by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last week we looked at clear plastic so this week we are going to take a brief look at specialty plastic mulches. These plastic mulches share many of the benefits and negatives of regular black and clear plastic mulches and they are different in some...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last week we looked at black plastic so this week we are going to look at clear plastic. There are many similarities between the two but also some differences. Clear plastic can be used to warm the soil in spring as black plastic and should be...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson I overheard a customer asking about termites and mulch the other day, so let’s talk about this issue. INSECTS, PESTS AND DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH MULCH: All organic mulches attract insects. The good news is that in organic or living mulches...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last Saturday at the Woodlands Landscaping Solutions garden event I was asked by several people how they could economically improve their soil on large acreages. We can do this by using what is known as Living Mulches. Depending on the goal it is...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson This week we continue with gardening issues associated with mulch. Remember that many types of mulch develop various types of fungus on its surface as it decays. A few common types are artillery fungus, bird’s nest fungus, slime molds, puff...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson This week we continue with gardening issues associated with mulch. Previously we talked about the colored and ashen mulches being sold in and around Houston. Last week I was asked if I could go into more detail as to why and how the barks and the...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Mulch made from fresh ground trees can also cause problems in some cases. In fresh wood there is an abundance of soluble carbon compounds that can accumulate in the soil as the fresh wood chips break down. Many beneficial microorganisms only...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson ast week we talked about Redwood mulches available in Houston area and along the Gulf Coast. This week we are going to look at the best type of mulch “Native Mulch”. For years gardening experts have claimed that this was the best mulch...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson This week we are going to continue to look at the best type of mulch called “Native Mulch”. Native Mulch (fresh ground) – This mulch comes directly out of the grinder. It does not have any processing or screening on it. It tends to...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last week we looked at gravel and stone mulches. This week we are going to look at the second largest class of inorganic mulch, plastic. Clear or black plastic can be used to warm the soil in spring but should be removed to prevent the growth of...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last week we talked about Cedar mulches available in Houston area and along the Gulf Coast. This week we are going to look at Redwood mulches.Redwood mulches are available in two forms, bark (shredded or nuggets) and shredded wood. Redwood mulches...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson I was reading another study this morning from Yale University where they were testing the crumb rubber that is used to make rubber mulch and used in sports fields with artificial turf. The crushed tires are used as padding under the synthetic turf...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson This weekend as I was going through some of my gardening catalogs and making my wish list. I was thinking many or our readers might be interested in some of the mail order nurseries. Hence, these are some of my favorites. The Nursery at Ty Ty, LLC...
by John Ferguson | Mulch Articles
By: John Ferguson Last week we talked about a few other types of mulch that are available. This time we are going to continue our discussion on some of the other types of organic mulches a gardener may want encounter and want to use. Biodegradable Weed Barriers...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Worst Spring Mulches Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson In this column we are going to answer your questions on mulch. In the first issue we discussed the three best types of mulch hence this week we will look at the three worst types. Researchers have...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Wood Chip Mulches Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson Last week we talked about using compost as a mulch since we had some questions on the subject. This time we are going to continue our discussion on some of the other types of organic mulches a gardener...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Why Organic Mulches Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson This week I had a customer ask me why we recommend organic mulches over shredded tires or gravel. These have their place and will be discussed in future articles. Why Organic Mulches: Organic mulches...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Volcano Mulching Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson Since we have been discussing mulches it seems time to discuss the practice of pilling mulch up on the trunk of a tree that is commonly called “volcano mulching”. It is very harmful to the tree...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Utility Mulch Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson This is the 31st article on mulches and the last in the series for a while. Today I want to talk about a new type of mulch called “Utility Mulch”. This mulch is NOT for use in horticulture or...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Types of Mulches Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson This week we are going to start looking at the different types of mulches available in Houston and the Gulf Coast. Our understanding of the importance of biology and organics in soil and plant health has...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Toxic Mulch Syndrome Part 3 Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson It appears that the issue of toxic (sour) mulch has reappeared. This past weekend I heard Randy Lemon of Garden Line fame talking about sour mulches. I have talked with a couple new customers...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Toxic Mulch Syndrome Part 2 Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson In the last issue Brenda shared her experience using CHEAP mulch after hurricane Ike a few years ago when many of her plants then died. There are several possibilities why this may have...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Toxic Mulch Syndrome Part 1 Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson In the last issue Brenda shared her experience using CHEAP mulch after hurricane Ike a few years ago when many of her plants then died. There are several possibilities why this may have...
by natureswayrdev | Mulch Articles
John's Corner: Fire Risk Related to Mulch Mulch Corner By: John Ferguson This past week driving around town I noticed several grass fires related to the hot weather and drought. With the 4th of July holiday weekend upon us with fireworks celebrations, bar-b-ques, etc....
