first.. define the difference between COMPOST and MULCH ... most cities offer compost.. not so sure about mulch ... and they have much different functions ...

it would help to know where you are ...

straw doenst last very long .. so you will be reapplying it often ... maybe twice a season ...

mulch is used.. to cool soil ... retain moisture ... and keep the idiot with the weedwhacker away from prized possessions ... thats me at my house.. lol

compost is more of a soil amendment to make the soil better ... though it can be used as a mulch.. it may not cool the soil.. and retain the wetness as a good mulch will ...

so which does your city provide????

it really doesnt matter what you use.. if it accomplishes the goals you set ... so what are your goals ...

ken

Here is a Link that is very informative and covers different common types and their pros and cons. Short Clip

If you can get wood chips from whatever company contracts out for the electric company's line clearance operation, that will be useful and inexpensive. Some people want mulch to add color to the scene, using dyed products and what not, but it all fades and ends up looking about the same in time. I go for whatever is cheap and easy to get to. Just regular woodchips have met both those requirements for me. Shredded hardwood bark is also easy to come by around here, with all the paper mills and sawmills in the region. It does look great at first, but it too fades. I see no single product offering one bit of advantage over woodchips.

+oM

I saw longtee's clip and agree with it mostly. One thing about the mulch with red dye, IT IS UGLY and unnatural.

I would encourage the OP to seek out a compost facility like ours in this pic. Homeowners bring in unwanted brush & grass clippings. As they leave they can load up either compost or mulch for free. Large quantities are available for a fee. I use alot of compost, I even use it for mulch. It contains no sewage. All weed seeds and microorganisms are "cooked" out. See the steam from the unfinished windrows in the back. That is really good stuff.