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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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| List of FAQs | ||
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Q. IS USING MULCH REALLY SO IMPORTANT?A. Yes, definitely yes. If applied properly mulch is beneficial in many ways. The main material for mulch in our area is wood, mostly as a by product of other wood related activities, and that's always a good thing, (though it's important to use composted wood mulch if you're mulching around plants, green wood mulch uses alot of nitrogen to break itself down, and in that process can starve your plants of this important element.) Mulch can be made of other materials as well, though generally it's a good idea to use what's readily available in your area. Mulch can be used to conserve water,
suppress weeds, add organic matter, and shade shallow rooted plants like rhododendrons
and other members of that family. A big mistake we often see is in mulch application,
too deep and too close to the plants crown(where the main stem meets the ground.)
This practice can actually result in the plant's death. When applying mulch
taper
in from the dripline(tips of branches) starting with 3" to 4" depth,
when you reach the crown of the plant the mulch should barely touch the bark.
To plant or fertilize after you have already applied mulch, first pull back
the mulch, apply or plant and then pull back the mulch around the plant without
contaminating
the mulch with the soil. Avoid using hay or grass clippings as mulch, as these
both contain tons of weed seeds. |
Shortcuts to FAQ: Sustainability |
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