Dyed mulch comes in a wide range of colors and shades. The only difference between it and the non-colored variety is that it serves an aesthetic purpose.
Just imagine seeing a lush lawn filled with rich green foliage and a bright-colored mulch serving as the base of the vegetation.
Whichever color you choose doesn’t really matter to the plants. They only make use of the nutrients that have reached the soil during the decomposition process.
In this post, we’ll focus on only one color: black mulch. We’ll look at how it’s made and whether it’s safe for your garden.
How Do They Turn Mulch Black?
There are about a dozen different colors of mulch currently on the market, ranging from pale brown to red to gray, with black being the most common. Manufacturers turn ordinary-colored mulch into these bold colors by spraying them with water-soluble stain or dye.
First, the mulch made from wood or bark chips moves through a dyeing machine where it’s sprayed with the dye. They’re then deposited in a storage pile.
Black mulch gets its color from the natural and non-toxic carbon dust, which is essentially coal that has been pulverized into a fine powder. It’s then combined with water and the solution is sprayed over the mulch to give it its rich, deep color.
Adding black mulch to your landscape makes the bright colors of the foliage and flowers pop. It also adds a nice contrast to the surrounding buildings and the overall outdoor aesthetic of your yard.
You can find black mulch in online and brick-and-mortar landscaping supply stores. Or, if you prefer, you can make your own homemade dyed mulch using commercially available mulch dyes.
Simply mix the dye with water according to the instructions on the package, then spray on the mulch, and leave to dry for several hours. Once they dry, these dyes are permanent and will keep their color for months.
Is Black Mulch Safe to Use?
As with non-colored mulch, the black-colored variety is made from 100% recycled wood products, which is completely safe to use in your garden. Just make sure you get the kind that’s made from organic materials like wood chips or tree bark, and not synthetic materials like plastic or rubber.
Pros
The all-natural black mulch comes with many benefits. Take a look.
Boosts Soil Health
For starters, it’s great at allowing the soil to regulate its moisture levels. It also helps prevent root rot, while providing the plants with the essential nutrients they need to thrive.
Acts as an Insulator
In addition, the dark color acts as an extra layer of heat insulation during the cold months. So, it helps regulate soil temperature by trapping in sunlight to keep the soil warm.
Thus, plants are less likely to experience temperature shock, which is a common occurrence, particularly in areas that experience harsh winters.
Repels Pests
An added benefit is that dyed mulch has been shown to ward off garden pests, such as crickets, roaches, and termites. It also prevents weeds from growing and spreading through seed dispersal.
Reduces Waste
Another advantage to using mulch in general and dyed mulch in particular is that it’s usually made from recycled wood products. Hence, repurposing these products reduces the amount of waste that would have ended up in landfills.
Cons
After considering the benefits of using black mulch, we also had to find out if it also had any drawbacks. Luckily, we were only able to find a couple.
The first is that dyed mulch is generally more expensive than the non-colored variety. This is because it has to go through that extra step of having it move through the dyeing machine before packaging it and selling it to consumers.
The second drawback is that black mulch decomposes at a slower rate than regular wood mulch. This may disrupt the delicate balance of nutrients, especially nitrogen, in the soil as well as its moisture levels.
Final Thoughts
So, why is mulch black? To add a pop of color to your garden of course!
If you’re looking to make a decorative statement, black mulch is certainly the way to go. It’ll provide you with a pleasing contrast to the bright, vibrant colors of your yard.
It’s also safe to use in your organic garden as it helps maintain the nutrients, moisture, and acidity levels in the soil.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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