A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Is all mulch good? (doesnt decompose?)

I was just looking at some different brands of Mulch online and I saw one that advertised "Does not decompose". I thought that we WANT our Mulch to decompose to improve the soil, right? I'm hoping that The Mulch I put in this spring isn't the type that doesn't decompose! Isn't that what we want eventually? Or am I assuming wrong?

You're absolutely right! That stuff and things like rocks will help to hold in moisture but thats about the extent of their benefits.

Does anyone know how to tell if mine is the type that doesn't decompose or not? I sure hope it does! Especially considering that it's mixed into my soil in a lot of spots! I don't remember which brand it was. (My mom was the one who picked it out and brought it over, but I doubt she paid attention to that.)

What is it made out of? Wood, shredded or chipped stuff? Rocks or pebbles. If it's vegetative matter it'll break down. If it's rocks or gravel it won't break down.

Oh ok! Mine is wood. What worried me was this:

http://www.builderdepot.com/browse.ihtml?pid=194087&step=5&prodstoreid=2531#

I didn't realize it was rubber the first time I saw it! Since it said something about wood in the name I was thinking maybe they added something to it so it didn't decompose or something. Phew I'm relieved!