Archive for the ‘mulch’ Category

Buy Compost in a Bag – A Gardener’s Guide

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Too many gardeners especially beginners, ask if it is possible to purchase premium grade garden composts in a bag. Most bagged merchandise at garden shops are either topsoil or manure. So how do you uncover places that offer composts in a bag? What should you do if you do not have a space or yard to dump all the composts?

The answer towards the possibility question is actually a huge Yes. Most shops that you certainly visit do not have the bagged composts displayed likely since they bag the composts only when there is an order. Unlike topsoil and manure, compost is usually a delicate item.

So the best thing to do when inside a shop is to ask. All shops have their own compost farm in some place, and if you are just lucky to locate they have one at their backyard, you might be able to take a glimpse and sample their item.

If space is really a big trouble, you can request your neighbor if you can use an extra space from their lot to store your compost. Just make sure it will not affect any neighboring vegetation or garden.

Pine Straw Mulch – Pine Needle for Winterizing Your Garden

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Besides the fact Pine Straw mulch is a sustainable, renewable resource, it’s so wonderful and lightweight to work with pine needle and looks very attractive. Young seedlings can grow through pine needle, water can filter down through it, the soil can breathe and yet pine straw still holds in moisture. It lasts much longer than other similar materials and pine needle won’t be adrift away with the first drenching rain.

In fall mulching with pine straw has an important function since temperatures in the late fall to wintertime months can change radically. The ground heaves as it freezes and thaws, forcing the root systems of many delicate plants up from the soil and exposing them to the elements. Just about all plants are much healthier when they have a bed of pine needle mulch spread over their roots.

Different Materials Used In Mulch, Topsoil And Fill Dirt

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

There are many different possible uses for mulch, topsoil and other backfill aggregates, and not all of them are just for landscaping and gardening. Limestone gravel, for example, can be used for backfill in drain and basement waterproofing projects, because of its ability to allow water to filter through the substance.

Mulch is a loose term used to describe a number of different aggregate materials that can be used for landscaping and gardening purposes. These materials include shredded bark, wood, cardboard and even shredded tires. Mulch can be sold in different colors and sizes for different aesthetic and landscaping needs.

In most cases, mulch is used as a substance for gardening and landscaping to substitute for existing topsoil that might not be as appropriate. By removing the upper half foot of topsoil and replacing it with nutrient rich mulch,the plants and trees in your garden will be much healthier and live longer.

The mulch used for gardening and plant growth is generally different than decorative types that are only spread out to make a yard more visually pleasing. Gardening mulches more resemble potting soil, and are more rich with nutrients that plants need to thrive in different environments.