Shuould I just till in my pecan shell mulch?
mesquiteman
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
paleogardener
10 years agoklem1
10 years agoRelated Discussions
List of Mulches - which one is best?
Comments (20)I'd avoid any mulch made from whole trees ground down for mulch. That's the problem with the cypress, the swamps are being logged specifically to grind the trees into mulch. I was just reading about Louisiana allowing private landowners to clearcut their cypress stands at the same time the state is asking for billions of federal tax dollars to restore wetlands. It's positively insane; cypress swamps are known to protect against storms surges and presumably would be some of what would be restored at great expense to us federal taxpayers, while private landowners are profiting from creating the problem. But, any other wood mulch created from whole trees will be just as bad, like the cedar listed. Why cut down a perfectly good tree just to make mulch out of it?? Mulches created from mill waste are fine; mulches from ground up trimmings are fine; mulches from bark are fine so long as the tree was being cut primarily for the wood and the bark is a byproduct. What species of tree will be best depends on what grows locally. Cypress mulch might be fine if you live right next to a cypress mill. I live in Doug-fir and western hemlock territory, so that's what I get. In California, redwood bark and eucalyptus mulch are readily available, but it would be silly to ship them elsewhere. Texas has lots of oak and pine, which we don't have here. Texas should have lots of local pecans too I would think. If I lived in pecan growing territory, I'd use it. I used to live in California, and I used mulches made from rice hulls as it's one of the major crops in NorCal, and makes a good cheap mulch. As far as helping the soil, you want something that will break down and add organic matter - compost, leaf mold, tree trimmings. Barks and woods don't really add much, they're used where people don't want it breaking down....See MoreUsing tiny paper shavings? Pecan shell mulch?
Comments (5)Tilled in the paper would not be mulch and would not do much to block weeds (although it might have other benefits depending on what you are planning to do with your soil and what your soil is like). I have successfully used shredded paper as mulch but it helps to wet it a bit or put something on it to weigh it down so it doesn't blow away. Sometimes the shredded paper can turn into something like paper mache which does not breathe as well (although the "paper mache" doesn't happen to have done much, if any, harm in my projects). Newspapers or cardboard are a little better as weed blockers than shredded paper but since you have shredded paper to use give it a try or use a combination of the options....See MorePecan shells? usable for lasagne? green/brown?
Comments (7)When we have pecan shells I put them in my beds and they are gone in no time. They're not nearly as thick as bark mulch so they breakdown quicker. Any little pieces of the pecan meat will feed the herd as well. I have one pecan tree that has tiny pecans which we do not try to harvest. They add to the mulch in the cottage bed under the tree. Usually I have a family of squirrels in that tree and they either eat these or bury them for next year and I end up with lots of new pecan trees...but my squirrels have been absent...expect my neighbor has trapped them and killed them. Peggy...See MoreAre pecan tassels OK in my compost bin?
Comments (2)Thanks for your input. I figured it would be okay, but wasn't really sure. There's so many tassels this year that they're going to be a great addition to my compost. My garden here in Austin went in late this year, so all my compost will be put to great use trying to speed up the growth before the summer heat hits us...See Moremesquiteman
10 years agoKimmsr
10 years agoericka norris
10 months agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 months ago
Related Stories
FUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time
Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOME9 Smells You Actually Want in Your Home
Boost memory, enhance sleep, lower anxiety ... these scents do way more than just smell good
Full StoryLIFEHow to Outsmart Backyard Critters
Learn to think like a raccoon, skunk or squirrel to keep your home safe and your garden intact
Full StoryFALL GARDENING7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN5 Gravel and Stone Types for a Rockin' Landscape
Give your garden design some textural bam with pebbles, granite, river rocks and other permeable materials
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDMy Houzz: Backyard Farming for a Kansas City Family
A backyard garden provides a family of 5 with organic seasonal produce. Here's how they do it
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard
End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain
Full StorySAVING WATERXeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water
Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles
Full Story
lazy_gardens