Re: mulch/alfalfa

Dave  --  As you have experienced, the fact that the pine straw (white pine
needles here) doesn't mat down is very beneficial.  I think the length and
stiffness of the needles contributes to that resilience.  Chopping them up
would, I think, give you a more packed-down mulch than you want.  --  Griff

----- Original Message -----
From: <DFerguson@cabq.gov>
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 5:43 PM
Subject: [iris] mulch/alfalfa


> Hi,
>
> I spent all my years growing Iris with no mulch other than perhaps some
> weeds.  I've learned in the last few years that for many of my Iris a
mulch
> really helps with some of the summer heat problems.  I've been using pine
> needles, because they are available, and they seem to work really nicely
> here in the desert.  They hold in some moisture, let in light, keep the
> weeds down a little bit, and seem to keep the soil a little cooler.  I've
> found that the Daylilies and some of the other perennials appreciate them
> too, even the Violets and Strawberries that come up where there is shade.
> Of course in the dry climate here, they are still just dry pine needles
> (prickly as ever), even after three years lying in a fairly well-watered
> bed.  I've thought about grinding them up (they are about 5 to 8 inches
> long), but haven't bothered to try yet.  Not sure if that would make them
> better, or worse.
>
>
> Dave
> central NM
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index