Both Scotts® Nature Scapes® Color Enhanced Mulch and Scotts® Nature Scapes® Triple Shred Mulch are made from natural recovered forest materials, not ground-up pallets or construction debris. These two premium mulches, available in black, brown, and red, also provide you with rich color that lasts up to a year.

Red mulch receives its color from iron oxide, a.k.a. rust. After combining rust with water, we spray the solution onto the mulch to create the color. As unappealing as rusty metal might appear, rust itself is harmless to plants and animals. It's nothing more than the byproduct of a natural chemical reaction.

Red mulch is a popular landscaping choice that can add a pop of color to any outdoor space. Made from shredded wood or rubber, it's known for its ability to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth. It is also an eco-friendly option, as it is often made from recycled materials.

Red-dyed mulch is dyed red to hide its origin as cargo pallets, those wooden platforms used for stacking heavy goods, such as bags of fertilizer, so a forklift can easily pick them up. Other types of wood, such as demolition debris, can be used, too. It's not necessarily a bad idea.

Locally made from regionally-based forest products, Scotts® Nature Scapes® Color Enhanced Mulch Sierra Red brings vibrant, year-long color to your landscape. The ability to enjoy the bright colors all year comes from the Color Guard® technology which enables the mulch to retain its vibrant hues.

Made from forest products, Earthgro Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature and prevent weeds naturally by blocking growth and access to sunlight when applied at a 3-in. depth. For longest color, keep mulch dry for 24 hours after application.

Locally made from regionally-based forest products, Scotts® Nature Scapes® Color Enhanced Mulch Sierra Red brings vibrant, year-long color to your landscape. The ability to enjoy the bright colors all year comes from the Color Guard® technology which enables the mulch to retain its vibrant hues.

Potential Soil Contamination by Dyed Mulch This sometimes includes the actual dyes used for the coloring. Though those are often harmless. These chemicals can exist in the soil for a very long time and cause issues with plant growth. They could even end up in food grown in the soil.

Check the back of the bag to see how many inches of mulch is ideal, then apply the mulch to the area and spread it with a garden rake to even it out. Make sure to leave a few inches of space between the mulch and the bases of trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Mulch is primarily made of organic material and can come in a variety of forms. Mulch is most commonly made of tree bark, wood chips, pine straw, moss, grass clippings, or leaves. Other substances like newspaper, manure, compost, or rubber are also popular.

Organic mulches decompose over time, improving soil structure and quality, and returning nutrients to the soil. Inorganic mulches are generally used to create barriers to weeds. They are also used for decorative purposes. Inorganic mulch, such as rocks or gravel, does not readily decompose.

With a little raking, this double-ground mulch will retain its color and texture for up to 18 months (depending on weather conditions and exposure). To minimize fading of color-enhanced mulches, do not spread in the rain or when rain is forecasted within 48 hours of application.

Iron oxide, used to produce red mulch, is commonly known as rust, and is used extensively in paints, cosmetics, and even used to dye flowers. Carbon, used to produce black mulch, is an element often used for ink or paint. Both bases for these dyes are considered natural, non-toxic and safe for handling.

The wood used in our colored mulches is natural forest products that are by-products of the timber industry. The materials include discarded branches, bark removed before boards or cut and potentially poorly cut boards that have to be discarded at the mill. None of our colored mulches are specifically hardwood mulches.

Well-timed fertilizer applications not only feed your grass to help it grow thick and lush, but also give weeds less room to grow. Ideally, you should fertilize your lawn with the right Scotts® Turf Builder® lawn food for your grass type 4 times a year: in early spring, late spring, summer, and fall.

Mulch helps conserve and extend available water, protects the soil from erosion, reduces competition by suppressing weeds, moderates temperature extremes, and acts as a barrier or visible marker of gardening beds to limit damage by landscape maintenance equipment.