mulch help

[willl]

In your profesional opinion what is the best landscaping mulch to provide for a plant and also for good weed control without hurting the plants around.

I have been given mixed opinions on the subject about the best. Alot say to provide a 2 - 4 inch organic mulch without any landscaping fabric underneath and others say that landscaping fabric is just fine to use with the 2 - 4 inch organic mulch ontop. Most say though that organic mulch is preferable over the inorganic though (rocks etc). I mean the landscaping fabric that you buy in rolls that has holes or other in them and provide the ground some air and water. What is your profesional opinion. Thanks.

[Advanced Lawncare]

There are advantages and disadvantages to everything listed. I will give my thoughts but you will find that this is a debate and it mostly depends on what you want and like.

Lanscape fabric - I use it on rock beds, but i tend to not use it with organic or rubber mulch. It makes clean up easier if you later decide to get away from rock. As far as weeds some will argue that it reduces weeds, however from what i have seen it really does not matter you are going to have weeds come up reguardless. (the seeds / stolens will get in on top of the fabric no matter what you do).

The advantage of organic mulch is that it will break down and add nutrients and organic matter to the underlying soil. The disadvantages are that it does break down and will have to have some added from time to time. Another effect of organic mulch is that it uses Nitrogen to breakdown so you may need to add some fertilizer from time to time. Adding mulch and N are really not that big of a deal and only needed once or twice per year.

The advantages of rock are that you rarely have to replace. Some disadvantages are that it will provide no nutrient value, provides no organic matter to underlying soil that could lead to compaction and cause problems with water absorbing and stress plants.

Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. I normally recommend that people go with what is going to give them the look that they want. Both are going to require some maint to keep healthy plants.

IMO

Ted

[ODDJOB]

I started using Preen, which is a weed control/fertilizer. The unique property of it is, that it dosen't kill weeds, if prevents the seeds from germinating. Which makes it a possible choice under landscape fabric as well as organic matter. More info at www.preen.com