This new gardening trend is saving homeowners both cash and time.

According to Yahoo News, "A growing number of gardeners are planting “green mulches” instead of hauling mulch into their yards, which has numerous benefits for gardeners and the environment.

"According to The Berkshire Eagle, rather than bringing in numerous bags of bark or “shredded and dyed wood,” gardeners can fill the bare soil in their gardens with perennial plants.

"This can offer the same benefits as the more commonly used non-living mulches and comes with additional perks.

"According to ecological gardening expert Larry Weaner, people can create landscapes that reinforce local ecosystems and benefit wildlife."

Read more about green-mulching.