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.

I switched to red lava rock for all my mulching needs. The red stuff makes palms look even greener. The black stuff shows the dirt too much, but let me tell ya, I'd love to put some of the black stuff around my bismarckia just to get the heat up and see the contrast between black and the silvery leaves. I have not been able to find the black stuff anywhere.

I use Eucalyptus mulch. Why? Because it is the only thing that cats will not use as the neighborhood toilet! Seriously, if you have a cat problem, use Eucalyptus mulch and they will be gone. No more $15 cans of Keep Off. It's not as pretty as the red mulch or black lava , but at least your plants live.

I use bales of Pea straw and as they rot down the straw adds nitrogen to the soil .

I go to Evergreen Nursery and a guy dumps a "yard" of mulch in the back of my Ford Ranger.

I use the same Evergreen nursery mulch that Terry is using.

Have you guys tried Miramar Greenery? looks promising. they even have a video showing how good their stuff is:

http://granicus.sandiego.gov/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1492

I don't know what type of mulch I use but it'd bagged earthgro brand that's pretty cheap, on sale for 4 bags for $10 for my small cycad garden area i'll probably be using white crushed marble

(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!

long beach also has a free mulch program offered by the city, i can't find anything about Seal Beach though

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

Yep, I'm all about using the free mulch myself!

I use shredded hardwood mulch here in the mid-Atlantic and usually have about 5 yards delivered each year. No dyed mulches - not fond of them, and it seems most are made from lumber yard scraps. Pine bark nuggets will wash away in heavy downpours, but the shredded hardwood seems to be interlocking and stays in place when it rains.

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.

I'm with Kitty! Mulch a Melaleuca quinquenervia, and save the glades.

Pine straw works well for me, looks nice, and my pine trees are constantly producing it

Sea World uses it too.