|
Feller Landscape Group Email: info@feller
**Note** Please - Do not use Cocoa shells as a mulch in your garden. Many animals (wild or domesticated) have been seriously hurt by ingesting Cocoa shells. Chocolate/Cocoa shells have even caused death in some cases and is not recommended for any animal.
|
Serving the Chicagoland counties of DuPage, Kane and Northern Cook. Over 25 years of experience!
Newsletters
...Where Imagination and Design Unite...
Mulches
What mulches are and what they do... Hardwood, Cypress and Cedar are the three most commonly types of decorative mulches sold today. Most of which are by-products of the lumber industry. Each of these differ in appearance and function. The main purpose of mulch is to hold moisture, retard weeds, maintain even soil temperatures and provide a decorative appearance.
Hardwood Mulch Hardwood mulch consists of shredded and composted bark from hardwood trees. Saw mills remove the bark before cutting the timber into lumber. The bark is obtained from the mill, composted for at least six months then shredded and screened. Double ground hardwood mulch is shredded two times for a finer look. The longer the bark is aged, the darker it gets. Proper composting and aging produces mulch rich in nutrients. Because of its density, hardwood mulch insulates and protects your plants from extreme temperatures. Once installed, hardwood mulch will decompose throughout the season, and plants take advantage of the nutrients. Hardwood mulch will need to be put down every year. Since hardwood mulch will decompose, installing this mulch in very shaded and damp area might encourage fungi to grow. However, a simple raking/cultivation or even removing a small amount, will rectify this situation. If the shady/damp area continues to grow fungus, a different mulch may be needed.
|