Show them how mulch you care
A renewed application of the right type of mulch can produce benefits both visually and financially appealing to a course.
It’s that time of year again — if not already, then soon — when landscape beds on and around the golf course beg for a fresh coat of mulch.

Rather than mulch the entire hillside along the right of this cart path, the use of liriope groundcover significantly reduces the amount of yearly mulch application. The double-ground mulch in the foreground stays in place well on the slope.
Though bulk mulch applications commandeer a significant chunk of material and labor budgets, the benefits are well understood: moisture management, weed suppression (though it’s not the silver bullet we wish it were) and aesthetic value.
Mulching is an important landscape management tool, and as with any tool, utilizing it masterfully results in maximized benefits. Choosing the right mulch has as much to do with its intended purpose as cost alone. Selecting the optimal type of mulch or mulch alternative saves time and maintenance thereafter. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the different types of mulch (including viable alternatives) and their appropriate applications.
Types of mulch
Just like different types of turf, all mulches are not created equal, nor is there a one-size-fits-all for every landscape solution. The two most common natural mulches are derived from hardwood or pine products. Alternative mulches and groundcovers are also notable resources.
Hardwood mulch Hardwood mulches are versatile and available in a variety of natural or dyed colors and textures. These mulches are denser than their pine counterparts, which allows them to retain moisture and smother weed seeds more effectively. Its denser nature also makes hardwood mulch heavier and more cumbersome to spread compared to pine mulches. Texture (single, double or triple ground) is a significant element and is reflected in the cost. The more refined (and more expensive) products form an effective barrier to weeds and are more likely to stay in place on sloped beds (reducing time spent on cleanup after heavy rains) than those especially prone to messy runoff. However, their increased fineness means that they are less durable and need refreshing more often than coarser products.

Premium cottonseed hull mulch combined with sedum groundcover accentuates annual plantings at the clubhouse entrance.
Pine mulch The distinct look and smell makes pine mulch a favorite of many club members. It’s a much lighter product compared to hardwoods, making application faster and easier. But the lower density makes pine a culprit for floating and washouts after heavy rains. Like hardwood mulch, pine products also are available in a variety of textures. The coarsest of these (nuggets) exhibit considerable longevity compared to pine needles, which need complete annual or even semi-annual replenishment.
Alternative or premium mulches
These include cocoa hulls, buckwheat hulls, cottonseed hulls, screened compost and gravel. These are premium products used in relatively small but highly visible beds. The cost is high but the visual appeal is extremely striking. With the exception of gravel, these products break down fairly quickly and thereby can serve double duty as soil amendments. On the other hand, gravel maintains its appearance for years and needs only to be touched up and maintained after the initial costs of application. One drawback is that gravel does little to suppress weeds or retain moisture.

Use different colored mulches
to create a striking visual display on a footpath between holes.
Groundcover Tough, no-fuss plants that grow quickly are sometimes a more sensible alternative to mulch in the long run. Though the initial installment requires greater attention than an application of mulch, the benefits are seen quickly in subsequent years when mulch is no longer needed to cover the same area. Hardy, fast-growing groundcovers include liriope, sedum, creeping jenny and native grasses.
Mulch application

Avoid creating a “mulch volcano,” which smoothers tree roots.
Use hardwood mulches where deciduous ornamentals are dominant, and introduce pine mulch products beneath conifer/evergreen plants. Using a combination of different mulches in juxtaposition can be useful in creating soft footpaths between holes. The size, slope and focal value of the bed should dictate the texture of the product you choose. Finer textures tend to stay in place better and have higher visual appeal.
Tree rings The mulched ring, 2 inches to 3 inches deep, should be flat (not mounded), around the base of the tree. Avoid creating mulch volcanos, which smother tree roots and invite insect infestations beneath the bark, all to the ultimate decline of the tree. Never allow mulch to be in contact with the trunk.
Flower (annual) beds Use the finest textured mulch available, as coarser products detract from the available nitrogen needed by the annuals. Premium mulches such as cottonseed hulls or screened compost have a striking effect and quickly elevate the visual display of annuals.
Photos: Hannah Schrum / istock.com (AdShooter)