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Weeder’s Digest CONTINUED
W eeder ’ s Digest CONTINUED
preference. Their make up could be ground pine bark, pine nuggets, and
that of natural bark of hardwood of course pine needles. The decision
trees, double ground for texture… or to use any of these options is based
that of ground up pallets, which are on your personal preference. It’s not a
repurposed for the landscape industry. matter of what is right or wrong, but
Don’t hesitate to choose a dyed mulch, rather one of convenience, aesthetics,
as they are organically based and have and budget.
been shown to pose no adverse affects Inorganic mulches have increased
to plants or soil. However, it is possible in popularity; this is the use of
that ground up and dyed pallets that decorative stone, slate and of course
are used as mulch may cause some brick chips. These products come in
unknown side effects.
a multitude of colors and particle
Pallets that have been sizes, and while they'll cost more up
manufactured for use in shipping front and may entail a bit more elbow
a variety of different materials to grease to install, they provide a “one
different places in the world are and done” approach to your landscape.
suspect, since there's no way to know Some important aspects to consider
what they may contain. There is no when moving to this as a medium
way to be certain of the raw materials are the size and the texture of the
used in their manufacture, sealants variety that you choose. If you plan to
that may have been used to protect be regularly walking in these bedded
them, and accidental spills that may areas, it’s wise to choose a smaller
have occurred during their travels. You variety so as not to create a tripping
likely have noticed that mulch needs hazard. Conversely, if you anticipate
to be reapplied every year or so. Mulch having to employ a blower or rake to
normally breaks down, acting to enrich remove leaves and debris, choose one
the soil; therefore, it is my opinion with particles that are large enough
that for the health of your plants, it’s that they will not readily be moved and
best to stick with natural products. displaced. These same considerations
apply when installing on a bank, or if
Natural mulch is available in a water runoff may cause displacement.
variety of options. The most widely
used type is shredded hardwood, which Whether using organic or
is the bark from hardwood trees, not inorganic mulch, the question as to
conifers. Other varieties might contain whether to use a landscape fabric or
ground up oak or cedar, each with its plastic sheeting under the medium
own distinctive character and natural is a relevant one. Certainly if plants
color. Conifers offer products such as are involved, you’ll want to avoid the
30 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SPRING 2022
