  • Rockyroad Rockyroad on May 26, 2018

    Hardwood mulch , or any mulch that is not decomposed some , will "fixate" or tie up Nitrogen as it decomposes . Deprives plants of necessary Nitrogen nutrients . Also pH will get too messed up in decomposition process . Softwood , (pine , fir , spruce , hemlock ) that is partially decomposed is better , but pH should still be checked and probably lime added . Maybe terrace your bed or build retaining wall ? Ground cover plants reduce erosion . I've encountered constant battles w/ bank erosion until I added a curtain drain across the top .