oh...and Eucalyptus mulch...what's the take on that one??

Thanks again...

I prefer either Pine Nuggets or Eucalyptus. Both smell nice and discourage bugs. Cypress mulch is made from our native Cypress trees. I also avoid Maleleuca because I am allergic to it. I didn't think pine mulch was bad...looking forward to others comments. We just put out 3 bags on or front bed this morning and I just mulched my bananas, tomatoes and artichoked with pine.

but the best mulch of all is the free stuff from the utility co... because it's free, because it's not going to the dump, and because it's made of small twigs (lignan!) and leaves which adds structure and texture to the soil... and did i mention it's free?

out soil's so neutral, so well drained, so quick to digest organic matter -- the fact that the pine might raise the ph by a few ticks is really irrelevant. i wouldn't put it around plants you know prefer an alkaline soil; otherwise, the ph thing is if anything a benefit of pine nuggets. from a green pov, pine is ok, inasmuch as it's a byproduct of the paper industry...

Cliff - Cypress is almost always shredded and be wary of what you buy. The big box stores are selling "Cypress blend" that includes construction debris. The stuff sold at Bushel Stop (their 'B+') is all Cypress.

Pine bark is your best bet because you do want to add acid to the soil. Eucalyptus is great mulch, but very expensive in comparison.

I agree with Michael. The free stuff!
The utility folks have deliver for free! Six huge truck of
mulch equivalence of twenty-four,yes 24 regular size truck
of free mulch. They have been dumping it by one of my fence.
It smells like Christmas around here. Tony stated that it reminds him of hurricane season but you guys know Tony.LOL!
Horse manure that I add to the soil and now all the mulch.
Yeap,I'm a happy guy. Only bad thing is allergies. Respiratory
and skin rashes on my eye lids. I guess I'm playing too much in it.:-) I'll have mulch for a long time.
Michael, did I mention I got it for free?

Felix

I've had this same dilema and I ended up with eucalyptus. What I have read (and feel free to read and find better info) is that cypress mulch is great because it lasts a long time and fights bugs, but it is harvested from wetlands, and we don't want to deplete wetlands.

The problem with pine bark is the cost, but if you can afford it, it's perfect because it works (retarding weeds and bugs) and it's a byproduct of the paper industry.

Eucalyptus is farmed, and grows easily and quickly, so supposedly, it's sustainable. And it does help with the bugs, I've found. I've also found chipped is better than shredded, but I can't always get chipped.

Sadly, I can't get the free mulch so many here talk about. It's against county ordinance for the tree trimmers to give it out because it may contain seeds of several invasive exotics that are trying to destroy the Everglades. I hate to see that stuff go to a landfill, but I'd also hate to use it in my yard and end up with a stand of australian pine.

So I buy the eucalyptus.

s

Also agreeing with Michael: I like the free stuff. I used a lot of stuff I pick up along the side of the road (see dh ducking under the dash!). I now live in an area that has more pine tree and people RAKE THE NEEDLES AND PUT THEM OUT ON THE TRASH! How insane.

I've used "Flora Mulch"? That is malaluca and it seems to be a breading gound for weeds. I won't use that again. It didn't seem to matter how many inches I used.

A couple of years ago I was trying to be good so I didn't get my usual cypress I got pine bark. OMG what a nightmare. You've never seen so many roaches! These were the Asian variety that are very close in looks to the Germans. The main difference is that Germans like it inside your house and don't fly much. The Asian roaches like it outside (thank God!) and they do a lot of flying. When I watered or fertilized they would swarm out of the mulch by the thousands. I would also find them in my roses, oh gross.

Ok: pine needles, oak leaves and tree trimmings and maybe eucalyptus if I have to buy something.