Re: CULT:TB: Iris Mulch

From: Irisborer@aol.com

The question was raised regarding cocoa hulls as a mulch for iris.  And it 
was reported that cocoa hulls can "felt" and were not desirable.

So here's the other side of the story.

I've been using cocoa hulls in my garden for about 7 years now.... I love the 
color, love the smell, and love what they do for the soil.  The Stately Guest 
Estates are perched on a large glob of clay......  I'm convinced you could 
throw a pot in my garden in the spring.... and you need a pick to get into 
the soil in July when it's dried out.

Anyway....

This is what I've learned about cocoa hulls...... you don't want to just lay 
them on top of the ground - they will mat and they will mold .... and 
although the situation is temporary, it's not why you have a mulch.

I find that by incorporating the hulls in the top 3 inches or so of my garden 
 (using a claw or my Mantis if there's room), the hulls will lighten up that 
clay better than anything else I've used.  Then I sprinkle a light dusting 
over the top of the ground for appearances... and water it down.  No mold, no 
problem.

Now... it should be said that this is a useless mulch for water retention 
.... and for weed control.  But for being a soil amendment and making it look 
like you have this Hershey's chocolate-colored soil.... it rules!

I DID mulch one bed of TB's this year..... just to see what would happen.  I 
have also been taught 1)  never mulch bearded irises and 2)  never use manure 
on bearded irises

Well, the TB's I mulched with the cocoa hulls did fine.  Not that it 
transformed me into a GOOD iris grower, you understand.... but it did seem to 
keep the rot problem at bay in that bed.  

And while I was in England, I visited the iris trial gardens at Wisley where 
they prepared each iris bed with 6 inches of manure.... I asked about the 
advisability of this practice.  My answer was something like "rubbish", the 
irises need the boost.  BUT, it should be noted that they have grown irises 
in the same beds for many, many years, so the soil may be considerably 
depleted to begin with... .and there was a fair amount of leafspot as well.

So..... today my stepdaughter gets married and I'm trying to think about 
anything BUT.  What other topics can we divert my attention with????  Anyone 
got any JI's in bloom????   Anyone going to the JI convention in Portland???  
Anyone know any good jokes??  Recipes??  Amazing facts??

Kathyguest in East Aurora, NY where it's going to be a beeeeeeutiful day!

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