Gardeners often hear about the benefits of both mulch and compost, but many people aren’t sure when to use one over the other.

Compost Spreader Roller – Evenly distributes compost across garden beds

VEVOR Compost Spreader with Height Adjustable Handle

$75.97

This compost spreader is made of powder-coated steel, which is corrosion- and rust-proof, ensuring long-lasting use. It features a 24" steel basket, making it more time-saving and labor-saving than the traditional method, spreading your needed soil in no time.

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06/05/2026 09:52 pm GMT

While both improve soil health and plant growth, they serve different purposes in the garden.

Understanding the differences between mulch and compost can help you make better decisions for your vegetable beds, flower gardens, and landscaping.

What Is Compost?

Compost is decomposed organic material made from food scraps, yard waste, leaves, and other natural materials.

Through the composting process, microbes break these materials down into a rich, dark soil amendment often called “black gold.”

Compost is primarily used to improve soil fertility and structure.

It adds nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium while also promoting beneficial microorganisms that support plant growth.

Gardeners typically mix compost directly into the soil before planting or use it as a top dressing around plants.

Because compost improves soil health from the inside, it’s an essential ingredient for vegetable gardens, raised beds, and container gardening.

What Is Mulch?

Mulch is a protective layer of material placed on top of the soil surface rather than mixed into it.

Mulch can be organic—such as wood chips, straw, or shredded leaves—or inorganic, like gravel or landscape fabric.

The main purpose of mulch is to protect the soil and regulate soil temperature and moisture.

Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. It also prevents soil erosion and reduces water evaporation during hot weather.

Organic mulches slowly break down over time and eventually contribute organic matter to the soil, though their primary role is protection rather than direct plant feeding.

When to Use Compost

Compost is best used to improve soil quality and fertility. Common situations include:

• Preparing garden beds before planting vegetables
• Improving poor or compacted soil
• Adding nutrients to raised beds
• Revitalizing soil between growing seasons

Mixing compost into the top few inches of soil gives plant roots immediate access to nutrients and beneficial microbes.

When to Use Mulch

Mulch is ideal when your goal is to protect soil and maintain moisture. Use mulch for:

• Preventing weeds in garden beds
• Keeping soil cool in summer and warmer in winter
• Retaining moisture during dry weather
• Protecting soil from erosion and heavy rain

Applying a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around plants creates a barrier that helps maintain stable growing conditions.

Using Mulch and Compost Together

Many gardeners achieve the best results by combining compost and mulch.

First, mix compost into the soil to improve fertility.

Then apply mulch on the soil surface to protect the improved soil and retain nutrients.

This layered approach creates a healthy growing environment where plants receive nutrients below the surface while benefiting from moisture retention and weed control above it.

Five Helpful Amazon Products for Mulch and Compost Gardening

Here are five Amazon products that make working with compost and mulch easier:

Dual-Chamber Compost Tumbler – Produces homemade compost more efficiently

Miracle-Gro Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler

$109.87

Do you dream of a bountiful harvest or a front yard full of vibrant flowers? This dual-chamber composter will help you produce a constant and abundant flow of the coveted compost. The tight seals keep out unwanted pests. Give your plants the nutrient-dense fertilizer they crave, and watch your garden bloom like never before!

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06/05/2026 10:35 pm GMT

Heavy-Duty Garden Fork – Ideal for mixing compost into soil

5-Tine Heavy Duty Pitchfork for Loosening Soil

$39.99

This heavy-duty gardening pitchfork is designed to easily dig through and cut through compacted soil. It features a tempered steel fork head and a fiberglass handle with a D-grip.

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06/05/2026 10:35 pm GMT

Garden Wheelbarrow  – Makes transporting mulch and compost easier

2 Wheel Wheelbarrow with Padded Handlebar

$105.21

With a load tray capacity of five cubic feet, this wheelbarrow is ideal for moving larger quantities of various materials such as gravel, mulch, compost, branches, or shrubs.

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06/05/2026 01:50 am GMT

Mulch Fork or Pitchfork – Helps spread mulch quickly and evenly

Pitch Fork with 4 Tines for Compost, Manure, Mulch, and Aeration

$28.99

The handle of the pitchfork features an ergonomic Y-shaped grip, with a 45 ° curve that aligns with the hand's natural curve and is more comfortable to use.

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06/05/2026 01:50 am GMT

Building Healthier Soil for Better Gardens

Mulch and compost are two of the most powerful tools a gardener can use to improve plant health naturally.

Compost feeds the soil and strengthens plant roots, while mulch protects the soil surface and preserves moisture.

By understanding when to use each and how they work together, you can create a healthier garden ecosystem that supports strong plant growth, reduces maintenance, and improves harvests season after season.

The post Mulch vs Compost: When to Use Each in Your Garden appeared first on Best Garden Composters.

EJWOX Garden Compost Bin Tumbler Features

• Dual chambers for composting
• It comes with easy-to-open sliding doors
• It doesn’t take long to assemble
• Easy to turn the barrel to mix materials
• 43-gallon capacity

Garden Compost Bin Tumbler Description

This is a great tumbling composter that is easy to use and will convert your kitchen and yard scraps into nutritious material for your garden.

The two-chamber designs will allow the material to be rotated.

One chamber can compost the new material while the other holds the completed compost.

With the built-in sliding doors, this composter is easy to access, and the 43-gallon capacity means you have lots of room for your scraps.

It is available with either black or green sliding doors.

What we Liked Most about the EJWOX Tumbler

What we liked about this compost tumbler is that it spins quickly. It is also stable and should withstand strong winds. We also liked that it is well-priced, making it affordable for most people.

What we Did Not Like about the EJWOX Tumbler

What we didn’t like about this composter is that some people found it challenging to assemble, while others didn’t. As well, some found the sliding doors could be a little larger.

Garden Compost Bin from BPA Free Materials

$79.99

A dual-chamber composter allows for continuous composting. Fill up one while the other nears the end of the compost process, the rich black stuff ready to use. Once empty, that becomes the one to fill up while the other completes the cycle.

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06/05/2026 10:35 pm GMT

More on the EJWOX Garden Composter: FAQ

What is the bar in the middle of the composter made from?

The bar is made of metal.

Are there latches on the sliding doors?

No, there are no latches, so this composter would not be bear-proof.

Can the composter be assembled without the divider so there is only a single chamber?

Yes, it is possible to have a single chamber. It would need to be done when assembling the composter. 

Does it have a galvanized steel frame?

No, the frame is powder-coated steel.

How long does it take to make compost for the garden?

This will depend a lot on what materials are added to the composter, how often you turn the material, how warm the outside temperature is, and how damp the material is in the composter. Under the best conditions, you should plan on six weeks before seeing any compost. In the winter months, it might take several more weeks; for the best results, place the composter in a sunny spot in the garden.

Frequently Bought Together:

Compost Starter

The Compost-it Compost Starter is ideal for all composting methods, including piles, bins, barrels, and other methods.

The compost starter will help to make compost tea, which is great for feeding plants.

This compost starter will also speed up the decomposition of raw organic materials, resulting in really great organic humus.

Your garden will never look better!

Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Get started with composting by using a kitchen compost bin to collect your food scraps before taking them to your outdoor composter.

This bin has an airtight lid and a replaceable activated charcoal filter.

The good news is that this bin helps prevent odors from escaping.

It will hold several days’ worth of scraps before needing to be emptied.

The post EJWOX Garden Compost Bin Tumbler Review appeared first on Best Garden Composters.