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).

All natural mulches break down over time, so they need to be renewed. There is no need to dig it into the soil in the fall. Usually, by fall it is time to top up or add to the summer mulch in order to provide that winter protection. By spring, that layer will be deteriorated and in early summer you may need to add more again. You may mix and match mulching materials depending on what you have available.

When tulips first appear, remove half of the mulch and the remaining mulch 10 to 14 days later. The new growth will be okay if the temp dips to 20 degrees F for three consecutive nights. If it is colder than that, re-mulch and remove when temp warms up again. During years of late frosts after the blooms are set, you may lose the blooms for that year, but the plant will come back the next spring.

Many Dinner Done entr??es can go straight from the freezer to the oven. For those that will need to be thawed first, there are three safe ways to defrost food: in cold water, in the microwave or in the refrigerator. Thawing on the kitchen counter, or at room temperature is not a safe way of defrosting food.

All mulches help conserve moisture, retard weed growth and provide an attractive appearance in the landscape. Simply choose the mulch that you feel looks the best. Merrifield Garden Center's shredded mulch is our most popular seller, but any of our good quality mulches will do the trick. In some situations there may be practical considerations; for example, mulch chips or nuggets are not ideal for hillsides or slopes for they can spill out of the beds more easily.

Mulch after the ground has two to four inches of frost. Mulching is required to prevent the roots from heaving in late winter to early spring while the ground is thawing and re-freezing.

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.

Specialty qualifications expire on the last day of the 24th month from the date the previous qualification was attained. Have participated in at least one mission (actual or training) in the previous 2 years in each specialty (or interchangeable specialty) for which renewal is requested. Have completed the tasks required on the current Mission Essential Task List (METL) for the specialty qualification as applicable within the previous 2 years.

BOB: Since Hurricane Katrina, people have been concerned about Formosan termites arriving locally in mulch products. After all they say, Formosan termites don't need soil to survive, they only need wood and a source of water. On the other hand, most experts feel the Formosan termites can't survive outside the southern climes.

The best thing to do is probably bag it up and take it to a landfill. At least it’s organic and will rot away. Make sure you don’t put the infested mulch somewhere where you could be held responsible for someone else’s artillery fungus problem. This is out of my field, but it has been suggested that the infested mulch could be put in a yard waste-composting facility. But you really need to ask this question to a “compost expert.

Wood mulch is used around trees, shrubs, landscape plants and flower beds to help reduce weeds, conserve moisture and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. Gradually wood mulch breaks down slowly and adds organic matter to the soil. Generally, a mulch layer of 2-4 inches will reduce weeds, conserve moisture, and make for an attractive appearance around shrubs and trees. When mulching around trees, remember to keep mulch approximately six inches from the tree trunk.

Mulch is a layer of protective covering that sits above your soil. A mulch is good under your roses for several reasons. First, it helps to hold down the growth of weeds. Second, it helps to keep the water from evaporating out of the soil. Third, it helps to keep the temperature even and insulates it from both excess heat or cold. Fourth, it makes earthworms stay at a higher level in the soil where they do more good for the soil improvement.