Mulch has been a mixed bag for me—cedar chips kept the weeds down but seemed to dry out the soil faster. I tried pine needles once and they actually helped the native sedges hang on longer. Ever had issues with mulch attracting critters, though? I had a whole ant colony move in one year...
Ever had issues with mulch attracting critters, though? I had a whole ant colony move in one year...
That’s the thing with mulch—sometimes it feels like you’re just trading one problem for another. I’ve definitely had ants set up shop under bark chips, and once I even found a mouse nest (not my favorite surprise). Pine needles seem to be less of a magnet, at least in my experience. Honestly, it’s all about finding that balance between looks, function, and what the local wildlife decides is homey. Your space sounds like it’s coming together, though—mulch drama aside.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve had more trouble with gravel than mulch. Ants just tunnel right through it and it’s a pain to weed. At least with bark or wood chips, you can rake things out and refresh it every year or two. Pine needles look nice but they mat down fast and can get slippery if you’re not careful. Sometimes I think the critters are just gonna do what they want, no matter what we put down...
Sometimes I think the critters are just gonna do what they want, no matter what we put down...
Ain’t that the truth. I swear, I could put down a concrete slab and the ants would find a way to set up shop underneath. I’ve tried gravel, mulch, even that fancy rubber stuff—each has its own quirks. Mulch does look tidier and is easier to freshen up, but my tenants complain about mushrooms popping up after a rainy week. At the end of the day, I figure if the yard looks good for showings and isn’t a total ant farm, I’ll call it a win.
Totally get where you’re coming from. Sometimes I think the ants are just more determined than we are—like, they see a new surface and take it as a challenge. I’ve had similar luck with mulch; looks great for a few weeks, then suddenly it’s mushrooms and weeds galore. Still, if it’s tidy enough to impress at a showing and the critters aren’t running the place, I’d say you’re ahead of the game. Perfection’s overrated anyway... a cozy vibe goes a long way.
