Re: mulch

And that's also leaving all the leaves in the beds where they fall and
raking the ones off the lawn between the tree and shrub lines to mulch
the cannas. And filling in thin spots just about all the time. But the
clay soil in the beds is amended nicely now, so that is a plus. It's
still *&^%$! black concrete in the yard though. It was murder getting
those stepping stones countersunk for the paths. Sure looks pretty
though. Will take a new round of pics once all the lavenders and
daylilies are in full bloom, another week or so.


Pam Evans
Kemp, TX
zone 8A
----- Original Message -----
From: Kitty
Sent: 5/11/2004 8:37:48 AM
To: gardenchat@hort.net
Subject: Re: [CHAT] mulch

> > Interesting so many of you use assorted mulches *because* they take a

> > long time to break down.

> Marge, I find Pinebark a happy medium for that.  It does break down and feed

> the soil, but not so rapidly that I'd replace it every 3 months like Pam.  I

> could never afford that!  Every spring I add to it and in fall I catch the

> thin spots.

> Kitty

> 

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: "Marge Talt" <mtalt@clubhouse-designs.com>

> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>

> Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 12:08 AM

> Subject: Re: [CHAT] mulch

> 

> 

> > > From: Kitty <kmrsy@comcast.net>

> > > Ooooooh!  Pine Bark Fines - love that stuff.

> > ----------

> >

> > Me, too, but not as a mulch...use it as an amendment and in making my

> > potting mix.  Wunnerful stuff!  I have to drive over to Virginia to

> > get my hands on it and it ain't real cheap, either.

> >

> > Interesting so many of you use assorted mulches *because* they take a

> > long time to break down.   I mulch with stuff I want to break down to

> > improve the soil.  Figure it ought to break down in a year...after a

> > season it isn't going to stop 'weeds' (whether Ma Nature's or my own

> > plants) from sprouting as seeds get blown into any mulch and

> > sprout....so, what's the point of having something that doesn't break

> > down???

> >

> > Auralie, I generally mulch with rotted wood chips or chopped leaves.

> > I'll used bagged fine pine bark when I am low on those or need to

> > mulch a bed fast and don't have time (or energy) for sifting wood

> > chips or chopping leaves.  I generally sift my chips to get the

> > bigger pieces out - use those on paths, but find them obtrusive in a

> > bed.

> >

> > Once plants start to grow and fill a bed,  I don't have to do much

> > mulching.  Ma Nature sort of takes care of it for me; just leave most

> > of the leaf fall there to rot away under the plants who hide it.

> >

> > Do think keeping ground covered with something organic is a very good

> > plan...feeds the soil critters; keeps the soil temperatures more

> > moderated; keeps the soil from compacting from the impact of rainfall

> > and makes it easier to pull whatever seeds into an area that you

> > don't want there.

> >

> > Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland

> > mtalt@hort.net

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