ilene's Blog

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Jun 25, 2008 | 6:43 AM PST

I have a small north facing frontyard. This spring I planted a dwarfed red lacey leaf maple and have planted some annuals.

I also want to plant some grasses, the blue-green small varieties, are there any other that is recommended for a north facing garden.

I need to protect my top soil and I thought that bark or cedar mulch would help to stop drainoff when I water.

Is there any type of mulch that is better than the other?

What happens to the mulch during the winter and snow coverage?

What type of mulch is recommended?

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Aurora	Jun 25, 2008 \| 7:03 AM PST I'm not sure about the grasses, but I can tell you what type of mulch I use. There really is no "wrong" mulch. I have used cedar mulch in the past, but it actually made it harder to weed (at least for me LOL), was expensive, and needed to be replaced every year or two. I now use a combination of leaves, grass clippings, and pine straw. All things I have in abundant supply for free. Since I live in zone 7b, I can work all of that into the soil come January while controlling the quintillion buttercup and vetch seedlings I get. It really helps to improve the soil, has excellent water retentive abilities, even better is FREE!
countrylane	Jun 25, 2008 \| 8:53 AM PST From experience, if you want to buy some mulch, I prefer the bark. Cedar will give you splinters, unless you're good and use gloves. :) Or you can use grass clippings or some old straw that nobody wants (ask a farmer or someone who has chickens or horses or cows if they have any they want to get rid of). As far as grasses, you might try liriope (sp?), or lilyturf. Or some liatrus.
bsmitch	Jun 29, 2008 \| 7:21 AM PST All mulches have benefits. Each one has certain characteristics that you can pick that will emphasize or protect your landscape or plant bed. Most organic mulches will deteriorate over time and will have to be repaired, or you might want to change color or texture. It's all part of your creativity. You have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell

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