What is mulch and do you really need it? [Video]

When it comes to beautifying your backyard, mulch may not be as exciting as growing roses or lilacs, but it plays an important role in keeping your outdoor spaces beautiful.

Mulch is basically a layer that you spread on top of the soil around your plants, explains Bryan Clayton, the CEO of GreenPal, which connects landscaping professionals to homeowners. Mulch is typically comprised of organic material such as shredded bark.

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“It’s a game changer for any garden because it does a bunch of stuff: Mulch helps hold moisture in the soil, keeps the soil cool under the hot sun, and even helps prevent weeds from popping up,” says Clayton, who has been in the landscaping business for 22 years.