Search Results for “mulch” – Page 3

Will cocoa mulch kill my dog?

Recently I was asked to comment about a rash of e-mails floating around cyber-space concerning the toxicity to dogs of mulch made from crushed cocoa bean hulls. Cocoa mulch is by-product of cocoa production. The dark brown mulch is aesthetically and aromatically pleasing, giving the garden a rich, chocolately scent. Since theobromine, a naturally occurring compound in chocolate is toxic to dogs, the internet is now filled with cyber-legends of dogs eating cocoa mulch and keeling over dead.… Continue reading this article “Will cocoa mulch kill my dog?”

Should I boycott cypress mulch?

It’s hard to think of mulch as a controversial topic but, as with most things these days, we find people on both sides of an issue. And, as with most things these days, some of opinions are based on substance, others are not. In the southern U.S. some environmental groups are advocating a boycott of cypress mulch.

Cypress mulch is derived from baldcypress and pond cypress, which grow in ecologically sensitive wetlands in the Southeast. Cypress wood is highly valued for is natural decay resistance. … Continue reading this article “Should I boycott cypress mulch?”

Rubber mulch rubs me the wrong way

I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about rubber mulch lately. For those of you not familiar with the product, it consists of shredded tires that can be dyed and used on ornamental landscapes or under playground equipment. In fact, the Obamas had this material installed underneath their children’s play structure at the White House. It seems an ideal way to recycle the 290 million scrap tires we generate annually.

But is it?

It’s not effective: One of the main reasons we use mulch is to suppress weeds. … Continue reading this article “Rubber mulch rubs me the wrong way”

Mmmmm…mulch!

It’s a nice sunny September day in Seattle and I’m in my happy place. What better topic to match my mood than mulch?

For those of you not familiar with my fixation on woody mulches, I’ll refer you to an article in MasterGardener Magazine here. Briefly, I am a fan of coarse, chunky organic mulch, particularly arborist wood chips or other chipped material from trees and shrubs.

Rather than send this material off to the landfill, it’s so much better to use it as a protective layer on top of your landscape soil. … Continue reading this article “Mmmmm…mulch!”

Mulch Volcanoes

After Linda’s post yesterday I just had to add my own 2 cents about gator bags. I use ’em and I like ’em. But, that said, I never allow gator bags to sit against trees for an extended period of time (Maybe 6 weeks when the tree first goes in). That’s just asking for trouble! But looking at those bags got me thinking about a project which we’re finishing up this year. Volcano mulching. Believe me, it sounds a lot cooler than it is. … Continue reading this article “Mulch Volcanoes”

Syrphid flies have immense pest control vaue

by Hamutahl Cohen

Recently an avocado grower in Fillmore sent me a photo of a wrinkled maggot-like larvae, followed by a large question mark. It looked just like a syrphid fly, what we commonly call a hoverfly or flower fly. But this fly maggot was a bright, colorful orange, not the green syrphid larvae I am accustomed to seeing. After consulting with my colleagues, I learned that syrphids actually come in a dramatic range of colors and shapes.… Continue reading this article “Syrphid flies have immense pest control vaue”

Weather forecasting for gardeners and how social media misuses those predictions

If you spend much time on social media, you have probably seen screaming headlines on Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere about impending extreme weather. In the last few weeks I have seen wild stories about a late-season tropical storm forming in the Caribbean and an Arctic outbreak and snowstorm heading through the eastern US all the way to the Gulf. Neither of these had any real chance of occurrence but the people who post them are looking for clicks and attention.… Continue reading this article “Weather forecasting for gardeners and how social media misuses those predictions”

How different types of precipitation affect your garden

In my household, the weather is a common subject of conversation. That is only partly because I am married to a meteorologist. In fact, I have noticed that I can talk to almost anyone about the weather, and I suspect you can too. Weather is most captivating when something interesting is occurring, like liquid falling from the sky. When I give talks to master gardener groups, they are almost always consumed with how the weather is affecting their gardens.… Continue reading this article “How different types of precipitation affect your garden”

Bee Hotels: A Closer Look at Unintended Consequences

Bee hotels have become popular additions to gardens, designed to support wild bees by providing them with nesting sites. Solitary bees, unlike honey bees, live in natural and man-made cavities which can be easily provided with nesting habitats. A previously published Garden Professors blog offers valuable insights into creating artificial nesting structures for these bees, emphasizing the importance of proper design and placement. However, if you’re thinking about installing a bee hotel, I’d urge you to reconsider – some studies suggest that bee hotels, if not correctly maintained, can inadvertently harm the very pollinators they’re meant to help.… Continue reading this article “Bee Hotels: A Closer Look at Unintended Consequences”

An Ode to the Dandelion:

Deciphering fact from fiction for one of the most infamous plants in the world.

Dandelions can be a bit of a polarizing subject for gardeners. Some absolutely love them, while others may despise seeing these bright yellow bursts of unconformity in an otherwise ‘pristine’ lawn and garden landscape. Many often find themselves somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Dandelions are also used as a symbol for resilience–growing despite all odds in some very harsh and unforgiving environments–often ones where few cultivated plants would successfully grow.… Continue reading this article “An Ode to the Dandelion:”