Cocoa Shell Mulch

Some of the benefits to using cocoa shell mulch are

• Cocoa mulch is 100% organic and is obtained from natural sources for use as ground cover and a soil conditioner.
• Unlike fresh bark mulch products, it doesn’t use up nitrogen levels from the ground.
• Cocoa mulch is very lightweight, clean to handle and spreads easily while dispersing a pleasant, natural aroma. It's pH is 5.4 and it has a fertility of N.P.K. 2-0.2-3.
• Cocoa mulch has a crisp, brown texture that enhances the appearance of any border, landscape or garden design.
• After watering cocoa mulch, a natural gum is activated that binds the shells into a loosely-knitted porous mat, which holds the moisture in the soil, suppresses weed growth and stays in place during most rain and windstorms.
• There are no known unsightly or hazardous fungi growth on or in cocoa mulch.
• The natural texture of the mulch may help to reduce damage to plants by deterring slugs and snails.  It also has the uncanny ability to deter most cats!
• As it breaks down, cocoa mulch produces long term humus and improves soil structure. A covering of 1 to 2 inches can be topped-off semi-annually with smaller quantities to maintain weed control and soil quality.
• Cocoa mulch is available in bags of 4 cubic feet, which covers approximately 44 square feet and 2 cubic feet, which covers approximately 24 square feet.
• Cocoa mulch can be applied anywhere in your garden and is particularly suitable for Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other acid-loving plants.
• Cocoa mulch is a natural product and is derived from the cocoa plant.  It fully recycles itself back into the soil without disturbing the natural balance.
• Cocoa mulch is selected and screened for impurities.

Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a natural, organic soil conditioner that regulates moisture and air around plant roots for ideal growing conditions.  Some of the benefits to using peat moss include

• Saving water.  Peat retains up to 20 times its weight in moisture and releases water slowly as plants need it.
• Aerate heavy, clay soil. Peat moss allows for proper root growth by loosening and aerating soils.
• Bind sandy soil. By adding body to sandy soil, peat moss helps it retain moisture and nutrients.
• Reduce leaching. Peat moss reduces leaching of nutrients in or added to the soil, releasing them over time. This will save on fertilizer.
• Protect soil.  Peat moss protects soil from hardening and adds organic material.
• Make better compost. Peat moss speeds the composting process, reduces odors and controls air and water in the compost pile.
• Peat moss decomposes slowly over several years compared to compost, which typically decomposes within one year.  It has a reliable pH (3.4 to 4.8); is environmentally friendly and free of insects, weeds, seeds, salts and chemicals, and represents good value (bale compression means you get approximately two bales in one!).  It's the ideal growing medium for your gardening needs.

Pine bark mulch is a less-expensive alternative to some other types of mulch and decorative landscaping accents.  Your landscaping or yardscaping can become more exciting, more colorful and more beautiful by using pine bark mulch around your trees and shrubs, on your flower beds, on walkways, in playgrounds or anywhere you can think to put nature's greatly versatile material to work.

Some of the advantages of using pine bark mulch include

• 100 percent organic, decomposes into humus.
• Will not affect acidity of soil.
• Helps regulate soil temperature.
• Helps control moisture content in soil.
• Improves the soil texture.
• Eliminates water and wind erosion.
• Won't crust, blow away or wash away.
• Helps keep weeds from growing.
• Lasts longer than pine straw.
• Will not overtax soil's nitrogen.
• Graded and sized for consistent quality.
• True soil amendment.
• Keeps its color longer than any other mulch.
• A great additive for the potting soil market.
• Pine Bark Mulch can be used in walkways, jogging trails and playgrounds as well. The possibilities are limitless!

Country clubs and golf courses around the U.S. have switched from other types of mulch to pine bark mulch and have found it to be a much superior product.  The cost of use is cut in half by a few factors

• One, more coverage can be obtained from mulch versus straw.
• Two, mulch is less expensive.
• Three, pine bark mulch lasts longer which erases total replacement cost in the future.

Another advantage of pine bark mulch is the fine surface it provides for the golfer compared to thin turf, exposed tree roots or rocks.  Covering these areas with pine bark mulch helps prevent wrist injuries and club damage.

In comparing pine bark mulch and turf grass, mulch acts as an insulator, buffering the soil from rapid temperature changes and extremes.  Conversely, turf grass competes for solid nitrogen and water and allows greater soil temperature extremes. Numerous studies have shown that grass competition reduces, and mulch increases top growth of trees as compared to trees grown in bare soil.

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