yardmonkey
12-19-2003, 08:48 PM
I just posted in a thread in the Landscaping Forum and thought it might be useful to post it here also. The subject is favorite mulches (for applying to shrub/flower beds). There were 20 or 30 posts before I got there and everyone is talking about bark mulch (or even rubber mulch!). So maybe we need an Organic Landscaping forum? Well, since the organicly oriented are over here and since this has to do with taking care of yards (and what to do with "lawn waste"), I decided to repeat the post here:
OK - my favorite mulch? I have three:
Shredded Leaves -
Instead of bagging and hauling off leaves, I prefer to shred them (I use my mower, but a chipper/shredder, blower/vac or Billy Goat might be even better) and use them on site as mulch. Sometimes I even bag the extra and leave it there to use later or take it away to use elsewhere. One of the best things you can do for the soil and earthworms love it. Many people just leave the leaves in beds as mulch but this is not so attractive and unshredded leaves take a while to break down plus they can mat up and kind of seal the ground up. Shredded leaves can be applied pretty thick and they can be attractive. Best of all - no cost.
Grass Clippings -
Another freebie. I usually mulch-mow, but it doesn't hurt to bag some now and then if needed for mulch. They say you need to dry the clippings first. A way around that is just don't put them on too thick. You can always add more. Another great soil builder and worm food. Excellent for keeping weeds down.
Compost -
Often said to be prohibitively expensive. Maybe, but where I live its free - from the municipal compost facility. But they don't screen it or grind it fine enough so there is a lot of wood chunks in it. So I have to screen it myself. Takes me an hour to screen a truckload. I made a screen to fit over the back of the truckbed (leftover 2"x4"s and a roll of 1/2" hardware cloth). I throw about 15 shovels onto it, then push it around with gloved hands, then flip the wood chunks over the side. Nice and black. Very attractive. Good for the soil.
Yes I use the standard cypress mulch (or cedar if requested) and that is quick and easy. And quite appropriate for a permanent shrub installation. But for really nice gardening/landscaping, I like to use the stuff that builds the soil. (yeah I'm one of those "organic" types)
OK - my favorite mulch? I have three:
Shredded Leaves -
Instead of bagging and hauling off leaves, I prefer to shred them (I use my mower, but a chipper/shredder, blower/vac or Billy Goat might be even better) and use them on site as mulch. Sometimes I even bag the extra and leave it there to use later or take it away to use elsewhere. One of the best things you can do for the soil and earthworms love it. Many people just leave the leaves in beds as mulch but this is not so attractive and unshredded leaves take a while to break down plus they can mat up and kind of seal the ground up. Shredded leaves can be applied pretty thick and they can be attractive. Best of all - no cost.
Grass Clippings -
Another freebie. I usually mulch-mow, but it doesn't hurt to bag some now and then if needed for mulch. They say you need to dry the clippings first. A way around that is just don't put them on too thick. You can always add more. Another great soil builder and worm food. Excellent for keeping weeds down.
Compost -
Often said to be prohibitively expensive. Maybe, but where I live its free - from the municipal compost facility. But they don't screen it or grind it fine enough so there is a lot of wood chunks in it. So I have to screen it myself. Takes me an hour to screen a truckload. I made a screen to fit over the back of the truckbed (leftover 2"x4"s and a roll of 1/2" hardware cloth). I throw about 15 shovels onto it, then push it around with gloved hands, then flip the wood chunks over the side. Nice and black. Very attractive. Good for the soil.
Yes I use the standard cypress mulch (or cedar if requested) and that is quick and easy. And quite appropriate for a permanent shrub installation. But for really nice gardening/landscaping, I like to use the stuff that builds the soil. (yeah I'm one of those "organic" types)