Pine Bark Mulch (Shredded) As Base For Container Plants
14 years ago
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- 14 years ago
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Substitute shredded pine for pine bark?
Comments (17)I understand your frustration, Kathleen. I have been able to find all of the products (well, with some "authorized" substitutes) for the gritty mix, but have been unable to find the pine bark fines for the 5:1:1 mix. I can't find pine bark mulch or shredded pine bark mulch here. I haven't checked at Walmart, but according to Walmart's web site, my local Walmarts don't sell ANY sort of mulch, just various Miracle-Gro bagged products. None of the big box stores in my area have pine bark mulch; they do sell pine bark nuggets, but those, of course, are way too big. In fact, none of the nurseries in the area at which I have checked sell pine bark mulch, either - it used to be available, but I haven't seen it in the last few years. Shredded cedar mulch seems to be the mulch of choice around here - there's plenty of that! I haven't been able to find any sort of pine bark soil conditioner, either. I guess we both just live in the wrong parts of the USA to make finding the supplies easy - or even possible! And the cost of shipping if ordering supplies on line would be prohibitive - I can't even contemplate doing so because I don't have the $$$ to spare. I have read some posts where people say that the Repti-Bark can be used for both mixes, but this product is definitely not partially composted so I have my doubts that this is what Al meant should be used in his 5:1:1 mix. Here is a quote from a post Al made in 2009 in reference to the bark in this mix: I like bark best, and the best size for the 5:1:1 mix is sawdust to 1/4" pieces and partially composted, with most of the particles concentrated in the 1/16-3/16 size. I'm NOT suggesting you go out looking for bark that fits this description, but it will give you an idea of what works best. Sigh. Holly...See Morepine bark mulch and micronutrient powder
Comments (4)Anyone who has ever used pinebark fines in their potting mix will never use anything else. Bark fines have been used for decades in the container nursery industry....it's just relatively recently that the public has been searching them out. The mini bark nuggets are too large for this purpose. Some of the big box stores are carrying a bagged product that is perfect but you'll just have to look around. Someone on the container forum showed the bag not too long ago. You might want to look around over in that forum. We are using these conifer bark fines as a main ingredient in our potting soil, not as a mulch. Since conifer bark breaks down very slowly, we don't expect it to add nutrients to our mix. Not any more than we would the peat moss that is so commonly used in the typical potting medium. But bark fines certainly don't 'use' nitrogen, either. Fresh WOOD chips, but not bark. Very different. Remember, we aren't trying to improve a garden soil, but to make a highly porous, fast-draining, sturdy potting mix. The micronutrient powder is up to you. There are many products on the market, but you may have to order it on-line. Look for a simple granular fertilizer with minor elements. Those aren't hard to find. The labeling will clearly state if the product contains 'minor elements' 'micro nutrients','trace elements'. Some organic fertilizers simply don't work very efficiently in such a potting mix. A strong presence of microorganisms need to exist in order to make the elements within the fertilizers available to plants. A typical potting medium (whether it's bark or peat based) doesn't have (nor need) the microherd. There ARE some soluble organic products, though, if that's what you are looking for. Most of us are happiest with a fertilizer product with micronutrients for containers....See Moreshredded mulch or pine straw?
Comments (17)Hello Jill: Here in the hot, sunny Sand Hills area of NC, I use pine bark fines (small, shreded pine bark). It is plentiful and not too expensive. It is great for the soil as it breaks down easily and improves the soil. It helps keep the roots cooler in our sometimes 100 degree weather and I think that it discourages visitors such as slugs and sometimes the stinking geese that like to trample through my yard. 'Round here, pine needles are free but I don't like them because of the bugs that consider them home - little red bugs AKA "chiggers" and if you have EVER sat on pine needles, you will NEVER forget it. They are cousins to other unmentionable critters and the red bumps are where they have laid eggs - 'nough said on that! And Larry (sweatin in ga) is right about the nitrogen issue, but the usual application of 18-6-12 granular fertilizer solves that problem. Hope this helps! Renee...See MoreWhich is Better at Building the Soil - Pine Bark Mulch or Cedar Mulch?
Comments (6)Neither of them is going to contribute much to the soil short term. Both are very durable materials (provided what species tree the "cedar" actually comes from - too many different conifers are referred to as "cedar", of which most are not) and used as mulch will take considerable time (several years) to break down/decompose enough to the point they release nutrients back into the soil. btw, wood chip or bark mulches do not rob nitrogen from the soil. That is a tough to kill garden myth :-) Nitrogen tie up (not robbing or stealing) occurs during decomposition of the wood product by soil organisms and only happens if the wood product is incorporated into the soil, not if left on the soil surface as a mulch. And is of minimal consequence to established woody plants, like any fruit trees. It is also only a temporary condition, resulting in a net release of N long term. If you want a fast acting mulch that will encourage soil improvement and biological activity, mulch with compost or composted manure. You will get an almost immediate effect. You can always bark over the top if you want a more long term appearance....See More- 14 years ago
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