Comments on: Mulching Your Garden: What to Use & How to Use it

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:55:34 +0000

In reply to Margaret Chang. Both can work. Don't mix them into the bed (will tie up nitrogen). Make sure both are chemical free before using. Buy rice hulls from a supplier that publishes a heavy‑metal analysis or sells “PBH” (parboiled rice hull) specifically for horticulture.

By: Margaret Chang

Margaret Chang — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 03:53:07 +0000

I recently bought rice hulls for mulch. They are smaller in size and easy to spread in the bed and less messy, but kind of expensive. I saw pine shavings normally used in the horse stall for bedding at the feed store. Any concern for rice hulls or pine shavings as mulch?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:45:02 +0000

In reply to Whitney. Yes. We have more roaches. I do feel like there is a natural ecosystem that develops and if you let them other predators will help keep populations in check. I do let my chickens out if I come upon a bunch of them to help take care of them. They are great at eating cockroaches.

By: Whitney

Whitney — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:29:17 +0000

Hi Angela,
Thanks for commenting back so fast with all my questions, it has been super helpful here in St. George. My husband and I are trying to start some permaculture in an area of our backyard. It will be mulched and I am afraid it will bring in the roaches. Have you experienced more nests or infestations with mulch all over the ground?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:54:23 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Hi Michael – I use wood chip mulch for the most part. For some of the lighter crops like carrots I use a lightweight straw https://collabs.shop/mhecuh

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:57:02 +0000

Have you found a favorite mulch/cover? It seems from your posts and videos you use straw but I also see wood chips. Do you have a specific plan or reason for using one or the other?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 04:48:47 +0000

In reply to Jacki. I use wood chips as well. If you can, pull back (or remove) the wood chip mulch before adding more compost, etc. Then put the mulch back on top.

By: Jacki

Jacki — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 15:54:45 +0000

Should mulch in garden beds be removed before preparing the beds before planting? Should I mix it into the soil? I use small pieces of bark from chip drop.
Thank you!

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 21:02:03 +0000

For a truck load of mulch for$30, check out Tempe AZ recycled compost.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 00:14:53 +0000

In reply to Jared. Possibly. If you have had a problem in the past, I would check with the exterminator that helped you previously.

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:39:10 +0000

Can mulching the entire yard area like you have done attract termites? We paid a lot to get rid of an infestation. I’d hate to have to go through that again.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 22:52:38 +0000

In reply to Lesley. You may want to go ahead and apply the mulch when you are seeding - maybe thin it out a bit around the seedling as it emerges.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 19:28:09 +0000

If we shouldnt put mulch down until the plants are a few inches tall, then what do you suggest forkeeping soil moist if I am direct seeding during the summer?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 21:26:54 +0000

In reply to Nancy.

I got mine at an antique store years ago, but this is a similar one on Armazon. https://amzn.to/3wfWEgc

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 17:49:51 +0000

It looks like you have a feed scoop in the wheelbarrow in the first photo – can you please share which one it is and where you got it? Thanks