About Mulch:
Mulching Trees, Shrubs and Gardens.

Mulching your garden is an easy and simple way to maintain your gardens looks and health. You can mulch your flowers, trees or shrubs using pine needles, shredded bark, bark chips, shredded leaves, gravel, straw, and grass clippings.

Mulching will block the growth of weeds, keep the soil moist and cool, insulates in the winter months and improves the condition of the soil as it breaks down.

You may want to place landscape fabric down before you mulch. Landscape fabric is very good at keeping weeds down as it allows water and air to pass through the fabric. Covering the landscape fabric with a layer of mulch should help it last for several years.