What type of mulch do you prefer?

[TikiRick]

What type of mulch do you and your palms prefer?

[Bilbo]

Once in a while I have used gravel - the type here is quite coarse - up to nearly a third of an inch.

Most are smaller.

I use them for drainage (Im on clay) as well as mulch and they do actually reflect sunlight to a slight extent to the lower canopies of the palms.

Regardez all

Juan

[Kamipalms]

Pine bark for me... cause it lasts

[Neofolis]

Pine bark for me too, because it's the closest thing, off the shelf, to how they would naturally mulch themselves in habitat, although I use the pruned dead foliage from the plants where possible.

[palmmermaid]

I use melaleucca and shavings from my horse stalls.  I don't use cypress because I don't want to contribute to the demise of the cypress groves left in Louisiana.  Melaleucca is made from the invasive trees here in south Florida and it doesn't float.  Only lasts about a year but that is about standard down here.

I think that red mulch is terrible and ugly.  Rubber - yech!  Pine bark floats away in our downpours.  I don't care for gravel except in rare cases such as a succulent garden or in areas of heavy traffic.  And then I like the brown gravel.

[Gileno Machado]

(Neofolis @ May 24 2007,11:05)

QUOTE

...although I use the pruned dead foliage from the plants where possible.

I do too, Corey, especially local dried Cashew and Mango leaves which help maintaining the topsoil humidity.

[Jeff Searle]

Because I am on 2 acres, I could not afford to buy cypress or anything else for that matter. I get free truckloads from the tree trimmers in my area, and it's free. It can be anywhere from oak, mahogany, ficus or others. It's always very clean with no big limbs or palm leaves.

Jeff

[ibreakforpalms]

I use about 4 inches or so of black mulch (oak and pine mix that is iron dyed) in the front of the house, outside of my fence.  Then I use about 6-7 inches of Horse manure (mostly wood shavings, some hay and balls of....well you know   ) everywhere else.  I find that the horse manure permeates water extremely well and is good for transforming our sandy soils into fertile worm heaven!  And the best part is that it's free (Well besides the work to spread it out in the landscape   )  !!!

[Kris]

I use Dried Neem leaves which fall during the summers.

this is used as top soil dressing and even when repoting

new plants i use this neem leaves mixed in the potting soil

or medium.

no pest or ants see after that !

Love,

Kris  

[redant]

(Jeff Searle @ May 24 2007,11:10)

QUOTE

Because I am on 2 acres, I could not afford to buy cypress or anything else for that matter. I get free truckloads from the tree trimmers in my area, and it's free. It can be anywhere from oak, mahogany, ficus or others. It's always very clean with no big limbs or palm leaves.

Jeff

On 2.5 acres, I wish I had a deal with the tree guys, I need someone to hook me up!. I buy what's cheapest as I have to buy so much of it. Turns out that is red dyed trash wood. Palms don't seem to mind. I agree about the cypress much, they are shredding the swamps for your garden!

[osideterry]

I go to Evergreen Nursery and a guy dumps a "yard" of mulch in the back of my Ford Ranger. I assumed it was redwood or cedar, but admit I've found particle board and pieces of 2x4s. Mostly good stuff. Costs about $15, and buries all of my planting beds 2-3 inches deep. I replenish every year, usually in June after I'm done planting.

[Scott]

So far, I've only used cocoa shell mulch. It's working good for me. It really hold the water in place, with minimul run off. It also breaks down into the soil, adding nutrients to an otherwise dead seeming clay soil. The only draw back is the top layers blow away when it's windy.

[Joe palma]

I use the same Evergreen nursery mulch that Terry is using. I agree w/ him that it is mostly good stuff but occansionally there are other items in there. I always wonder though, if there are items used (plant material) to make the mulch that contain fungus's. I had a bunch of mushrooms pop up last time (usually spread in April).

[LJG]

I use redwood bark. Great stuff. Once a year also.

Jeff, be careful doing that. These guys make no effort to assure there are no diseased plants thrown into the chipper.

[osideterry]

LJG and Joe palma: I've been tempted to try the free mulch at the Oceanside landfill (El Chorazon). My hesitation is that I myself contribute to that stuff! Wouldn't it include all the grab grass, bermuda grass, clover, milkweed, tiger eye, and mudgrass I throw away? Not to mention all the palm prunings I'm not supposed to throw in but do anyway.

[Palm Guy]

I like the look of bark the best however, I find it blows away in the wind easily. I prefer a mulch that compacts slightly so its easier to remove leaves that collect on top of it and also works better at preventing weeds from popping up. I also tend to like the brown and black color mulches because they tend to resemble natural soil. At least thats the color of the soil in my area.

Mike

[Daryl]

I use Tea-Tree mulch by choice, which is a by-product of our Tea-Tree Oil industry, and comes from the 'crop', is oil free and almost sterile. This mulch is great and really improves the soil, whilst never becoming water repellant. It also locks together so doesn't blow or float away. And it looks and smells pretty good too.

I also use 'forest mulch' which is simply mulched trees and other wood from the tree loppers and recycling yard. This is semi-composted to remove oils and other nasties first. It  also creates great soil, encourages earthworms and is not water repellant. It doesn't look quite so good as the tea-tree mulch though. Sometimes this has a lot of Queen palm trunk in it, and that is great stuff for the garden.

Daryl

[Joe palma]

Terry/Len - I have heard about that free mulch in O'side also, and have thought the same. Who knows what is in there? Diseased plant material, fungus and much more! It scares me to use the better stuff, let alone some that is free and quite questionable. I always wonder what is in it.

[DoomsDave]

Mostly I use pine bark, but I also use abscissed palm fronts and other plant debris.

When I committed the Great Ginger Genocide last year, I used the hacked off stems for mulch.

Mostly good, but some of the stems rooted . . . .

dave

[Alicehunter2000]

Eeegaaddd! I am the only one using red cypress mulch. I feel like a heel...... . Please don't beat me with a Phoenix frond! .......... I'm only doing what the wife wants. I tried pine straw before.........but it looks like crap.

[LJG]

(osideterry @ May 24 2007,13:36)

QUOTE

LJG and Joe palma: I've been tempted to try the free mulch at the Oceanside landfill (El Chorazon). My hesitation is that I myself contribute to that stuff! Wouldn't it include all the grab grass, bermuda grass, clover, milkweed, tiger eye, and mudgrass I throw away? Not to mention all the palm prunings I'm not supposed to throw in but do anyway.

Where do you think many of the dead and diseased palms and tress end up? This is where many of the tree removal places take Fusarium killed CIDPs for example. Also, your concern about the pain in the butt weeds is true too. I prefer to pay a little extra. Plus that free stuff looks free if you know what I mean. I like to use bark for design appeal too.

[eastern.nurseries]

I've been using blue carpet underlay, it works a treat, colour and texture

[Ntheastpalms]

I use Tea tree mulch & grass clippings from the lawn mixed together that have semi composted, It breaks down slowly & conditions my clay soils nicley.

Matt.

[junglegalfla]

Pine bark, looks most natural IMO. I use 8 bags of cypress on my pathways a year because it compacts & is easier to walk on. I don't care for the gray color it turns though.

Sorry David,

Put me in the group who thinks red dyed (or any dye for that matter) & rubber mulches are unnatural looking.

[Walter John]

(Alicehunter2000 @ May 25 2007,13:43)

QUOTE

Eeegaaddd! I am the only one using red cypress mulch. I feel like a heel...... . Please don't beat me with a Phoenix frond! .......... I'm only doing what the wife wants. I tried pine straw before.........but it looks like crap.

No you're not. I use red cypress mostly, but I also use sugar cane mulch and have tried tea tree mulch. All good and it's a wonder any of you have palm success with so many picks for pine bark. That's crap imo.

That'll stir the pot I'm sure.

[junglegalfla]

OK Wal, I'll bite.    Besides being a odd color & having pieces of wooden pallets in it, the dye runs. I bought a bag of the black dyed and my hands were black from laying it. I use mulch on paths and I have 12 furry paws running it it too. I had visions of what my kitchen floors would look like after a rain.  

As far as pine bark floating....it takes a monsoon to do that with the brand I use. My only beef w/ it, they are like little hockey pucks when my dogs run through the beds.

Pine bark isn't my favorite but I've yet to find another suitable alternative in bulk.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I use cypress because it is the cheapest bagged mulch I can get.  The red dyed stuff is recycled construction wood and I have used it in the past.  The dye fades but otherwise it lasts a year like the cypress.  The recycled stuff sometimes has UFOs in there like chemically treated wood (arsenic) so don't use it under your veggies.  My favorite mulch is from arborists tree chippers.  It does not last long so you have to spread it thickly (4"-12") but it is the best for improving your soil.  I am not too afraid of fungal diseases in the mulch as most fungus is everpresent anyway.  The fungus just needs a good opportunity to get a foot hold and that is generally not through the roots.  (Just keep the mulch from piling up against your trunks)  Whenever I prune something I chop it up and use it as mulch, usually under the tree I took it from.  After my son's skool's "Fall Festival" last year, they had several bales of hay to get rid of, as did the city after their Halloween events.  Two different types of hay, one sprouted and one didn't but they both made good mulch.  The Warden has a couple of pet rabbits that also contribute to my mulching efforts by giving me a couple of cubic feet of poop laden bedding every week.

David,

I have seen a local country club use pine straw on their trees and I thought it looked pretty good.  They only did it once so I guess it either cost too much or didn't perform well or someone there thought it looked like crap too.  Anyone know the cost comparison to bagged mulch vs baled pine straw?

Jerry

[palmsrgreat]

I use Scott's Naturescapes in Black. This stuff is doesn't lose it color and works really nicely. It's probably more expensive than the bulk but to me its worth it. I've also gotten Midnight mulch in bulk and that has held up pretty good.

[PalmTone]

I pick up horse manure from a local horse farm.

It works very well, especially with a 6-8" thick layer.

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Tea tree mulch is the best i have used by far

regards

colin

[Eric in Orlando]

Here at Leu Gardens we mostly use pine straw. Pine bark is used in a few places near the main building and in the rose garden. At home I use fallen leaves and needles. Southern Live Oak leaves make a great mulch.

[Brad-Tampa]

I agree with Eric, Live Oak leaves make great mulch and is not only free in our area but also is bagged and put out by our neighbors every spring during the oak leaf drop. I look for well maintained lawns with good oak canopy cover while I patrol the neighborhood the day before yard waste pickup day.

Brad

[Alicehunter2000]

Don't the oak leaves blow everywhere..........and what about the tannic acid staining?

[BS Man about Palms]

(LJG @ May 24 2007,23:21)

QUOTE

(osideterry @ May 24 2007,13:36)

QUOTE

LJG and Joe palma: I've been tempted to try the free mulch at the Oceanside landfill (El Chorazon). My hesitation is that I myself contribute to that stuff! Wouldn't it include all the grab grass, bermuda grass, clover, milkweed, tiger eye, and mudgrass I throw away? Not to mention all the palm prunings I'm not supposed to throw in but do anyway.

Where do you think many of the dead and diseased palms and tress end up? This is where many of the tree removal places take Fusarium killed CIDPs for example. Also, your concern about the pain in the butt weeds is true too. I prefer to pay a little extra. Plus that free stuff looks free if you know what I mean. I like to use bark for design appeal too.

I know there are different "grades" there, so they do some sorting.

Maybe I'm confusing mulch versus compost.

I got some about 2 years ago, not much, about  a trash cans worth. Nothing died, it all looked better...   ???

[palmarazzi]

i like to mix cypress with western red cedar but nothing beats the taco bell painted red stuff...kidding.

[fiji jim]

I would be happy to have more Neem leaves as like Kris we find no insect or fungal problems around neem. However we have 6 acres and use mostly rakings from our 6 massive rain trees and other compost that we have made by chipping fallen matter like palm fronds, coconuts, tree branches etc.

[JT in Japan]

Bump. Another great topic from the archives loaded with good info and opinions...

Has anyone any experience using bamboo as mulch, either leaves or shredded bamboo itself? I ask because the mountains around my beach house are 90% bamboo forests. I see a large supply of free mulch, or even a business opportunity to start shredding and bagging my own. Any opinions, scientific or otherwise?

Thanks,
JT

[palmmermaid]

I have bamoboos and I leave the leaves on the ground. Nothing grows underneath the bamboo with the leaves. It is slippery though so not good for paths. It breaks down very slowly. If you have an area where all you want is mulch with no or very liited foot traffic, bamboo is great. I don't plant anything under the bamboo either because of all the leaves falling. I had to dig out my bromeliads from underneath the leaves!

I love pine straw but here in south Florida it is very costly. I have 1 1/3 acres with lots of beds and paths so we buy mulch - autralian pine or melaleuca - by the dump truck load. We have to re-mulch every 2-3 years. We lay it down about 8" deep and still have things come up through it or from seeds landing on it. But it certainly breaks down slowly and enriches the sandy soil. Between the dump truck loads, I will buy a yard or so and use it for new areas. I also use lots of my horse manure and shavings mix. It is more manure than shavings because I use small shavings.

I won't buy dyed mulch or cypress mulch - that isn't mostly cypress anyway. I wish I could get a contact with a tree-trimming company but they all seem to have regular customers for their trimmings.

[joe_OC]

I went from organic horse manure compost to 3/4 black lava for mulch. I love it! Gives the yard a more tropical look and I only have to it down once.

[rprimbs]

I use horse and cow manure too. But I confess to having crazy theories based on.. well only a hunch.. So I also use coco shell mulch.

Years ago I was talking with Steve Spangler at Exotica Rare Fruit nursery in Vista. He said that he had tried growing durians from seed. They got to about a foot and a half tall then they suddenly declined and died. He had a theory that they needed a certain mycorrhizae that was missing in our soil. So I figured, maybe unscientifically that if the soil in tropical parts of the world contained that mycorrhizae than the plants grown in that soil would also contain the mycorrhizae. I don't know if that is true or not, but I decided that coco shell mulch would probably contain that mycorrhizae. So I started using it as a mulch for my more tropical plants and I even made a potting soil for them using one part coco shell mulch (Instead of orchid bark), one part perlite, and one part peat moss. Whatever the case the tropical plants seem to absolutely love that mix and thrive in it. Sadly my durian and my mangosteens didn't make it through the winter, but they did grow very well in the short time that they lived.

So I used coco shell mulch (I don't have a dog that I have to worry about eating it).