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.

Double-ground wood mulch consists of tree parts, branches, brush and wood chips. The brush is ground up and then the wood chips are added and it is ground again resulting in a finely ground mulch.

Our choice over the last year has been new "Grade 'A' Eucalyptus Mulch from Aaction Mulch"! It provides the same functions of other mulches with these added benefits; aeoromatic eucalyptus aroma, resists many pests and insects, won't float away, and comes in a variety of colors.

Phone 973-631-5185 or 973-285-2928 and your order will be taken and a confirmation number provided. Orders will be accepted beginning March 21, 2007 and through September. Deliveries are for MORRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS only. Deliveries begin April 16, 2007 and continue through September.

Here are just a few: #1 you don’t have to chop wood! #2 they are much cheaper than propane #3 it’s easier to start a fire with pellets because they’re dryer than wood; #4 they don’t have bark or frozen ants on them #5 they are simple to use #6 they are sold nationwide #7 you won’t have an aching back from chopping wood and #8 pellets are better for the environment!

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.

Unmodified wood has 'free hydroxyl groups' that absorb and release water as climatic conditions change, making it prone to expansion and contraction, particularly when used outdoors (windows, doors, cladding, etc), which in turn leads to splitting and rotting.

Steel doors are low maintenance. Typically a wood door needs to be painted as frequently as the wood trim on your home due to weathering. Amarr steel doors are pre-painted and most are available in your choice of three colors. Wood doors are unfinished or primed, both of which need to be finish painted upon installation.

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.

Most of our Northern White Cedar is harvested from Vermont, with a small additional amount from the Adirondacks in New York.

Ned seems to have an affinity for hard maple, as nearly every model was first made in that hardwood. They were all pretty much changed to other offerings in the later Gibson years. We've combed through all of the old lit and here's our best guess so far (in order of introduction): P series - Hard maple, also listed as rock maple. Chances are this wood was used for it's entire, brief production run as a graphite neck model.

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.