applecri says:

I have always used the cheapest mulch around my flowers and shrubs, some will wash away not much you can do about it. In my garden I use grass clippings and then cover them with straw.

Cindy B says:

Tree chips are available for “free” from tree maintenance companies or from some county agriculture depts. These are excellent for paths and for around trees (don’t put the chips right up next to the tree – keep it back several inches). I put down about 3-4 inches for a path and 2-3 inches under a tree. I also use them around established shrubs, perennials, etc. (but not so deep –maybe only an inch or two). They are also good spread in an area where you want to prevent weeds. If you have an area that gets muddy in the winter, put down chips and you will be able to walk out there!! They will compost in about two years (less if the layer is thicker), so you can plant in the area at any time! If you get to be good friends with a tree guy (you don’t have to be a paying customer!! — they are looking to get rid of all their chips without paying for the landfill), they will call you when they have good chips for your yard!!
I use home-made compost as the mulch around most of my plants. Lawn clippings, leaves and kitchen scraps mixed in a pile will be ready to put around your plants in about six weeks. I also add horse manure to my mix. In many cases, I don’t need to give my plants any other fertilizer!! My gardener actually BRAGS about my garden to his other customers!!
If you have to purchase your mulch, then a bag of horse/steer manure is great in veggie gardens. Dig it into the ground a couple of weeks before you plant your veggies. Then you can use the same to mulch around the plants (again, keep it several inches away from the stalk).
For other plants, you need to know whether they prefer an acid or a neutral soil. If you need acid, there are special mulches that will add more acid to the soil (pine needles or special mixes). For neutral, you can use horse/steer manure.
You do not HAVE to have the “designer” mulches that cost an arm and leg!! Newspaper strips can accomplish the same objective (keeps soil moist and prevents weeds) if that is your only alternative!!
Good Luck!!

J Z says:

Compost is a good mulch around your plants. There are different varieties, but they all have nutrients that feed the plant and when they are later worked into the soil, they improve the quality of the soil. This organic matter between soil particles helps hold water and creates tiny air pockets. Believe it or not, roots need air too.
Wood mulch or shredded bark is good for paths because it does not break down easily. It is not so great around plants. Some claim that it can rob the soil of nitrogen. But if you are feeding your plants regularly, there is no harm in using it around plants. Besides, it looks nice.
Gravel and pebbles are both nice for paths. You don’t need to replace them as often as wood mulch.
A new mulch is shredded rubber. It’s made to look like bark, but it’s softer under foot, doesn’t have splinters and doesn’t break down. It is also more expensive.
I like composted plant material for all of my plants (bushes, trees, flowers, vegetables & lawns). It doesn’t stink like composted manure and has no chance of burning the roots. My soil is clay and needs all the help it can get or else it becomes rock hard.
For garden pathways I like stepping stones.

Kermit says:

American women are hilarious!