Mulch

I am not sure that I am in the right forum but does anyone know if pine shavings are good mulch? Any suggestions including another forum to try would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck

Almost anything is good mulch as long as you observe the general rules:
- don't pile it too high or too near the base of the plant
- if it isn't aged (decomposed) it will steal nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes, so you should add some extra nitrogen to compensate
- acidic mulches will break down to a neutral pH, but will acidify the soil briefly during the decomposition process.
-mulching does more in the spring/summer, as it helps keep soil moist during our dry season. Spreading it in the winter doesn't help as much, unless you are in a frost area and need to protect tender plants or shrubs.

Good luck! Mulching is a part of good gardening practices.

Thanks, jkom51,

I laid a two inch layer of potting soil and a nitrogen rich commercial fertilizer. I worked these into the top foot of soil. Then after there was new growth on the annuals, I applied the pine shavings. I hope this works...

I tried the same thing with newly planted perennials today. I will apply the pine shavings once there is new growth. I am learning all the time about mulch and mulching all the time.

Question: When the plants are small, how do you keep the mulch from covering the soil around them?

Thanks again,

Chuck

Don't mulch until the plants get at least 6" high, or use a thinner layer of a finer mulch, like cocoa hull.

Thanks jkom51,

Yesterday I removed the sawdust mulch a little ways away from my newly planted annuals. On the perennials, do I go all the way to the dripline or what?

I really appreciate you sharing this info with me. I have never really understood the principles of mulching other than a garden group I used to belong to said never leave any soil between plants uncovered.

Thanks again,

Chuck

Dear JKom51,

You are so lucky to have unlimited water during winter. We are always trying to look for ways to save on water here in Riverside County. Our water company suggests that we mulch all year around. In the front yard, I applied shredded bark as mulch. Does this still require nitrogen?

Thanks,

Chuck