When the plants were very small, and the mulch was new, it was ok, because it was early and it was the only color besides green out back, but as the plants grew, the less and less I liked the mulch. I don't even like the texture.
This message was edited Aug 8, 2009 3:20 PM
another
I'm not stressing it because, in a couple years it will be faded and, and new mixed in m alot of it probably won't even be visible
I can understand if you only had green in your yard and wanting some color. The red looks a little chunky. Your lilies look very nice. One of these days that whole area will be filled with lilies. That coneflower sure has long stems. Mine didn't survive very well.
Just by chance I got this Softscape mulch that is so easy to put down and around my little plants. It is just what I needed.
I found this info about cypress mulch. I knew there was an environmental concern about using it but never quite understood it.
The Virgin Cypress trees are related to the Sequoia and the Redwood and can live to be over 1000 years old. We shall never see a forest of virgin cypress in our lifetime. Most of the trees are only about 100 years old and are what grew back after the logging days. There are just a few trees that survive when seeds are planted now.
Only a few of them remain and the ones that were left only because they were hollow and weren't worth cutting down. Many different types of wildlife use these trees. The Bald Eagles build their nest on their tops, the wood ducks, barred owls and many other birds nest in the holes. Raccoons and other critters take shelter in them and black bears hibernate in them.
Many mulch manufacturers say that they only use what is left from cypress lumber. But they have been observed using only the whole tree. Also, cypress mulch has been labeled as a different type of mulch in order to sell it.
Wal-Mart has decided to stop selling cypress mulch from Louisiana January 1, 2008. This is a huge step toward saving our cypress forest for future generations, wildlife, as well as our protection from hurricanes as a storm barrier on the Gulf Coast.
I think it was about time Wal-mart showed some enviromental conscienceness. (hope I spelled that right, LOL.
I try never to use cypress, then again, how would a person know, if it were labeled improperly?
I bought the red because it was much cheaper, and I needed a huge amount. I will not do that again. I thought the chunky might help with the weed dilemma I was having , but it has been quite the opposite. I think I should have used something much finer.
should have would have. Oh well , lesson learned.
Hmmmm, this gr8 thread reminded me and got me to thinking about a sack of "mulch" I have awaiting a "spread-around." I actually requested it from a friend who has a bunch of pine trees on her property. I thought it might be a good ground cover, rather than mulch, as I understand it doesn't decompose in the sense that bark mulch does.
I have two options where I thought it would be helpful. The photo attached shows one option; the length of a wire fence upon which I've loaded Star Jasmine to provide something of a visual architectural barrier from the street corner. I thought it would provide an attractive ground cover under a 50-or-so yo Fruitless Mulberry tree, under which little will grow due to the dry soil and the sun reaches seldom.
The other option would be to simply use it on the surface of the bed opposite the fencing/tree you see here. I have some 20 YO azaleas, sadly neglected over the past 6 years as I struggled with my cancer recovery and lacked the energy to keep up with the entire yard. But they're still alive and flowering and I think that with encouragement they'll "blossom," as it were, ultimately.
The next pic is of the contents of one of the sacks of material.
What'cha think, guys'n gals? Any wisdom?
Linda and The MopTops
Here's a pic of the pine needles'n such.
Linda
I am just going to throw out ideas and maybe it will stimulate more ideas from others.
First of all, you have a difficult area, as you already know.
If you use that mulch under your tree on the other side of the fence, I would think something to define that space from the street would look good, like one row of large stones, pavers, brick, etc.
Have you thought about using a ground cover that grows in the shade? You could make a path with pavers or brick and then alternating areas of that mulch and different ground covers that grow in the shade. That would break up the space a little. You could use that idea around your tree also. Also there are some vines that could grow on your fence until your plants and bushes flourish.
I am sure some of you out there can give her some suggestions also.
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
Well! All what you have already planned is overwhelming! Am I right in saying that your biggest concerns are your tree and your soil? Your ideas are great! It seems like you are getting very good info over on Landscaping from your CA and UK friends. I would say you are on the right track! Good luck!!!!
Thanks, Venice. It's a big job, but I've spent last 15 years working on the two rear yards (divided by a driveway into the garage) to bring them into line with my first loves; roses and garden rooms. The front yard was a mass of bermuda grass from the 1950's and bland shrubs at the house foundation. It's been my last frontier, as it were. It took a trip 6 years ago to England and my family's home in Cirencester to help me crystallize my ideas. And as a corner lot with its unique consideratins, it's required considerable thought for this novice gardener. I would welcome any ideas you might have.
BTW, I went out to the Scotts.com web site to learn about my "bark." Perhaps it's bark is worse than it's bite. There's a total absence of any description of the materials. Such lack of information always makes me suspicious, given today's environmental concerns. Phooey! This thread has helped me pay more attention. Thanks to all for that.
Linda and The MopTops
You are right to question your "mulch." Tree mulch is usually shredded pieces of similar size, material, and color with selection based on appearance. In my opinion, what you have appears to be more like tree leftovers or trash. I think you would be happier without it than with it!
I have been on our condo's landscape committee and have learned a lot. Our mulch certainly isn't made of shredded bark. It's wood, and if the pile sits too long in the rain the color washes off! I suspect they shred the trees from winter pruning and put them back as mulch. I have heard of landscapers who shred old pallets, dye them, and sell them as "red mulch". It's a blind item.
I just leave my shredded leaves. They keep most of the weeds down.
Incidentally, I love the idea of using pine needles under pine trees. (my ex used to rake them all out so he could preserve his worshipped green lawn. Pah!) As a child I lived in the city and my idea of bliss was a pine grove floor to have a picnic on. There is nothing like that smell. I think your acid-loving azaleas would thrive with pine-needle mulch.
Mulch should give your garden a tidy look.
This is a good site showing the different types of mulch. Even though they service the eastern US, their photos are good. Look under "Products."
http://www.mulchmfg.com/
I agree pine needles look great around pine trees and plants, especially the long needles. When I was in SC, I saw a lot of that.
Linda, from what I saw in your photo, it looked like you had bare twigs, some twigs with a few short needles, a little bark, some leaves, and something that looks like moss. Perhaps that is only what is on the top of your bag and maybe it is different under that.
This message was edited Aug 9, 2009 8:40 AM
I love pine needles too, unfortunately my pine trees are babies like everything else in my yard lol so it will be a while!
Except for your boulders! Pretty big babies! lol
yup, those babies are big 'uns
Can't wait to see how you use them! Take some photos when you move them so we can see how you did it. Wow, what a job!
I know, I have to walk around & look & think....I want one or two near the pine trees and I got some great ideas from someone on the mint thread (that super long thread on plant ID). I put pics there too.
Where is that mint thread anyway? I have been on the slug site!
"need help to identity this plant" on the plant ID thread, it has over 1300 posts, come on over & say hello!
Quiltjean, our local City street tree maintenance folks actually sell shredded wood from their "product" once it dries some. Sell, not give! Bummer.
Venice, good pics at your site. Thanks.
Linda
Linda -- I found someone giving away mulch on freecycle last year. However, when I got there most was chopped up wood pieces of all different sizes with some trash! You sure don't want any of that either. Maybe that would look good somewhere, but around my little flowers it would look very coarse and chunky. I think it would hurt my flowers also just trying to put it down!
Venice, I am purchasing bagged "walk-on bark" from an upscale nursery in town. I would have expected that the product would be an appropriate product for its intended purpose and the price. It would seem that it was not. With the information and advice from y'all, I'll be more informed next time I purchase material. And . . . I'll do research in advance.
Keep in mind that the product I purchased was only intended to be used around the cement walkway and not to snuggle up to plants. Moreover, I purchased the lighter material, more finely ground/shredded, for the bed side of the walkway. Thus, what I expected was same color, same product with a different shred, and appropriate for my setting. The purchase met all the aforementioned criteria, except . . . . Next time I will know what to look for to refine my purchase.
Y'all are awesome-full of information.
Linda
freshly cut wood ties up a tremendous amount of nitrogen from the soil if it's mixed in the soil or used as a mulch. It should be thoroughly composted before using it as a mulch. It doesn't matter if it's been ground into sawdust- the same principle applies.
I found this info on the Internet but several sites said basically the same thing.
Will mulch deplete soil nitrogen?
Generally mulch does not decrease soil nitrogen. When organic mulch is applied over the soil surface, there is no evidence in numerous studies that the mulch will significantly deplete soil nitrogen levels.
However, if organic mulch, especially mulch with a high carbon to nitrogen ration such as sawdust, straw or ground wood pallets is mixed into the soil, nitrogen levels can be depleted temporarily while the organic material decomposes. The time could be several weeks to several months or more depending on soil temperatures and the geographic location of the tree. Organic matter decomposes faster in warmer climates. Then the tied-up nitrogen used in the decomposition process is returned to the soil.
Twincol, question. Would you be offended in any way if the hubby and myself copy your pavers?? I am thrilled to see someone who has done this and it turned out so beautifully!
We had tossed around the idea of making stepping stones and making a path, but I think you pavers look so much nicer.
We switched to pine bark mulch (not pine bark nuggets). I like to get as fine a mulch as I can find; pine bark fines are great. I also like the look of the plants against the mulch, really makes them pop!
No rock, no plastic, no colored mulches for me, although DH likes to use the landscape fabric (which I hate).
Here's Tulipa `Negrita' against the pine bark mulch this spring:
Crashbandiscoot, I'd be thrilled to have encouraged another to follow his/her own heart-felt creativity, girl! Please feel free. I'll send you an email with some little details I learned over time with my project. You might find some of them helpful; you might not. But at least I've passed my hard-earned lessons along. BTW, I just checked out my "signature paver" and learned what my memory forgot; I completed this in October, 2000. I was 52 years old the summer I laid this out. Not bad for a senior, eh? Whew! Summers get hot here, though, and I was truly afraid I might not finish it, as it was one of our hotter summers and our temps can run 5-6 weeks at near-100+ in a hot summer.
I just went back through the thread to make sure I hadn't missed something. I did. DP72, your post made me chuckle. Thanks!
Venice, here's a better, I hope, photo of my pine needles/trash. I like the look to snuggle up to the fence on the inside until I figure out what else to do with that space. It'll just be a transition from the fencing fabric to the bare dirt to the pavers. And I hope it will help to keep the soil from moving downhill. And If I decide to do so, I can just rake it up next spring after I remove the Fruitless Mulberry leaves I'll leave down through the rainy season to initiate decomp and protect from weeds.
I'm off to bed. Up too late last night.
Linda and The MopTops
You rock Twincol!!!! Thanks.
Hem, your tulips are beautiful!
I think your pine mulch beds will give a forest look and be really nice to fill in areas. All the materials in it are consistent rather than chucks here and there, and those little pine cones are cute. Can't wait to see it.
It's a good idea to stray away from dyed mulches. Although many are probably safe there's no way to know for sure. the dyed mulch business has been caught using construction waste for the product, no all wood and not all safe either. People have been poisoned by the mulch they buy. Stick with natural, untreated mulches to be certain what you have is a safe product. I've seen piles of bright red mulch at condo sites that upon inspection you could see the lumber marks form the ends of the framing lumber still on the larger pieces in the pile. Who knows what else they put in there and kiln dried lumber will acidify the soil and and draw the nitrogen out of the soil as it decomposes even if no toxins are present. It's how the natural composting process works. Natural mulch made from untreated bark from trees breaks down much faster and doesn't cause these problems.
Pure pine mulches or pine/spruce mulches are best for acid loving plants like blueberries and azaleas etc. although they accept any type of mulch you use.
If you really like the color schemes for landscaping try using stone mulches made from washed stone from 3/8 to 1 inch. See what colors are available in your area. Stone mulches don't need replenishing every year. all you need to do is clean out the beds once and while.
Crowding plants together and using ground cover plants can eliminate the need for mulches too and save you a lot of money. You can vary these techniques through out the landscape and come up with some beautiful textures and colors.
I suppose it's also based on where you purchase your mulch. I buy from HD and have always bought red-dyed mulch and have never had problems with it. It's always been real wood. You can tell by the look and the smell of it.
dirtworks, that's a good point, it isn't that long ago that wood was being treated with arsenic & I wouldn't be surprised if some of that ended up as mulch.
Crash: Thanks. They really did perform well this spring, so I will add more.
Angie
I do not know anything about colored mulch except that I would never buy it. What is wrong with natural mulch? I pick mulch based on what good it can do, not by color. As for rubber mulch OMG how can that be good for soil, soil critters or ultimately plants. Sorry to sound so mean but if seems odd to worry about mulch color. It's all about the plants...
I've enjoyed all the beautiful pictures in this thread your plants look great!! I have a delimma that maybe some of you can relate to. I jumped the gun and paid 300 bucks to have mulch brought in for a long bank in my yard. Dummy me didn't put down landscape fabric so there fore the weeds are taking over again. I'm afraid to use weed killer as I have lots of stuff planted that I don't want to see die. Any suggestions?
I guess you have to pull your weeds! Maybe someone else has a solution for you. The mulch should prevent some weeds. Fortunately, I bought the golden mulch and the weeds show up well so it is easy to see and pull them.
By the way, will the mulch be washed down your bank?
