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Our knowledgeable staff here at Garden-Ville are available to answer many of the questions you might have about gardens, landscaping, and trees. Many problems with plants, however, cannot be responsibly diagnosed other than in person. We're located in central Texas and may not be familiar with the details of gardening in very different climate or soil zones. One of the guiding principles of organic growing is adapting methods to the particularites of local soil and climate. With that in mind we'll do our best to answer your question, but if we can't we'll be happy to help you find the appropriate resources or professionals in your area.

Feel free to browse the topics below to see if we've already answered a question similar to yours. If you can't find the information you need, the question submission form is located at the bottom of the page.

  • I live in Central Texas and our back-yard has many oak trees. I have mulched the entire area once a year, but wondering if it is becoming too thick for trees. Can I rake some layers of mulch away, and spread it on my lawn (then run a lawnmower over it)?

    11/23/200811:42:15 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Lawn Questions, Living Mulch, mulch, Tree Questions

    It depends on what you're using to mulch the area and how much you add each year. Optimal mulch depth is 3-4". More than that is only called for to protect trees in extremely high traffic areas (construction sites, for example). If you're using a long lasting mulch such as hardwood you may not need to add it every year, or only add an inch or so. There's be natural compaction, some erosion (depending on the site), and gradual decay of old mulch into the soil. I would recommend using our Living Mulch for annual applications. This is a 50/50 mix of compost and shredded hardwood. The advantage of this product is that the compost will feed the trees, whereas a straight hardwood mulch is nearly all carbon and doesn't provide much in the way of nourishment to the soil.

     

    If you have been using a wood mulch I wouldn't recommend applying it to the lawn as you described. The reason is that there is so little nitrogen in the wood itself that it will actually pull nitrogen out of the soil as it decays, which can be detrimental to the lawn. Compost is a much better option for lawn top dressing--our Alamo Gro is great for this, and this is the right time of year to make the application.

  • I have St. Augustine grass and the edges seem to be burning out and there are definite patches of thatch...which I did rake and get a lot out but obviously it has left brown spots and patches. What can I do to repair these areas of my lawn? Also, I have several flower beds that I would like to raise, just as a matter of time deterioration...so what is best to use to raise these and get nutrients back to the soil? Mulch...that's what one of my neighbors is doing now. I also get LOTS of weeds in all my bed areas...but then we have a lot of birds around here, too. How do you figure out how much you need? Thanks in advance.

    7/22/20083:32:35 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Fertilizer, Living Mulch, mulch, Plant Questions

    For your yard keep it watered and fertilize it with an organic fertilizer and in the fall spread a half inch layer of compost on the lawn to condition the soil. For the beds either buy a compost and mulch mix (living mulch) or mix compost and mulch yourself. The compost and mulch mixed together will break down better than mulch alone naturally building up the soil levels in the beds. For the weeds in your beds you can spot treat with vinegar or hand pull them.

  • I have extensive native plant beds and have not mulched in three years . I have only bare soil remaining due to leaf removal (lawn service). Should I add a layer of compost or mulch and can I order it delivered (6 cu yd)?

    5/12/200812:29:04 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Living Mulch, mulch

    If you have bare soil around your plants you can put a 3" layer of our Living Mulch around them. The Living Mulch is a mixture of mulch and compost, so you can do both applications at one time saving you time and the extra expense of a separate delivery fee for both products. We do offer delivery from our stores, if you are in the San Antonio area  call 210-651-6115, San Marcos area 512-754-0060, Austin area 512-219-5311.

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