Ask The Expert
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.
We have a huge native pecan tree in our backyard in Austin, Texas that shades the entire year. It is about 75 feet tall. We are currently in a drought and we do not water regularly around the tree nor do we fertilize regularly. There does not seem to be a visual bad effects from this neglect but should we start caring for the tree more actively? They produce nuts every other year and are small but tasty.
1/5/20099:51:59 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Most of the time people are prone to overwatering rather than underwatering. However, in the current drought it might not be a bad idea to water very occasionally to make sure the tree survives, especially if it is an old and valuable tree. Water deeply (slow drip applied over a number of hours) at or near the dripline of the tree. Most of the feeder roots are located out away from the trunk. Do this no more than once a month.Mulching around the tree to a depth of 3"-4" is the single best thing you can do to promote tree health. This will moderate soil temperatures, help prevent soil compaction, and help greatly with water retention. Mulch should not come into contact with the trunk. Mulch as far out as you are willing to go--as far as the dripline is best.A regular fertilization program is helpful to maximize productivity on any fruit or nut tree. A helpful article is located at http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=1957.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.DOES MULCH HAVE PESTICIDES IN IT? ' IF YOU MIX LEAVES AND BARK WILL THERE BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH BUGS?
11/18/200811:12:22 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Whether or not mulch has pesticides in it depends on the source. We recommend only mulching with materials if you know where they come from and are sure they don't have exposure to any undesirable chemicals. Our Garden-Ville products are free of chemicals or pesticides. We've got several varieties of mulch to suit a variety of applications. Bugs are generally not more of a problem with mulch then without. Some customers report that our cedar mulch actually repels bugs.
Our mulch products are listed here: http://www.garden-ville.com/6451190_36600.htm. All mulch products are available in bulk quantities as well.DOES MULCH HAVE PESTICIDES IN IT? ' IF YOU MIX LEAVES AND BARK WILL THERE BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH BUGS?
11/18/200811:11:55 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Whether or not mulch has pesticides in it depends on the source. We recommend only mulching with materials if you know where they come from and are sure they don't have exposure to any undesirable chemicals. Our Garden-Ville products are free of chemicals or pesticides. We've got several varieties of mulch to suit a variety of applications. Bugs are generally not more of a problem with mulch then without. Some customers report that our cedar mulch actually repels bugs.
Our mulch products are listed here: http://www.garden-ville.com/6451190_36600.htm. All mulch products are available in bulk quantities as well.How many yards of loose mulch do i need to cover 10000 sqft area about 2". Thank you
10/1/200811:32:21 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
62 cubic yard is needed to mulch a 10,000 sq.ft. area 2 inches deep.
We have an area in our yard that is approximately 20 x 30 feet where grass will not grow. Even our St. Augustine will not creep over into this area. It has fairly new top soil that we bought to level out that area and to cover some large pine tree roots that had surfaced. The soil kit we bought shows the PH is fine. We've tried grass for sun/shade areas/shady areas/dense shade areas to no avail. Any advice would be appreciated.
9/15/20082:19:01 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Pine needles inhibit the growth of pretty much anything else, including grass and ground cover. If this area is under pine trees I'd recommend mulching around the trees rather than trying to grow anything.
I have mulch all around my house and patio area. Everyday the robins make a big mess searching for worms.I'm tired of cleaning up after them . Any suggestions. thanks
8/28/20084:09:02 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
You can spread a bird netting canopy over the beds there is also another product on the market called the Scare Crow http://www.bird-x.com/products/scarecrow.html, animals like cats and dogs will also help to keep the birds away.
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.
Dear Amy, Does mulch contain insecticides? Thanks. Eric
7/22/20083:27:23 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
We do not mix our mulches with insecticides, however the oil in the cedar mulch has natural insect repelling qualities to it.
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
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.
I have a question about weather to use hardwood or softwoods compost around the plants next to the foundation of the house
4/8/200810:22:35 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Lou,Some people are hesitant to use hardwood mulch around their foundation due to the possibility of termites, cedar mulch is a good product to use since the cedar oil in the mulch is a natural insect repellent. When choosing a mulch make sure that you are familiar with where the mulch comes from, we have a hardwood mulch that we "cook" in large piles to kill off any insects or weed seeds to ensure a top quality product for home owners.
Categories
- 20% Vinegar
- 6-2-2
- 7-2-2
- Anti Fuego
- Beneficial Nematodes
- Bermuda Grass
- Buffalo Grass
- Cedar Mulch
- Compost
- Container Planting
- Corn meal
- Fertilizer
- Garden-Ville Organic Insecticide
- Gardens
- Greensand
- Insect Control
- Landscape Questions
- Lawn Questions
- Liquid Seaweed
- Living Mulch
- Molasses
- mulch
- Natural Weed Control
- Neem Oil
- Plant Questions
- Potassium Bicarbonate
- Premium Compost
- Product Questions
- Rock phosphate
- Rocket Fuel
- Rose Food
- Rose Soil
- Sandy Loam
- Sea Tea
- Sick Tree Treatment
- Soil Questions
- St. Augustine
- Sulfur
- Tree Questions
- Tree Trunk Goop
- Turfmaster
- Weed Control
- Zoysia
