HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- All mulches aren't the same but the use is basically the same.

Every year, there seems to be new mulch products on the market that allow gardeners to meet specific needs in their landscape. Just recently at some lawn and garden centers, there is a pine mulch that can be used as a mulch and can also be a soil conditioner when incorporated into the soil structure. Then there is a new cypress super grade mulch out there that is more coarse and can be fluffed up so to speak around your plants and will actually last longer. You might want to check out these two mulches at your favorite lawn and garden center.

There are still all the old standby mulches that we are used to seeing. However, keep in mind that the more coarse the mulch the longer it will last from year to year. Yes you will have to tweak the mulch each year by raking it loose and probably adding a little extra. Here is a good hint. I know that mulch is supposed to keep down weeds but sometimes all you attempt to do still results in weeds poking their ugly heads in your landscape. There is a product out there called Preen that, when broadcast on the mulch, will not allow certain weed seeds to germinate.

Finally, you have heard the old saying that too much of a good thing can be trouble actually applies to mulch. Don't get the mulch against the shrub or tree bark and never pile it up against flowers. Finally, all you need in the way of amount of mulch is about 2-3 inches to give all the benefits of keeping weeds at bay, conserving moisture and giving your landscape a nice look.