Hi baxi--I've bought cocoa bean mulch the past two years at Russell's in Wayland. Jardinista

thank you jardinista!

If you have a dog don't get Cocoa husk mulch! It can be toxic to dogs!

Usually I don't worry about toxicity and dogs, because they normally have enough sense to not eat things that are poisonous to them. Cocoa mulch is the exception - they love it. I've used it in pots and my dog has destroyed those; now I only use it in the front yard, where he doesn't set foot, and there, I've found out that squirrels and lots of other varmints like it too.

Lucky you, to not have this problem! I love the stuff (especially the smell!) and wish I could use it. I like buckwheat hull mulch too, and it's almost as hard to find as the cocoa hull mulch - expensive too. It sure looks nice.

Funny story (although I didn't think so at that time). The one year we put a small amount of cocoa mulch down, 3 large rats started roaming around our deck and deck wall garden within a day. This was pre-dog, so I made my husband stay home to find/hire an exterminator and the rats were gone in a couple of days. We took up the mulch and never had that problem again. I love the smell and would love to use it again. Maybe I should b/c I have terriers that love rats, hmmm.

"Has anyone seen cocoa husk mulch for sale? I used to buy it at Walmart, but haven't found any this year. I'm in Milton... "

Hi Barbara,

When I was young, it seemed that all of Milton smelled like a chocolate factory. Cocoa husk mulch was free.... all one could take away from Baker's Chocolate Mill at the Milton/Dorchester line. Nice memories!

~ Hilda

Hi Hilda,

Funny how things change. Must have been nice to smell chocolate around town:-)

Barbara

I know this mulch is wonderful, and does so much to improve the soil.

However, please don't use it if you have dogs!

Many years ago, before we had an electric fence for our dog, I had a delivery from a local garden center. While the delivery man and I were engaged in conversation, our dog jumped into the truck, opened a bag of cocoa mulch with her teeth, and starting eating the stuff! (She had never jumped in any delivery truck in the past.)

Dogs don't know this stuff is toxic to them.

Luckily, we caught her in time, and she was OK.

Molly

I was thinking of using this mulch for my 2 veggie garden beds this year. I have never used it before; I usually use straw for the veggies but wanted to try something more presentable since my back yard is very visible to the surrounding neighbors. Does this mulch really attract rats?? If so, I will need to change my plan.

Wow, am I glad that I read this post, I have been looking for cocoa husk mulch because I heard it was really good for the soil and also looked good and smelled good. I also have a chocolate labrador retriever named cocoa who is a notorious lush as far as food is concerned. Oh my, he would have eaten himself to death, literally.

Thank you all for posting how bad it is for dogs!

Linda

I was at a nursery today and they said it also gets a white mold all over it if it isnt in full sun, and in dry conditions. They also had buckwheat mulch...anyone use this before ?? It is exactly the same with out the toxic stuff to dogs and the nice smell...LOL I think I am going to give it a trial run in my small bed.

I've used buckwheat mulch - it's great. Like cocoa mulch, it can blow around and also floats, so you need to be a little careful where you put it and how you handle it.

Since it's so expensive, I usually just use it in pots. If money was no object, I'd have it everywhere.

We have fox and coyotes, so no problem with rats (or bunnies, cats, or squirrels) in my neighborhood these days. I've never seen them (rats) hanging around the pots where I use hull mulches.

I bought some today (and last year) at Frerich's Farm in RI. It is $6.50 per bag. I also use some buckwheat hull mulch, which is $13 per bag, so just for prime areas. Does anyone know where to buy this more in bulk/cheaper?
thanks!

I thought that was a good price at freirichs...I was there on Tuesday when they opened...they said they have a long way to go with getting things out..I have been going there for 10 years..Mr F lost his mom last week, and the funeral was Monday...so they are behind.

Anyways...thanks for all the great info, I am going to try the buckwheat in my small bed this year and see what I think.