# Storing bagged mulch over winter **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 1, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658 "2016-09-01T14:20:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/1 "2016-09-01T14:20:16Z")
Home Depot has Scotts mulch on sale for $2 a bag. In the spring I am going to need about 30 bags. If bought at least some of it now (like 15-20 bags), and stored it in my garage, would there be any problem using it in the spring? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/2 "2016-09-01T15:43:41Z")
It should be fine. I’d poke some extra holes in the bags to let a little more moisture out (to prevent the innards from getting moldy), but otherwise you shouldn’t have any problem. . ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/3 "2016-09-01T15:48:50Z")
It’ll be fine. We have stockpiles of mulch that sit around exposed through the winter without any real ill effect (I guess the outside might break down a little but it gets blended when installed anyway). Poking a couple holes isn’t a bad idea but any moisture will likely dry out when you install it and it has a chance to sit around in the sun for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/4 "2016-09-01T15:50:43Z")
The same mulch will be on sale for the same price in the spring. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/5 "2016-09-01T16:08:08Z")
I would not poke any holes, your nitrogen content will stay higher if you keep it sealed. If it does get some mold it just breaks it down further. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/6 "2016-09-01T16:16:48Z")
I see the OP refers to “Scotts mulch” – is this just hardwood mulch under the Scotts name or some formulated blend with special fertilizer, etc? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/7 "2016-09-01T17:16:40Z")
I try not to store bags of mulch because snakes find them to be lovely homes. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/8 "2016-09-01T19:13:32Z")
We store mulch in plastic bags outside most winters. We get temps below freezing all the time and occasionally below 0F. It can get sodden or develop a bit of mold (most mulch bags are not water tight). The biggest problem is it’s a lot heavier to move if it’s wet. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/9 "2016-09-01T19:57:38Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I see the OP refers to “Scotts mulch” – is this just hardwood mulch under the Scotts name or some formulated blend with special fertilizer, etc? It might be a super-special dyed mulch or have other premium characteristics (like a guarantee that it will never contain decomposing body parts). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storing-bagged-mulch-over-winter/764658/10 "2016-09-01T20:53:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It might be a super-special dyed mulch or have other premium characteristics (like a guarantee that it will never contain decomposing body parts). Free blood and bone meal!