Mulch

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Iluvposies Republic, PA(Zone 6a) May 21, 2009

Okay, I need some help! I do not want to spend 300. for the amount of mulch I will need for the flower beds I just put in. I got 2 truckloads from the municipal mulch pile. It isn't pretty like the uniform, dyed brown mulch I paid 30 dollars for a cubic yard, is. It has some short small branches I can pick out, and the good Lord only knows what else there is in there, but I figure it should do the job. I thought I could top dress it with the pretty stuff but rely on the free stuff for the depth. Is this wrong thinking? Some input would be appreciated. Thanks
Melinda

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Iluvposies Republic, PA(Zone 6a) May 21, 2009

heres what it s like

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mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) May 21, 2009

I think you made the right choice for your circumstances. Good thinking! Mulch is mulch - it's there to do a job. If you're like me, you'll notice that most of it ages and weathers to the same boring gray-brown color over time anyway. 3 to 6 inches of utilitarian mulch is FAR better for your garden than 1" of pretty dyed mulch that won't conserve water or leach nutrients.

I'd hold off on topdressing it until you see how it looks when it's all down. It might not make that big a difference in the overall appearance and you will just waste your money.

One trick many of us use on large beds is to put down newspaper over new planting areas. Once several layers are in place, wet them down well and then put whatever type of mulch you want on top. The paper will decompose over time and allow you to use less purchased mulch at first.

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Iluvposies Republic, PA(Zone 6a) May 21, 2009

mocatmom,
thank you. I love this site!!!

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