Info hub · Beds · Updated 2026-09-03
Hardwood mulch vs pine straw in the Triangle
Both work. The wrong depth and the wrong edge are what make beds look tired in three months.
Hardwood mulch holds moisture and gives a dark, finished bed. Pine straw is lighter, sheds water a bit more, and matches a lot of Raleigh HOA streetscapes. Neither one should be piled against the trunk or the siding.
We recut the edge first. A bed that has crept into the lawn makes even new material look sloppy. Weeds and volunteer trees come out before a yard of product goes down. Depth is usually two to three inches — enough to suppress weeds, not enough to smother the crown.
On slopes, straw can migrate. Rock or a heavier mulch plus a defined edge holds better next to a driveway. Under trees, keep the root flare visible. Volcano mulch is how bark stays wet and pests move in.
A once-a-year refresh is enough for most front beds if the edge is maintained. We can pair mulch day with planting or lighting so the wire and the plants are not disturbed twice.