Is this a working food garden area that needs to be mulched or a decorative landscaped area? For the working garden compost as mulch can be exceptionally good as it can improve the soil and feed the plants while also maintaining soil moisture levels and keeping down weeds (if applied thickly enough). But for a permanent decorative area it isn't the ideal mulch.

And what is the primary goal for your mulching - weed supression or soil improvement? Reason I ask is because depending on what your goal is and the use of the area is, there may be better, longer lasting, and even less expensive mulches available.

Dave

This is mainly decorative landscape, although I have some fruit trees in the backyard...

The reason.. Well, I want to learn better ways to gardening and avoid so much fertilizers/chemicals..

Any recommendation would be very welcome and appreciated.

I can try composting for the backyard only... and regular mulch the front... if so.. where can I buy cheap composting.

Thanks

But for a permanent decorative area it isn't the ideal mulch.

I don't know why anyone would say that. What exactly is it about compost that doesn't make it 'ideal' or at least equivalent to any other mulch under any application? I'm sorry I don't have photos to share, but I mulch my entire garden - mostly ornamental plantings - with nothing but compost. My garden is heavily planted and with a large number of perennials and smaller ornamentals but also with a good number of trees and shrubs, and the texture of compost is IMO better suited to these types of plants than something coarser or chunkier like bark or wood chips. And because I am frequently dividing, sometimes transplanting or adding new plants, the inevitable cultivation of the soil and resulting incorporation of the compost into the soil prevents any concerns about nitrogen tie-up that could be present doing the same type of activities with a more woody-based mulch. And also because of its nutrient availability, I never need to add any other types of fertilizers. Plus, it has disease suppressing capabilities that other types of mulches do not share. I apply it thickly - around 2 inches or so - annually and it provides a rich, dark finished appearance to the planting beds. Once the plants fill in for the season, it's hard to see it anyway, but its appearance is equal to or superior to any other mulch type. And it achieves similar results. There is no good reason NOT to use it wherever you like.

As to places to locate compost in your area, I have included a link to various compost facilities throughout Florida. Or look in your yellow pages or online for local bulk soil yards - most will have some sort of compost product available for sale or delivery. Your own compost will be the best economic value - it's free - but if you do not have enough or must purchase a mulch, considering that using compost as a mulch virtually eliminates the need for any other fertilizers, the value of even purchased bulk compost is hard to beat.

FWIW, Florida has some rather sophisticated commercial composting regulations and you can be assured what you purchase is of high quality, tested and properly finished.

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida compost facilities

What she said.

I, myself, me, think that wood chip mulches only look good in a lumber yard.

Why do you need to replace the current mulch? Why could you not just top dress what is there?

Thanks for all the responses!!

I do not want to "replace" but to - re-mulch... so.. yes, NO plans to take the little mulch is still there...

I used some compost as mulch in a flower bed and it looked great but it disappeared much quicker than my wood mulches.

I use a variety of materials for mulch depending on the location and what is available. For example, I often use shredded leaves on my beds in the fall because I have huge quantities. And I use bark nuggets on a shady area without any plants, like a woodland patio.

But mainly I use compost. It's my favorite in terms of appearance because it looks like super rich soil. Because I use compost, I don't have to use much fertilizer at all. It stays mostly weed free because seeds have to land on top of it to grow. If a weed does show up, it is extremely easy to pull. After about 8-9 years of top-dressing my beds with 3-4 inches of compost twice a year, my soil is wonderfully soft, rich, and lovely. I was just admiring it yesterday. :-) And I started with rock hard clay. No, it doesn't last as long as some other mulches, but in every other way it is better. YMMV.

I've used compost on top of wood chip mulch and it works just fine. It doesn't take long for the compost to get watered underneath.

I don't know why anyone would say that. What exactly is it about compost that doesn't make it 'ideal' or at least equivalent to any other mulch under any application?

Oh come on, you do too know why. First, he has to buy the stuff and we all know how the quality and appearance of store-bought compost varies when you can even find it. We all make our own and it's great stuff and wouldn't hesitate to use it. But because he already has a spouse "appearance issue" to resolve as he mentioned, and because he has to buy the compost, and because compost doesn't last nearly as long as wood chip mulch (which the wife prefers) and because it will have to be replaced more often especially in his humid environment, and because he isn't an active composter...yet ;) then compost isn't the ideal mulch to use.

Let's all try to be realistically helpful here, ok? No one is saying that compost isn't heavenly and you already know that I make and use it by the ton. But if someone has a large, decorative area to mulch and appearance is more of an issue than is soil improvement and cost is an issue and frequency of replacement is an issue then compost is not the ideal mulch to use.

On the other hand fagopher if you can locate a local source of good quality compost (check local nurseries and landscapers as they will know the local sources) for a reasonable price then go for the plan you suggested - use the compost in the back so the wife can get gradually used to how good it works and looks and start making your own to use in the front next year. Once you get into cooking your own compost piles you'll have free replacement available and all the other concerns will fall by the wayside. ;)

Dave

"which the wife prefers"

Did I miss a post, where is that from?

What did stand out for me was...

"The reason.. Well, I want to learn better ways to gardening and avoid so much fertilizers/chemicals.."

For this stated reason I agree with all the reasons Pam gave. IMO, there ain't mulch better than compost. (that there is play on words for those that didn't get it.)

Lloyd

LLoyd,

Tres sweet! I had a brain fart and had to go read it again. Felt another gray hair grow at the same time...

Fabio,

(Nice name.) There is no doubt in my mind that compost mulch is better IMHO. I've mulched my gardens with it every year, but unfortunately I don't have photos.

When I run out of the good stuff, I mulch with a combo of shredded leaves and used coffee grounds mixed together. Her's a photo of what that looks like. I have garden tours and folks ask where I get the mulch. They are surprised I make my own.
{{gwi:196914}}

Here's what it looks like in the wheelbarrow. Obviously some pine needles went into this batch.
{{gwi:196913}}

To each his own but I'd rather buy plants and gardening equipment than pay for something I can produce myself and know where all the ingredients are coming from.

Also, I need first to convince my wife to let me use it instead of what we currently use (pine bark)... and she worries about the look of it... OP

Yeah, Lloyd, you missed it.

Dave

I think I am really beginning to understand why we seem to disagree a lot Dave. What word in that quote led you to the word "prefer"?

I've tried looking up every word that might be misconstrued but all the online stuff I found had no connection to the word "prefer".

Enlighten me, clearly my lack of education is tripping me up.

Lloyd

Mulches, whether wood chips or compost, do not "disappear" but they do get digested and since compost is something that the soil bacteria do not need to work as hard to digest as wood chips is why compost is worked into the soil faster than wood chips. No matter what organic matter you put on your soil eventually you will see an increase in the humus level in your soil, from the soil bacteria digesting that organic matter.
Things like stones and shredded tires will not do this and so are not a good choice for use as mulch.

I think I am really beginning to understand why we seem to disagree a lot Dave.

Aw gee, Lloyd I think it might have more to do with our very different reasons for participating here - an honest effort to answer the questions posted vs. a determined effort to critique the posts of other participants.

Dave

Exactly the non-answer answer I expected.

***sigh***