I like using cypress mulch. Hardwood mulch is nice too. I've used that in the past.

As far as termites - there are two kinds of houses in Texas - those that have termites and those that will get termites. Just keep your mulch a few inches away from the foundation and keep an eye out for mud tubes.

I haven't done it yet but I plan to use compost (bought in bags from the nursery) mixed with dried oak leaves (of which I have a bunch).

There's a thread (actually more than one), in the soil forum which if one took a vote, seems to indicate that most people over there use compost (from their own making).

I remember a thread earlier (somewhere) that said that in fact termites really were a problem so do keep mulch away from the house. (Does that mean leaves too? Don't know.)

I might be wrong, but I don't think they eat leaves, so you're probably o.k. And if they did, they'd probably want something easier than an oak leaf. :)

I so need a compost bin...or two....lol.

Native cedar mulch repels bugs. That said, I'd keep it off my foundation anyway. PJ

I was hesitant to post this info about cypress mulch but what they hay, I've read about it enough that I believe it. I stay clear of cypress mulch and notice here in Houston that apparently the retail nurseries are trying to cooperate, I haven't seen it for sale recently (maybe they sold out?).

Anyway, seems developers are having a hayday chipping up the old cypress trees in Louisanna at the expense of the wetlands there. Read and judge for yourself. There's plenty more info about it on the web, just do a google search.
http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=104&articleID=1314

Here is a link that might be useful: Request that you refuse to buy cypress mulch.

No worries elphaba....can't afford mass quantities of cypress mulch, native or otherwise, anyway. I'm thinking I'll go the compost route or try to grow the plants fairly close together so I don't need as much. I like the cottage garden look.....;)

We use natural cedar mulch made by a company in Austin. It's about $3.00 a bag at Lowe's. Smells heavenly, too! We have it against the house and since we spray nematodes, we don't worry about the termites.

Stephanie

Stephanie...what kind of nematodes...and why don't you worry? I have a trivial brain and the need to acquire every bit of information possible, lol :).

There are 2 types of nematodes. DH did the research, so I'm not sure which type he sprays, but the nematodes seek out and kill the termites. When we had termites last year, he searched online and found the type we needed and they were sent to us overnight via FedEx. Since then, we've used the other kind of nematodes that we purchase at Marshall Grain here in town. We apply the nematodes about every 6 weeks starting in the early spring. We'll do one application in the fall, then apply sometime in late-February or early March before they swarm.

Stephanie

Elphaba -
Here in Austin we call Ashe Junipers cedar. The Ashe Junipers are water hogs and they pop up everywhere and are really unwanted trees here. I buy 'Texas Native' cedar mulch. I think when I am buying what is labled as 'cedar mulch' it is actually from Ashe Junipers and I am happy to kill those. If I am wrong please let me know and I will change my ways. I do my best to do the environmentally right thing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Controlling Junipers

We use chipped up leaves from the fall they will last a yr or so but Fall does come around again and the worms love them.. I also use lawn clippings in the veggie bed.. It isn't always that pretty at first and you do have to keep a little distance from your plant stocks but it turns brown and dissapers . We have been forunate enough to catch Asphlund (sp) (and they have to pay to dump chips) and have gotten them to dump out here. They don't come out here much but if I lived in town they might be consider me a stalker..LOL..
Chena

Will have to keep that in mind about the leaves...there are more than plenty around here. In fact, there are so many that I usually give six huge city trash bags to my friend for her compost pile and to mulch cold tender stuff.

Forgot to mention another idea from the soil forum, if you have space between your plants put down about 6 (or so) layers of newspaper (wet it down) and put dried leaves on top to keep it looking pretty. That way you don't need the compost.

I may use this method on my beds that aren't filled to the brim. But I'm thinking that you have to use a heck of a lot of leaves, else, on a windy day, your bed of exposed newspaper isn't going to look too hot.

Guess if you use a weed whacker on the leaves (put them in a plastic garbage can and take your frustrations out on them with the whacker), they might be less likely to blow. Do you think?

Or another thought is if you water it down several days in a row after you place the newspaper with leaves, then it might not be a problem. Guess I need to ask at the soil forum, LOL. Just brainstorming here.

The City has free mulch at the recycling center. That's what I use. It comes from tree trimmings, stuff that is picked up, all recycled. House is elevated on brick piers so not a problem with the foundation for me. Tally HO!