Black Shredded Mulch vs Decomposed Granite: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

Black Shredded Mulch

Shredded hardwood mulch dyed black for a bold, modern landscape look. Rich black color makes green plants and colorful flowers stand out. Holds its color longer than brown mulch and provides the same moisture retention, weed suppression, and soil temperature regulation benefits.

Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite, or DG, is granite that weathered in the ground into a mix of sand, silt, and small chips, then was dug and screened to 1/4 or 3/8 inch minus. It costs $25 to $45 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, and compacts into a firm, natural-looking path or patio surface in gold, tan, gray, or rose. It is the standard path material in California, Arizona, Texas, and most of the drought-tolerant West.

Black Shredded Mulch

• ✓ Landscape beds
• ✓ Tree rings
• ✓ Garden borders
• ✓ Foundation plantings
• ✓ Commercial landscaping
• ✓ Contrast beds

Decomposed Granite

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Landscaping
• ✓ Driveways
• ✓ Dog runs
• ✓ Bocce courts

Black Shredded Mulch

• + Bold black color creates striking contrast with plants
• + Holds color longer than natural brown mulch
• + Retains soil moisture reducing watering
• + Suppresses weed growth naturally
• + Insulates soil temperature

• − Dye can temporarily stain hands, concrete, and clothing
• − Needs replenishing every 1-2 years as it decomposes
• − Can attract termites if placed against structures
• − Fades to dark gray over time
• − Slightly more expensive than undyed mulch

Decomposed Granite

• + Natural gold and tan look that fits Western landscapes
• + Compacts into a firm, walkable surface
• + Cheap at $25 to $45 per ton loose
• + Permeable, counts as pervious surface in many codes
• + Easy to install with a plate compactor

• − Loose DG tracks into the house and erodes in rain
• − Stabilizer adds $10 to $30 per ton
• − Needs edging or it spreads
• − Poor in freeze-thaw climates
• − Muddy when saturated

Black Shredded Mulch

Shredded strips of bark and wood, typically 1-4 inches long, dyed with carbon-based black colorant. The dye is non-toxic and safe for plants and pets. Double-shredded black mulch mats together better and resists displacement.

Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is a mix of sand-sized particles and small granite chips, usually 1/4 inch minus, sometimes 3/8 inch minus. Colors run gold, tan, buff, gray, brown, and rose depending on the quarry. Gold and tan are the standard California and Arizona look. Sold loose, or stabilized with a binder that is mixed in dry or applied as a liquid.