As a gardener, mulch can be one of your greatest allies. This often-neglected stuff maintains soil moisture and temperature while blocking the growth of weeds around plants you do not want. While there are lots of types of mulch you can use, there are some you may want to avoid:

• Saw dust or wood chips (from a saw mill or cabinet shop) that have not rotted or decomposed may rob nitrogen from your soil and therefore your plants.
• Some mulch, like oak leaves and pine straw, will add acid to your soil (this may be good or bad depending on your soil’s pH).
• Finally, if you’re looking for a deal, don’t buy mulch by the bag. Find a nursery or landscaper who will sell it by the truckload and pick it up or have it delivered.

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