Anyone mulching, bark nuggets, pine straw etc...

Layed 100 bgs of wood chips last week , well my friend did! But personally put down 81 bags of black mulch in 8 flower beds and have 340 in red to go. My bulbs are bursting through early so I decided to put it down early, may also help save them if it freezes in the next couple weeks. I have found this to be much easier installation as I don't have to be as careful working the mulch around new plantings as I have in the past! And since I have well over 3500 bulbs this year it was gonna be a nightmare. Any thoughts?
  20 answers
  • When they start blooming you will need to hand out sun glasses from all the bright colors! All you folks down south just love to rub it in with your winter garden projects, while us northern folks never know from one day to the next how much snow or rain we may get. Its winter folks, Your supposed to be sitting by a fire drinking hot coco , not planting flowers.
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Feb 07, 2012
    Woodbridge, we do our drinking after the work is done and it's not hot cocoa! :)
  • Paul M Paul M on Feb 08, 2012
    If you contact just about any tree service in this area you can get those wood chips for free.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 08, 2012
    Faidra, if you could put your energy in a bottle you could sell it! Bagged mulch is definitely easier to handle, but I'm really picky about mulch (I only like finely ground hardwood) and it is only available in bulk, so I usually have a mound in my driveway for a few weeks when its time to refresh.
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Feb 08, 2012
    I'm picky also, and perfer the large pine bark nuggets -dark ones, bags are much easier as I have 2 acres and the areas are spread everywhere. Have 45 bags of red left to install, the Scot's color advantage is really good this year, brilliant red, nice and fluffy only needed around 280 bags this year - nxt pine straw for slopes and around trees! Yes, if I could sell my energy, then I could use funds to buy more flowers!
  • If you want strong, clean bed lines, the free mulch does not provide it. The color usually is too light and texture is not the best. For large areas that are not the center of attention, mulch away. I mostly use for my clients, and myself, the Scotts Naturescapes dyed forest brown. Comes with a one year guarantee and lasts.
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Feb 08, 2012
    FS - yes, I love the brown, and was debating changing out, but that would have taken more to fully cover verses freshen up the areas. Will post photos. ? - found out shouldn't place mulch next to tree base, scraped it away, what can I put around tress besides pine straw, not my favorite.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 09, 2012
    Faidra, even pine straw shouldn't be right up against the base of the tree.
  • Faidrs, I never got to help you with the bulbs. If you still want to help each other with yard work, I am up to it. I had a huge emotional slowdown concerninf my dad. I am so ready to play in the dirt! I've been busy with clients, but I need to get in the dirt for myself. That's when I really get connected to life. Except weeding, nothing spiritual in that for me. Wish it was, my yard would never sport a weed!
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Feb 09, 2012
    FSG totally den w/that idea, let's do it. Okay, Douglas, FSG what should I put at base of my trees then?
  • You know, I talk way better than I type. Lol and so true. Did you post a pic of the tree bed, what kind of tree, makes a huge difference. For ex, it is very hard to grow something under the thirsty maple, let alone an oak. And walnut trees submit a toxin so nadda can grow under them. Dogwoods don't like to share the water or nutrients because they have shallow roots. But have no fear, FSG is here. How much will you water under the trees? What colors do you love to see outside?
  • And type of leaf texture? Mature tree size? See what goes through a landscaper's mind. And I did not ask if you have an Old English Sheep Dog that will eat the daisies.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 10, 2012
    Faidra, you can put mulch to within a few inches of the trunk, it just shouldn't touch it. Six inches away is the generally given guideline. Mulch should not be more than 2 inches deep if you have clay soil.
  • Just put down 120 bags of hardwood mulch for a client! Had to rake up the old red stuff first. Crew of 4 did a great job today to meet the deadline. My feet are up and just watched Gibbs garden on PBS. Did they say 3 or 4 million daffodils?
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 18, 2012
    @Flowerscapes: Out with the red mulch: yay!
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Feb 18, 2012
    Hey Douglas, don't count the red out! FS, I'm going to Gibbs to see all their grounds in March, from the website it looks out of this world...or back when the world start, Eden
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 19, 2012
    @Faidra: I have no hope of it ever happening, but a guy can dream. LOL!
  • Deb B Deb B on Feb 19, 2012
    i would love to have my beds mulched this spring as our 125 birthday is this spring but the dentist wants my extra
  • Shirley Midgett Shirley Midgett on Jun 01, 2015
    I collect my "mulch" curbside on garbage day....leaves, pine straw, grass clippings work fine
  • Faidra Ford Faidra Ford on Jun 03, 2015
    Slidell! I'm originally from Lake Charles! I really miss my beautiful lawn that seemed to grow with little to no maintenance there!! Miss the crawfish and boudin also!! :)
    • Shirley Midgett Shirley Midgett on Jun 10, 2015
      @Faidra Ford Yep, our lawn has to be mowed about 9 months out of the year. You need to come on a foodie vacation to south Louisiana, it's all good!