Carpet as a mulch ring.
strudeldog_gw
15 years ago
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fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
15 years agoboizeau
15 years agoRelated Discussions
The Case Against Mulch Rings
Comments (30)Calliope and Wisconsitom, those of us in CA can't grow grass, at least not without an enormous amount of effort (and water). Many of us don't have a blade of grass no matter the size of our gardens, and many municipalities offer cash bounties for lawn removal, due to the water usage. Thus, we have to come up with some substance to cover the bare earth to prevent erosion, retain moisture, reduce weeds, etc. Mulch is often the answer, especially when the plants are young. In climates where large expanses of grass are possible, the aesthetic has generally evolved to favor the landscapes that flora describes. That aesthetic traveled with the settlers from England to the US and is the dominant aesthetic in much of the Eastern US. It's lovely, just not possible here in CA with our dry summers and Mediterranean climate. Markces, your decision about whether to mulch your tree or not is largely aesthetic as long as you don't even consider the harmful practice of piling the mulch up the tree trunk. Do whatever you think looks best. One could make the argument that the mulch surrounding the tree is more beneficial to the tree than grass, for the reasons laid out above by Wisconsitom, but grass will not hurt the tree. As many have noted, the choices that one makes in one's own garden are largely - if not completely! - matters of personal taste. That's part of what makes it rewarding!...See Morerubber mulch rings for J. maples?
Comments (8)It is a myth that sow bugs/pill bugs/rolly pollies are harmless. They are just as bad as squirrels but worse since they can hide in pots. I mainly grow orchids and there is nothing those yard-shrimp like more than to munch on fresh growing root tips. I've seen them in the act. I've also seen them eating my clematis. For those reasons I'm paranoid about them eating my maples. I have no shortage of natural mulch but I also have the rubber rings. The wind often blows the mulch (leaves) away from around my trees. I would use them during winter and summer if at all, our dryest times of year. I'm a little bit worried about summer however because the rings are black. It gets hot enough as it is and I wonder about having a black mat absorbing heat when it is already over 100 F. Luckily we've had mild and wet summers the past two years so there has not been a great need for mulch....See MoreMulch Volcano 2008 'Fairy Ring' treatment
Comments (2)"Very interesting. Can't wait to see the results." Ms Jo Here is the results from last year although a bit disjointed because I didn't begin with a photo from the start then I missed a couple of photos when it started to emerge. Net result is you must take my word what happened. I plan to do this several times over several years to get sufficient data to support the theory. Here is a link that might be useful: Mulch Volcano...See MorePlanting Perennials Under Trees/Mulch Rings
Comments (11)there is so much wrong in what you said... i can understand your frustration ... first.. newly planted trees ... any plant... needs mulch to cool the soil.. reduce weed competition ... and as a water management system ... it keeps the soil moister.. longer.. especially on hot summer days .... an established tree.. need a mulch ring.. to keep the idiot with the lawnmower and weedwhip away for the tree .. trust me.. i damaged enough trees.. to know why .. lol ... it only took me a decade to learn such ... lol .. otherwise.. its jsut used to make it all look pretty.. see below .... an established tree... is said to be twice as large below ground as above ... though in a different form ... as such.. planting things under it.. will NEVER harm it ... IMHO ... presuming you arent digging holes with a backhoe or some such ... many large old trees are hard to grow under.. because they out compete the new planting for water .. so if you perfect watering .. and a few other tricks ... you can do just about anything you want under them ... though there are some trees... where it isnt even worth the effort.. like a norway maple.. e.g. on a new transplant.. it might be good .. to leave it alone for a few years.. to grow that root mass i spoke of above ... so i would plant too many thing around it .... does this help clarify your thought process.. i could try again.. if not ... as great as the web is.. its really hard.. to hone in on peeps in the same circumstances ... and if you dont know the right terms.. the search brings you so much info ... its bewildering ... and that is why GW can be a great help.. to get you on the right path.. to learn ... i did leave out all discussion of mulch.. using it .... just so it all looks pretty ... using such to make your whole yard.. cohesive.. on some level ... shall i try again??? ken...See Moredenninmi
15 years agoboizeau
15 years agostrudeldog_gw
15 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agoalan haigh
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agoalan haigh
15 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
15 years agoalan haigh
15 years agodirkblaze
15 years agobrandon7 TN_zone7
15 years agomilehighgirl
15 years agoBeemer
13 years ago
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