Looking for a Pretty Mulch

[ninnymary]

Last year I used rice straw as mulch and it worked very well. The problem was that I didn't like the way it looked. It doesn't seem to fit in with my garden theme. I have a victorian painted in green with cream trim and the garden is a cottage type garden. All of the outdoor furniture is painted in different bright colors. There are also alot of ornamental garden tihings in it.

We are about to have a big party to celebrate our granddaughter's first birthday and I need to mulch.

I would like a mulch that is not only good looking but inexpensive.
Any ideas?

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

I like to use Beauty bark ( that what it's called up here anyway ). It's very fine (not the big chunky stuff ) and smells woodsy and fresh . Really dresses up an area. I don't know cost wise what it would be for you , but Lowes and HD sell it bagged.

Another mulch I've heard great things about is cocoa shell mulch. It's a pretty mulch, a good soil additive and smells like chocolate for awhile.( I have heard that if you have a dog that eats everything you shouldn't use it because chocolate is toxic to dogs).

I haven't used it, but I've never seen it locally either, if it was available to me I would use it in my little picket garden, where you would probably find me rolling in it. Again, I don't know what it is cost wise, should be about the same as bagged fine bark, but I suppose it depends a lot on where you live.

Here's a few links about the cocoa mulch, two of them are info, the third is a few places it's sold in your area.

http://www.cocoashellmulch.co.uk/

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/farnorth/msg071148054039.html?25

http://www.lgyp.com/Cocoa-shell-Mulch-in-San Francisco,California.htm

Hope you find something you like Mary! And Happy Birthday to your grandbaby!

 

[thistlebloom]

I also wanted to tell you Mary that it's no fair telling us about your lovely victorian home, beautiful cottage garden and cute garden outfittings and then withholding pictures from us! There must be someone you know who can show you how to upload...

I'lll be waiting....

 

[ninnymary]

I'm sorry Thistlebloom..I know it's mean of me to do that. One of these days..I promise. I have just been so busy. Our chicken coop is on the 3rd Annual Chicken Coop Tour in Alameda and I am in the process of painting it. It will be orange and chartruese instead of fushia and teal. It's looking very nice.

I've seen the cocao hulls. They are pricey.

I want something that I can till in after the season. I'll look into the fine bark.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Oh, were you talking about mulch for your veggie beds?
If so you probably don't want to go with the bark. Can you get pine straw? If you have a shredder, or access to one you can shred oat or wheat straw (or rice too of course ) and it comes out real fine and doesn't have the coarse look that it does pre-shredded. Then tilling it in is easy peasy. I've done that with straw and it breaks down really fast once it's tilled in.

 

[journey11]

I also wanted to tell you Mary that it's no fair telling us about your lovely victorian home, beautiful cottage garden and cute garden outfittings and then withholding pictures from us! There must be someone you know who can show you how to upload...

I'lll be waiting....

LOL, that's right. Your garden sounds lovely. I think we're all dying to take a peek! :happy_flower

 

[yubafarm]

Well I'm probably too late but you can get free compost and wood chips Bayview Green Waste in SF. If you have or can borrow a pickup, they will fill it up for you (I tell you it is an awesome experience!). More info below, plus info on free compost from Berkeley. I think the El Cerrito recycling center also has free compost and mulch but you have to load it yourself. This stuff is not organic. I have the wood chips all around my ornamentals (PS I call wood chips mulch, but at Bayview if you say mulch they will give you compost)

*Bayview Green Waste*

1300 Carroll Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 822-7686

Compost retailer. Offers mulch for free or nearly free. Trash removal.
Located off 3rd Street. Open to the public on Saturday from 7:30-noon. For weekday times, call (415) 822-7686.

*Updated May 16, 2009.*


**

*City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department, Landscape Maintenance Division*

Berkeley Marina Maintenance Yard 201 University Ave. (adventure playground
lot)
Berkeley, CA
(510) 981-6660
Free compost giveaway at the Berkeley Marina: Last Friday of the month February through October. Weather permitting. Time: 8:45 am to 2:45pm (or until compost is gone.)

 

[ninnymary]

Thank you Yubafarm! It's not to late, I've been rather busy and haven't gotten to that project. I will look into it.

Welcome to TEG :rainbow-sun You will love this site. People are so nice and willing to help.

Where are you located?

Mary

 

[yubafarm]

Hi Ninnymary,
I am in oakland, probably near you! Thanks for the welcome. I have been on the sister site backyard chickens for years and I really love the community. I once saved a chick's life because of advice I received on the site. Hopefull I can now save some plants .

Good luck with the mulch!

 

[ninnymary]

Yubafarm..I am in Alameda. We are having our annual chicken coop tour on May 15. Come on over, you will love it. There will be 8 coops to look at.

pm me for more info.

Mary