what is the best water retaining mulch on the market?
-
360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Mar 22, 2012As in keeping moisture present or as in for erosion control?Helpful Reply
-
-
Ricardo B on Mar 22, 2012In it's purist form for your desire to retain water, the best mulch is whatever wicks any water touches it. Inorganic perlite comes to mind and so does do those crystals crystals that soften up and gorge themselves on absorbed water. They're both great for release water slowly. around your green things... but they DON'T Look very appealing when gazing out into your garden or planting beds! Right off, my opinion is DO NOT use artificial mulch. If you have time this Spring... make your own combination of the above with a healthy dose of your favorite ORGANIC stuff that you can buy in bags or in bulk. Personally, I like anything that is already broken down to it's lowest common denominator. What do I mean? Well for instance, instead of those large, medium or nuggets of pine bark, I'd rather have pine bark that has been ground up already. It breaks down better and retains much more moisture. Or, how about chipped wood (preferably that which has sufficiently aged into a more compost-like texture). BTW, Fresh wood chips will rob your soil of needed nitrogen so be sure to add some granular nitrogen to aid the surrounding plants and aid in breaking down your mulch. OH YES... you definitely DO want to allow for your mulch to break down over time. That's what will feed the soil underneath and those wonderful roots of the things you want to keep growing in your yard, right, Cher?Helpful Reply
-
-
Walter Reeves on Mar 22, 2012Good points from Ricardo! Let me second the point about the mulch being organic. I do not recommend ever using sheet plastic or "weed control" landscape fabric. Both are much more trouble than they are worth.Helpful Reply
-
-
Pamela Scruggs on Apr 18, 2015I use wheat straw myself...NOT HAY! it works for me it seems to keep down evaporation and at the end of the season I just till it in because wheat straw decomposes over time. I really like the fact that when I water my garden I don't get much splashing up onto the leaves of my plants and wheat straw seems to make it a harder way to go for slugs and caterpillars after a while it seems to pack down which is a good thing.... the water goes right through and it acts as a carpet snugged right up to the base of my plants.Helpful Reply
-
-
Gene on Jun 20, 2015peat moss. Mix it in with your soil, & it will hold Water longer.Helpful Reply
-
-
Gladys on Sep 27, 2015Pine straw in our area. It also adds in acidity that so many plants here need.Helpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
I want to get rid of a trumpet vine that is growing on my home.
How do you get rid of Trumpet Vine. It is growing into the foundation of my house. I have tried pulling it out, round up, vinegar and salt. Please share your knowled... See more
How can you make a regular sized door fit into a mobile home frame?
The back door to my mobile home is a an odd size - specific to mobile homes. They are extraordinarily expensive. Is there some way to cut down a regular sized door to... See more
What can I do with this DVD stand?
I have a DVD stand that I am trying to repurpose instead of trash. Any ideas?
Blackout curtains behind vertical blinds
I have two 6' patio doors, and I want to add blackout curtains to keep the sun/cold out. What is the best way to hang them, and what can I use to push the curtains ba... See more
What’s your favorite flower?
Let's brighten up our day with some floral beauty! Flowers come in so many shapes, sizes, and colors, and everyone has a favorite. We want to know: What is your favor... See more
Should I paint or stain my oak kitchen cabinets?
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ... See more
Any great tips for removing hard water stains from exterior windows?
Hey there fellow forum members!I need some help to make my home's exterior windows shine again! Any tips on tackling those stubborn hard water stains? They're driving... See more