Mulch question

[Stevetoad]

is there any type of mulch that would be harmful to my palms? i didnt know if some types of trees contain oils or something that could kill plants. i though i heard something about eucalyptus being bad but i could be mistaken.

[MattyB]

I've heard that Eucalyptus is bad too, due to growth inhibiting oils, but I've still used it. I'm sure that a good portion of the compost and mulch that you get at the Miramar Landfill has Eucalyptus in it, and that stuff if great.....but it's been composted. I'd like to hear more on this also, especially from the Aussies. Good topic Steve.

[Jastin]

I've been told to not use mulch from palm leaves because it doesn't break down. I have a canopy Euc. In my back yard that dumps leaves on all my palms and I haven't seen any issues. The biggest issue with Euc. is root comp and water uptake from them I think. I dont think using mulch derived from lumber is good because of the chemicals in them and because it robs nitrogen from the soil. I've always used any free mulch I could get my hands on an it's been great.

[Walter John]

  On 7/2/2012 at 4:39 PM, MattyB said:

I've heard that Eucalyptus is bad too, due to growth inhibiting oils, but I've still used it. I'm sure that a good portion of the compost and mulch that you get at the Miramar Landfill has Eucalyptus in it, and that stuff if great.....but it's been composted. I'd like to hear more on this also, especially from the Aussies. Good topic Steve.

Interesting thoughts Matty, eucalyptus leaves only might be ok. Requires further investigation. Kris from Nth NSW please chime in.

[Stevetoad]

or maybe eucs are a wonder mulch and just keep weeds from growing (i could only wish)

[MattyB]

As usual I refuse to follow the rules and I just put a heavy layer of fresh eucalyptus mulch on my front planter.

[Stevetoad]

You rebel

[TheMadScientist]

W E L L......Based on what I thought MattyB suggested was the ultimate....Oak Leaf Mulch....I spent the whole weekend sorting out old branches and twigs from 100 yr old oaks in the canyon below my house and hauling 12 rubbermaid trash containers of Oak Leaf Mulch up to some of my planters. I already love the new look compared to dry dirt. This is so much cheaper than a membership at the local gym. Thank You MattyB. Scott

[MattyB]

Looks great! Way better than bare dirt. Pogobob suggested the oak leaf mulch.

[Tropicgardener]

As a general mulchI use the stuff from the local tip which is basically just ground up tree waste dumped there.......works well for me and can contain just about anything and the best thing is that it is free !!!

I also like to use sugarcane mulch which is fantastic at promoting worm activity.

In regards to using palm material as mulch, I have no problems there, it actually breaks down quite quickly here.......I put my old fronds through the mulcher and the mulch from the tip usually contains a high proportion of shreaded palm fronds and trunks.......Eucalypt mulch as you would expect is quite common here and I have used it in the past will no ill effects. Nitrogen drawback can be a consequence of mulch use but adequate fertiliser counteracts that problem.

[Dypsisdean]

Here's some info from two different sources.

"Studies done by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida showed that all fresh mulches, regardless of tree species, have some plant toxicity effects for about the first three months. A separate study in the Australian Journal of Botany found that eucalyptus leaves and bark had plant toxicity effects for five."

"There are also a few pitfalls to watch out for with mulches. Fresh wood chips and barks can contains toxins such as tannins that will damage plants that they are applied around. The trick is to age such materials by leaving them in a pile for several months to allow the toxins to dissipate before they are used in the garden."

[ariscott]

I use fresh mulch too the past and mostly euc.. i never had any problem. You can ask people that have been to my place... Now I just use hay because I don't have access to cheap mulch anymore and hay is easier to spread.

[Eric F]

I've used coarse chopped & shredded coir as mulch in pots for several years. While I've never seen any resulting issues, I have always wondered if I would be better using something else.

I tried sugar cane mulch in my garden beds a few years back, but found that it shifted too much in the wind. How do you keep it in place?

[NApalm]

I got my latest batch of sugar cane mulch from a produce store not too far from your place Eric. They had multiple grades from fine to course (i assume as feed) and i just picked the largest sized pieces. Sure makes a mess in the back of your car though, but worth it ofcourse

Edited July 4, 2012 by NApalm

[Gonzer]

  On 7/3/2012 at 9:33 AM, Dypsisdean said:

Here's some info from two different sources.

"Studies done by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida showed that all fresh mulches, regardless of tree species, have some plant toxicity effects for about the first three months. A separate study in the Australian Journal of Botany found that eucalyptus leaves and bark had plant toxicity effects for five."

"There are also a few pitfalls to watch out for with mulches. Fresh wood chips and barks can contains toxins such as tannins that will damage plants that they are applied around. The trick is to age such materials by leaving them in a pile for several months to allow the toxins to dissipate before they are used in the garden."

The Great Oz has spoken!

These tips were the first thing I learned 40 years ago when I was introduced to mulching.

Well said Dean.

[Dypsisdean]

  On 7/4/2012 at 10:33 PM, Gonzer said:

  On 7/3/2012 at 9:33 AM, Dypsisdean said:

Here's some info from two different sources.

"Studies done by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida showed that all fresh mulches, regardless of tree species, have some plant toxicity effects for about the first three months. A separate study in the Australian Journal of Botany found that eucalyptus leaves and bark had plant toxicity effects for five."

"There are also a few pitfalls to watch out for with mulches. Fresh wood chips and barks can contains toxins such as tannins that will damage plants that they are applied around. The trick is to age such materials by leaving them in a pile for several months to allow the toxins to dissipate before they are used in the garden."

The Great Oz has spoken!

These tips were the first thing I learned 40 years ago when I was introduced to mulching.

Well said Dean.

I would like to take credit, but I only quoted. However, the message is one I agree with and wished to promote. And that is that the more aged a mulch the better.

But because I am such a proponent of a well mulched garden, I would suggest that even a fresh mulch is better than none - provided it is offset with some added nitrogen if it is super fresh. It will still keep the weeds down and moisture in the soil. But whenever possible, letting a mulch pile "cook" for a few months not only gets rid of any toxins and prevents nitrogen "robbery," it also kills many weed seeds, pests, and fungi.

[Eric F]

  On 7/4/2012 at 9:08 PM, NApalm said:

I got my latest batch of sugar cane mulch from a produce store not too far from your place Eric. They had multiple grades from fine to course (i assume as feed) and i just picked the largest sized pieces. Sure makes a mess in the back of your car though, but worth it ofcourse

I suspect that the cane mulch I tried was just the leaves since it was just like straw. Had it been the stalks, it probably would have stayed put better. I may have to give it another try.

[Daryl]

I've found it is always best to let wood based mulches 'cook' for a while. It is amazing the amount of heat that comes from a pile of freshly chipped tree. I think this destroys all of the oils and tannins pretty quickly.

As for sugar cane much, it is great for improving the soil, but doesn't last long. And the most important thing is don't breathe in the dust from cane mulch...always wear a mask...dangerous stuff. Also, throw out or burn any stems.

Daryl

[Tropicgardener]

  On 7/5/2012 at 8:51 AM, Eric F said:

  On 7/4/2012 at 9:08 PM, NApalm said:

I got my latest batch of sugar cane mulch from a produce store not too far from your place Eric. They had multiple grades from fine to course (i assume as feed) and i just picked the largest sized pieces. Sure makes a mess in the back of your car though, but worth it ofcourse

I suspect that the cane mulch I tried was just the leaves since it was just like straw. Had it been the stalks, it probably would have stayed put better. I may have to give it another try.

Just a word of caution with some cane mulch..........I used to get my fresh from cane farms in Bundaberg and as it is basically just the trash collected from the ground and bailed it quite often has weeds in it, nutgrass is one that is very common in it.........Now that I am not in a sugarcane area I buy the processed stuff (yes more expensive) but I don't have problems with weeds in it.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

  On 7/5/2012 at 9:45 AM, Daryl said:

And the most important thing is don't breathe in the dust from cane mulch...always wear a mask...dangerous stuff.

Daryl

This something that bothers me also. Mold dust from mulch is extremely irritating and can cause severe allergic reactions. Once someone gets an allergic reaction, that person is more likely to suffer reactions in the future, even from very minor exposure.

I always mulch and like to use tree trimming mulch, but get sick if I am forgetful or not careful. Sometimes a dust mask is not enough and you need a respirator mask with fresh filter cartridges.

[JimR]

On one occassion, I had a bad experience with cedar mulch. I do not know what was in it, but it hit the plant I put in around like poison. I do not think it was the mulch itself, but something it was infected with. Just the same, I have never used cedar mulch again.

[NApalm]

  On 7/5/2012 at 9:51 AM, Tropicgardener said:

  On 7/5/2012 at 8:51 AM, Eric F said:

  On 7/4/2012 at 9:08 PM, NApalm said:

I got my latest batch of sugar cane mulch from a produce store not too far from your place Eric. They had multiple grades from fine to course (i assume as feed) and i just picked the largest sized pieces. Sure makes a mess in the back of your car though, but worth it ofcourse

I suspect that the cane mulch I tried was just the leaves since it was just like straw. Had it been the stalks, it probably would have stayed put better. I may have to give it another try.

Just a word of caution with some cane mulch..........I used to get my fresh from cane farms in Bundaberg and as it is basically just the trash collected from the ground and bailed it quite often has weeds in it, nutgrass is one that is very common in it.........Now that I am not in a sugarcane area I buy the processed stuff (yes more expensive) but I don't have problems with weeds in it.

Cheers for the tip.

[malcthomas]

Wal-Ari

In one of your "Burke's Backyard" garden programes, he was asked the question about not using eucalyptus for mulch. He answered, "write down in your diary the name of the person who told you not to use eucalyptus for mulch, so you will know never to believe anything they say in the future".

I mulched up a lot of sugar cane one year...for the first couple of weeks there was a sweet smell to the garden before it turned to an overpowering vinegar odour which lasted for weeks..

[Tassie_Troy1971]

For mulch i use primarily peastraw as it doesn't rob the soli of Nitrogen .

Wood chips and fine pine bark didnt suit me as birds would kick it over pathways etc .