Re: Mulch
- Subject: Re: Mulch
- From: M* D* G*
- Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 12:46:29 -0500
From: "Michael D. Greenfield" <redear@infinet.com>
It seems to me if you are going to mulch or not should be based on your
goal.
Most mulches are put down to hold moisture and reduce weeds, with a extra
(depends on what type) plus of adding organic material to the soil.
Sand mulch reduces weeds, holds no moisture, Helps with ground heave in
winter, holds down newly planted iris and if you have clay soil will help
loosen it up after a few years. Unlike organic material sand will hang
around a long time. With enough sand you no longer have clay soil you have
sandy soil.
I learned about sand from Earl Hall ( Little Show Off Hall). I have been
using it three years. I was using it before I met John Bruce( can't blame
it on him).
The negatives of sand. How long before you have too much sand? The cats
sure do like my iris beds. So do the Squirrels.
Planted close to 200 iris this year. used sand .
lost one rhizome, rot damage on 5 others. We had a hot dry spell after
planting then a lot of rain in a short time.
Been there done that and gona do it again
Michael D. Greenfield
redear@infinet.com
Middletown, OH
AIS MVIS zone 5/6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, or to change your subscription
to digest, go to the ONElist web site, at http://www.onelist.com and
select the User Center link from the menu bar on the left.
