Spread the mulch in an even layer up to but not touching the base of the plant. Piling mulch around the stalk or trunk will rot the plants' base, possibly killing the plant. A pitchfork is a good investment for spreading all but the finest textured mulch, while a straight metal rake is good for mid-season fluffing to restore color.

No. Apply mulch when necessary to maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer. Any thicker layer of mulch may cause problems. Raking the mulch will give it a new look.

No. Our installers are careful not to blow directly onto the more delicate plants. We would prefer that your annuals are planted two weeks prior to installation, but in any case, we are always accommodating. We clean up, if there is any, over-spray before we leave. The exception is when the building and/or sidewalk are wet from sprinklers or rain. We will do the best we can with our blowers though you may choose to wash some areas with a hose.

YES. It is Non-Toxic and Non-Staining for all plants. In fact, it helps retain vital moisture in the ground and provides excellent drainage for use around plants. In addition, it's a natural insulator to protect your plants in very hot or very cold weather.

Mulch is not required but it is often beneficial. Three inches is plenty. Wait until the ground cools down. Contrary to popular notions, mulching over bulbs is meant to retain soil moisture and keep the ground temperatures cool and stable, not to serve as a "warm winter blanket" (except in the very coldest climates). Mulch just before the ground freezes.

Approximately 2Ó-3Ó of mulch should be applied to garden beds, but remember to taper the mulch back to ground level as you get near the trunk of the plant.

Yes. However, wait until the soil has a chance to warm up. Maintaining a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch is all that is necessary.

We tested 27 mulches in the field, and found that some supported more artillery fungus than others. In this study, resistant mulch was the large pine bark nuggets. The large bark nuggets stay hard and dry, conditions that the artillery fungus does not like. Cypress mulch also performed well, as it probably contains some anti-fungal, anti-decay chemical(s).

Interestingly, homeowners that put down new mulch each year generally have less of the artillery fungus problem. But, we have not confirmed this practice. But it does seem to work. Don't miss a year!

You really need to ask this question to a compost expert, but most good mulch today is composted to some degree. However, I would insist on a thoroughly composted mulch.

Granular fertilizers are more persistent in the soil; they are absorbed more slowly and last longer. They can be incorporated into the soil at planting or they can also be broadcast onto the surface of the soil of existing plants. Super phosphate, frequently lacking in western soils, is essential for plentiful flowers and strong root growth. Grow Power is an excellent all-purpose fertilizer especially for lawns. It should be worked into the soil when planting turf and ornamental grasses.

Free mulch for residential use is available at the Solid Waste Complex, 1701 N. Hercules Ave., and Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Ln. Please bring a shovel and containers. For hours, please call (727) 562-4920. For full information on free mulch in Pinellas County, call the hotline at (727) 464-7500. Mulch at collection centers is for residential use only. For pick up of bulk quantities or commercial use, please call (727) 464-7500. Back to Top

In most cases, no, you should not cover your plants for the wintertime. A protective mulch (salt marsh hay, pine boughs, straw, etc.) can be applied after the ground is frozen, and removed with the first thaw. Here in the Midwest that is very hard to do - since we typically have a December thaw, a January thaw, and Feb. and March thaws. The biggest killer of perennials is having the crown of the plant smother (or rot) in the late winter/ early spring.

Mulch is a product that is placed on top of the soil for protection of the plants, to retain moisture, or for beautification. It can range from fresh organic material to well composted organic material.

You can use a sprinkler can for applying to the soil or a backpack sprayer or a sprayer that has a nozzle that will not clog to do a foliar spray (see below). The backpack sprayers have a different type of nozzle that will not clog when applying compost tea.

The PLANTS database contains native and naturalized plants of the PLANTS Floristic Area (PFA), which consists of North America and all additional U.S. territories and protectorates. Vascular plant distributions are mapped at the state and province level, and by U.S. county. Our checklists for the non-vascular mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens cover all of North America north of Mexico; no additional distribution data are available for these plants.

We prefer that our customers remove and/or transplant any exterior plant material before we begin work.

Plants can carry diseases into a tank, too. It is a good idea to disinfect new plants if there were fish in the tank with them at the store. Refer to the PLANT FAQ for disinfection methods.

Please treat hardiness zone ratings on perennials as a best guess, but only a guess. Many factors influence plant survivability: reliable snow cover, wind swept location, proximity of structures, depth of soil, just to name a few.

We are one of the last nurseries on a national scale which propagates, grows, and then ships its own material. We do buy in some of our stock, but basically it is all done here.