The mulch works well in beds orfilled with plants that tolerate rocky, sandy soil. Some municipalities offer recycled glass mulch to the public free of charge. Let's learn more about using glass mulch in the landscape..
Generally speaking, it is one of the gardener's most prized tools, but on occasion you may incur mulch problems in the garden. Conversely, using mulch in the garden too deeply may also do the reverse and allow the soil to become sodden, contributing toAn...
“Be sure to water it well when planting it.” I say this phrase several times a day to my garden center customers. If there is more than one inch of rainfall in your area, you do not need to water that day.The second week, you can wean the plant by...
Not only does it increase percolation but it creates a network of needles that help hold down erosion and protect unstable areas.Additionally, it breaks down slower than bark materials, which means its benefits last longer.
You can use the three-bin system, a composter or simply a pile of leaves. Once dry, use a lawn mower to chop them into little pieces. Using leaf litter for mulch enriches the soil and perpetuates the cycle of life by renewing plants.So exactly how is...
It's not an obvious choice because it is soft, dense, and spongy. Push seeds and starters right into the hay and watch them grow.Mulching your garden with hay using this method may require a large quantity, but you won't need to add the same amount year...
Bury the edges with soil or hold them down with stakes, rocks, etc. Even cost doesn't have to be a factor since you can make them cheaply out of aluminum foil and cardboard that has been painted white.To use reflective mulch, first remove any weeds from...
A 2- to 4-inch layer of corn cobs will prevent the soil from becoming too dry during the winter. Read on for information about using corn cobs as mulch.Ground corn cobs are highly resistant to compaction, so the mulch remains loose even if your garden...
That funny-looking hose is one of the best gardening investments you can make.If a soaker hose looks a little like a car tire, that's because most soaker hoses are constructed from recycled tires.
The depth of the color depends upon what part of the tree the mulch comes from and the length of the aging process.freestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1"); });Poison hemlock is a bushy plant that grows wild along...
One to 2 inches of water per week is recommended for most lawns and gardens. An automatic type of rain gauge that registers inside the home is perfect for the hi-tech gardener, but most types of rain gauges are fairly simple devices that are mounted on...
To help them break down more rapidly, it's a good idea to crush them with a hammer beforeKeep in mind that all nut hulls take some time to break down. Juglone concentrations are highest in walnut buds, nut hulls and roots but are also found in lesser...
Cypress garden mulch is an organic mulch made from pond cypress trees (freestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1"); });Cypress garden mulch is generally less expensive than many other organic mulches, and adds nutrients...
A variety ofare suitable winter mulch protection, including straw, pine needles, bark and chopped corn cobs.freestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1"); });Winter mulching is just that — it's to protect your plants...
Some plants love acid soil. Grass in a garden is a weed, and that hay is just chock full of the seeds of its kind, plus some other weeds that may have gotten bundled up with it. It isn't as good as hardwood bark mulch, but it isn't as expensive either.
When purchasing plants, you've probably been told to water the root zone well. As plants root and grow, the roots spread out toward this drip line in search of the water that runs off the plant.In established plants, this drip line area of the root zone...
The mulch will trap the moisture and keep it in the soil much longer. A layer measuring 1 to 3 inches is recommended.Although lucerne hay is usually seedless, it may contain seeds, including pesky weed seeds, which can get a foothold in your garden.Don't...
(There's one in Upstate New York that I know, from personal experience, sells as far afield as Rhode Island).Mulching with buckwheat hulls is very effective. Is often the best choice.
In recent years, coir has become widely used by gardeners as a mulch, soil amendment and potting soil ingredient.– Coir mulch is a renewable resource, unlike peat moss, which comes from non-renewable, diminishing peat bogs.
Homeowners with dogs should stay clear of this type of mulch and seek a less toxic alternative. The chief concern with rubber mulch is the same as other hardwood mulches: choking.Tips for Mulch Application Issues When You Have PetsIf you have pets and...
This allows time for the materials you use to start breaking down, and microorganisms and worms to move in.freestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1"); });To create a deep mulch bed, first select the site; remember,...
Dog owners need to beware when using cocoa shell mulch that the shells do contain varying amounts of two compounds that are toxic to dogs: caffeine and theobromine.The sweet smell of the cocoa mulch is attractive to curious dogs and could be potentially...
Our grandmothers dipped their water from the barrels at the side of their house to water their vegetable patch. This water must be chemically treated to make it safe for drinking. Most home gardeners see a rise in their water bill during the summer gardening...
This happens when weed seeds are buried in the soil or are distributed by birds or wind. However, mulch works best when used as part of a multi-pronged approach along withfreestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1");...
It keeps plant roots warm in winter and cool in summer. It does, however, make aAdditionally, although most types of inorganic mulches tend to be fire-resistant, rubber mulch is highly combustible and burns at a very high temperature.
With the high emphasis on recycling, many people have turned to using synthetic mulch for their gardens.There is a bit of debate concerning the pros and cons of synthetic mulch, which will be highlighted here.
Pine will break down quickly while cedar may take years.You can use either chipped wood or bark mulch with confidence, knowing that you are helping your garden and the environment.
