Beginner Gardening: Is one color of mulch better than another? , 1 by Twincol

Twincol wrote:
Aaah, Venice, difficult indeed, LOL. I love hearing your ideas. And there's more to the story and my landscape planning work. I don't want to hijack this wonderful thread so invite you to take a look at my ongoing work, if you'd like.

I've already started some of the hardscape you describe. You can see it at http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/899514/#new

As for planting under the tree I've several concerns, all of them related to encouraging the roots of this aging tree to rise to the surface. Probably 10 years ago I had an arborist come out and take a look at "her." I was told that she's already gaining water from the water table. And when I actually did cover the area in a grass the need to water was relentless. The tree's roots are absolutely hairy and suck up all the moisture.

I've planted Star Jasmine, which should "burst forth" next spring. And the pavers? Aaah, a long story >> short >> old clay pavers from a locally-owned history-maker in this area, now out of business several years ago following the man's passing. A couple living probably a quarter mile from me gave them to me just for the taking >> 600+ square feet. They are un-fixed clay, which makes them relatively fragile, but what needs to be done is what I should have planned on in the beginning . . . they need to be laid on a very thick layer of sand to protect them. What I've laid in a side walkway on top of the ground has already resulted in several of them cracking/breaking. My parents had a home about another 1/4 mile from this family made with large, heavy clay bricks from this maker. I used to tease my father that his house was going to melt when it rained heavily, LOL. In fact, many many years ago a house actually did melt and collapse in a heavy rain with some flooding from the canal nearby. Quite a story.

Take a look at my thread if you'd like. You'll see the work I'm doing. It starts at http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=5505554

BTW, the photo attached is of my backyard patio. I just laid out some more bark/ground cover. So I went to look at the sack they came in and the only identification other than the maker's web site url is that the material is "forest product." Not very descriptive, is it? But what I do and has helped to keep the weed population down is lay the larger size nuggets on the pictured right side of the walkway and they smaller size on the left. No weeds when I stay on top of changing it every couple of years. If an area is not covered, weeds proliferate. I'd call it red and always figured it was just redwood bark. And it's a nice warm color. I'll go check out the composition.

BTW, this now-60-YO woman spent an entire summer covering the non-patio area by mixing, pouring, setting, and sometimes pressing a decorative leaf or dog paw into the top of the paver. A lot of work, but it's a job with an outcome I am quite proud of.

Some great ideas from you and your advisers, thanks so much.

Linda and The MopTops