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New Brunswick

I am wondering what to use as mulch around my pumpkin plants....straw or wood bark mulch. We bought a yard and a half of the bark mulch at a local nursery today for my flower beds. Has anyone used this around your pumpkins? Last year I used straw and have lots of that...but was wondering which is best? Thanks for any info, Sue

6/13/2004 3:31:00 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

The Bark mulch will decrease your Nitrogen, which you can supplement for. A good mulch also allows places for small things to live. This may not be a "Good Thing". Most people opt for the Dirt Mulch, and weed frequently with a good hoe.

6/13/2004 6:06:34 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Maybe this is a stupid question with a real simple answer that I just don't get, but; how does the bark use nitrogen from the soil when it's on top of the ground?

6/13/2004 7:03:46 PM

[email protected]

It doesn't get it all. And not all bark mulches use N anyway. Softwood mulches that are high in aromatic oils (think Cedar here) resist decay. So their N needs are insignificant. And the aromatic oils in Cedar repell insects. So.....beside the possibility of mice, I can't think of a good argument to not try Cedar.

Just avoid hardwood mulches like the plague. They wick & draft Nitrogen like crazy & absolutely do attract some pests & vermin.

6/13/2004 7:26:59 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I shoulda just picked up the phone and called you, or asked yesterday when I had the chance.....That question has bugged me for over a year, thanks.

6/13/2004 8:40:28 PM

New Brunswick

Thanks...I have already loaded it on my flower beds but guess I will use straw around the pumpkins. The mulch I have, came from a nursery BUT...they used to get their bark from a local hardwood pulp and paper mill and then mulch it. (where hubby worked before he retired) soooo if that is the case it is hardwood mulch and not cedar. Last year I had great luck with the oat straw and as the old saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I have barn cats parading over the straw daily and they keep the mice non existant....so straw will be the mulch choice for me. So gotta go mulch and post pics in my diary. Thanks again, Sue

6/14/2004 8:18:58 AM

New Brunswick

I called the nursery where I got the mulch...and it is not hardwood but spruce tree bark mulch. Is that stuff ok to use around my plants? I know it is great for flowers but pumpkins??? They did not know.

6/15/2004 10:58:49 PM