wood chips vs pine straw--hire someone vs DIY--and other boring questions

[tomwed]

What to do--What to do,,,
If I could hire someone and have the chips put down it might be the way to go. I know the landscaper is probably buying the chips or pine straw for less money.

I don't really have much of an area to cover, maybe 400 sq feet.

And do you think wood chips look better than pine straw? maybe fancier?

Any advice is appreciated.

[Opmoochler]

I just took out wood chips in favor of stone. I was worried about termites, and the dog was chewing them up all over the yard.

[tomwed]

I just took out wood chips in favor of stone. I was worried about termites, and the dog was chewing them up all over the yard.
thank-you
i never thought about termites..i don't have a dog,,
that's what i love about posting a question on totv,,,

[jimbo2012]

I really doubt there's a termite issue, millions of homes in the US use them. :shrug:

If you were concerned you could use Cypress chips they are bug proof.

IMO chips look the best, and as they break down they add beneficial nutrients to the soil ie: roof of your plants/trees.

Stone does nothing, in fact some say they can over heat the roots & plants.

The chips can be raked to turn over once a year and look fresh.
Add new every 2-3 years.



.

[lanabanana73]

And I prefer the look of pine straw! It too is biodegradable and gives nutrients back to the soil. It's really about what type of look you prefer. I used Adam Neusbaum last year to refresh my straw. I believe it was $7/bale installed and they did a great job.

[Arctic Fox]

What to do--What to do If I could hire someone and have the chips put down it might be the way to go. I know the landscaper is probably buying the chips or pine straw for less money.I don't really have much of an area to cover, maybe 400 sq feet. And do you think wood chips look better than pine straw? maybe fancier.

Mrs Fox and I recently "pine strawed" an area of around 150 sq ft in a couple of hours. It took that long because we first put down water-soaked newspaper (four layers thick) to keep out the light to help prevent weeds.

Eventually both the newspaper and the pine straw will rot down as nutrients for the plants, and hopefully the plants will have grown to cover the whole area so that we won't need to repeat the operation.

We used four bales of pine straw, bought from Lowes, but you can buy it cheaper elsewhere in bulk if you have the means to transport it.

[Fraugoofy]

We were told by our vet that the pine straw used in The Villages is from Georgia and can contain ticks, which cause heartworm. We used stone (black slate) and love the unique look.

[Shimpy]

And I prefer the look of pine straw! It too is biodegradable and gives nutrients back to the soil. It's really about what type of look you prefer. I used Adam Neusbaum last year to refresh my straw. I believe it was $7/bale installed and they did a great job.

When I moved in 5 years ago and saw straw the first thing that came to my mind was fire hazard. It could be from a cigarette from the lawn crew or lightning. Though not likely I prefer rocks since once down you don't have to redo it now and then.

[perrjojo]

[QUOTE=Fraugoofy;1143972]We were told by our vet that the pine straw used in The Villages is from Georgia and can contain ticks, which cause heartworm. We used stone (black slate) and love the unique look.[/QUOTE

Some say pine straw is a fire hazard but most people in the south use pine straw and I have never heard of it causing a fire. We lived in Georgia for the past 10 years, used pine straw and NEVER had a problem with ticks. Yes, we have a dog. Pine straw adds much needed acid to our soil. The only draw back with pine straw here is that the sun fades its color very rapidly and needs to be replaced twice a year. I am an organic gardener and would never suffocate my plants with stone. With stone you can not add compost which our soil needs. Shredded pine bark works nicely but the larger chips tend to float away and not stay in place. Also, just like pine straw, the color fades rapidly in our Florida sun.
I guess it is all a mater of personal preference but I choose pine straw. To me the stones look like Arizona

[Bonnevie]

I have pine straw and use Adam mentioned above. Quick, easy, efficient and I like the look of pine straw.

[tuccillo]

Heartworm comes from mosquitoes. If you give your dog heartworm pills they will be fine. I lived in Georgia for 20 years with pine straw and dogs and never had an issue. If you like pine straw, go ahead and put down pine straw.

We were told by our vet that the pine straw used in The Villages is from Georgia and can contain ticks, which cause heartworm. We used stone (black slate) and love the unique look.

[Summerhill2015]

Beware of colored wood chips. Check out the OSHA safety data sheet online to see the health risks in handling this product. It is highly toxic to handle.

[Retiring]

What to do--What to do,,,
If I could hire someone and have the chips put down it might be the way to go. I know the landscaper is probably buying the chips or pine straw for less money.

I don't really have much of an area to cover, maybe 400 sq feet.

And do you think wood chips look better than pine straw? maybe fancier?

Any advice is appreciated.

Are you considering pine straw for cost or do you like the look? Personally, I like a dark beauty bark, it gives the yard a bit more of a sophisticated look. Also, marble chips are a possibility. The chips come in many colors. I’ve seen white chips for the body, with a red chip perimeter, looks nice and low maintenance too. Chips may also compliment your home exterior. However, in the summer heat marble may burn your plants if the chips are touching your shrubs or plants.

I’m sure TV requires approval for exterior color and alterations, does the front and/or back yard require approval?

[tomwed]

I just got back from golf and saw all these wonderful posts. thank-you all
I don't think I want stone.

I figure I have about 600 sq feet to cover so if I put it down at 3 inches deep [is that reasonable] I would need enough product for 150 cu ft. Does this sound right?

There is pine straw down now. My neighbors that have the dark bark do look more sophisticated. I have a concrete designer home. The smallest one they make. I forget the model.

The guy that cuts my grass gave me a price of 225 to 300 to take away the pine straw and replace it with mulch. I'm not sure what he means by mulch.

[Jima64]

We were told by our vet that the pine straw used in The Villages is from Georgia and can contain ticks, which cause heartworm. We used stone (black slate) and love the unique look.

Maybe your vet was trying to push heartgard for the pets.

[tuccillo]

There is no such thing as "pushing heartworm medicine". You either give your dogs heartworm medicine or there is a reasonable chance they die of heartworm disease. Sorry to be so blunt but I guess you haven't lived in the south before.

Maybe your vet was trying to push heartgard for the pets.

[Retiring]

I just got back from golf and saw all these wonderful posts. thank-you all
I don't think I want stone.

I figure I have about 600 sq feet to cover so if I put it down at 3 inches deep [is that reasonable] I would need enough product for 150 cu ft. Does this sound right?

There is pine straw down now. My neighbors that have the dark bark do look more sophisticated. I have a concrete designer home. The smallest one they make. I forget the model.

The guy that cuts my grass gave me a price of 225 to 300 to take away the pine straw and replace it with mulch. I'm not sure what he means by mulch.


I believe mulch is a generic term for anything you put atop the soil. Bark, beauty bark, wood chips are specific materials. The wood comes in several shades of brown and various grades. Be very specific as to what you want, don't leave it upto the landscaper.

[tomwed]

I believe mulch is a generic term for anything you put atop the soil. Bark, beauty bark, wood chips are specific materials. The wood comes in several shades of brown and various grades. Be very specific as to what you want, don't leave it upto the landscaper.
thank you
good advice

[Arctic Fox]

Beware of colored wood chips. Check out the OSHA safety data sheet online to see the health risks in handling this product. It is highly toxic to handle.

Friends used colored bark mulch (deep brown) and the dye leached out and stained their new driveway - go with natural if you want wood

[Kazmi]

Here in our part of the north mulch and bark are two different things. Mulch is shredded wood and bark is chips of wood. Each is made from different types of wood like cyprus, cedar, pine, etc. Mulch decomposes faster and does not float away like bark seems to.

We have been putting down deep brown colored mulch around our home for many years and the color has never stained our driveway, walkway, etc. It fades (to a washed grey) but not as quickly as the pine straw. We only have to put a new topping on about every other year or so but that may have something to do with the northern climate versus Florida's.

[midtee9]

And I prefer the look of pine straw! It too is biodegradable and gives nutrients back to the soil. It's really about what type of look you prefer. I used Adam Neusbaum last year to refresh my straw. I believe it was $7/bale installed and they did a great job.
Hi,

Any contact info.....phone.....business name.......address for Adam?

Thanks

[HiHoSteveO]

Hi,

Any contact info.....phone.....business name.......address for Adam?

Thanks

PINE-STRAW-DELIVERY (http://www.compostcowmanure.com/PINE-STRAW-DELIVERY.html)

He will just deliver or deliver and install. Only puts down what you need and hangs the strings on his truck mirror as he does them. Counts the strings when done. Does a nice job.

[bagboy]

[QUOTE=Fraugoofy;1143972]We were told by our vet that the pine straw used in The Villages is from Georgia and can contain ticks, which cause heartworm. We used stone (black slate) and love the unique look.[/QUOTE

Some say pine straw is a fire hazard but most people in the south use pine straw and I have never heard of it causing a fire. We lived in Georgia for the past 10 years, used pine straw and NEVER had a problem with ticks. Yes, we have a dog. Pine straw adds much needed acid to our soil. The only draw back with pine straw here is that the sun fades its color very rapidly and needs to be replaced twice a year. I am an organic gardener and would never suffocate my plants with stone. With stone you can not add compost which our soil needs. Shredded pine bark works nicely but the larger chips tend to float away and not stay in place. Also, just like pine straw, the color fades rapidly in our Florida sun.
I guess it is all a mater of personal preference but I choose pine straw. To me the stones look like Arizona

Although the original fires didn't start in pine straw, the Windsor Green condo fire which damaged or destroyed 26 buildings in Myrtle Beach and the Barefoot Resort fire which destroyed almost 100 homes and damaged another 100 in North Myrtle Beach were both a direct result from fire embers hitting pine straw and spreading rapidly.
You can Google North Carolina pine straw fires especially the Raleigh-Durham area for more pine straw fire devastation. From experience, I wouldn't have it near my home but many people don't see pine straw as a risk.

[Jima64]

There is no such thing as "pushing heartworm medicine". You either give your dogs heartworm medicine or there is a reasonable chance they die of heartworm disease. Sorry to be so blunt but I guess you haven't lived in the south before.

Guess the moderators allowed your posting to get by. Born and lived most of my life in Florida. And yes some very competent vets do push dog meds for heartworms even though ticks do not cause them. My dogs are on a generic heartworm med bought other than the overpriced vet location. Next time do not assume something about me , please.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Anuone have a # for Adam?

[perrjojo]

Anuone have a # for Adam?

Go back to post 22. Adam is a very nice young man and it is a family business. I also have him top dress all of my plants and lawn each spring with black cow compost.

[Arctic Fox]

We have been putting down deep brown colored mulch around our home for many years and the color has never stained our driveway

The problem with the bark my friends used was that it was light bark stained to look like dark bark - maybe redwood bark costs more? Using a naturally dark bark should be fine.

[tomwed]

Go back to post 22. Adam is a very nice young man and it is a family business. I also have him top dress all of my plants and lawn each spring with black cow compost.
thank-you for the lead
His prices look very good. Did you go with the pine straw or the bark nuggets?

[tuccillo]

Yes, and the moderators let your off-topic post go through also. Your original post referred to vets pushing Heartworm medicine, as if it was unnecessary. The important term you used is "pushing", which carries a negative connotation. You make reference to ticks but the Heartgard brand does not kill ticks, it is a Heartworm prevention drug. Yes, you can buy Heartworm pills for a lower cost than at a vet's office if your vet writes you a prescription after testing your dog for heartworm. I did it for years.

Guess the moderators allowed your posting to get by. Born and lived most of my life in Florida. And yes some very competent vets do push dog meds for heartworms even though ticks do not cause them. My dogs are on a generic heartworm med bought other than the overpriced vet location. Next time do not assume something about me , please.

[perrjojo]

thank-you for the lead
His prices look very good. Did you go with the pine straw or the bark nuggets?

My preference is pine straw. The nuggets can float in heavy rain. I have used shredded pine bark before and it stays in place very nicely.

[cquick]

I just took out wood chips in favor of stone. I was worried about termites, and the dog was chewing them up all over the yard.

we like the pine straw look. At first I didn't but it grows on you. I think river rock around the whole outside of the house for about 6-12 inches is a good idea to prevent insects.

[dadspet]

We use pine straw and it has to be replaced about twice a year. We have no concern on ticks or fire. Not crazy about replacing it twice a year but part of my reasoning is " have you noticed the Villages uses it exclusively" and there must be a reason since most people think they clearly know what they are doing. Wood clips we heard can draw termites and other insects.

[CFrance]

I think this hasn't been mentioned before, so I will throw in something to consider. Our house came with pine straw. It was in all the landscaping plus on either side of the walkway coming off the driveway and leading up to the front door. We tracked it inside by the truckloads. We replaced it with stone, which I realize you don't want, but stone does not get tracked into the house, nor does it float away into the lawn during our heavy summer storms.

[perrjojo]

I think this hasn't been mentioned before, so I will throw in something to consider. Our house came with pine straw. It was in all the landscaping plus on either side of the walkway coming off the driveway and leading up to the front door. We tracked it inside by the truckloads. We replaced it with stone, which I realize you don't want, but stone does not get tracked into the house, nor does it float away into the lawn during our heavy summer storms.

All you have said is true but it does nothing to nourish the soil. I know it's all just personnel preference....it just really all depends on what type of gardening you do.

[CFrance]

All you have said is true but it does nothing to nourish the soil. I know it's all just personnel preference....it just really all depends on what type of gardening you do.
That's a good point, and we are not gardeners.

[looneycat]

then there's rubber mulch......
Rubber - Mulch - Landscaping - Garden Center - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Landscaping-Mulch/Rubber/N-5yc1vZbx4aZ1z0ugz3)

[asianthree]

We have Stone came with the house. Not sure that I am a fan but I'm not changing out at this point in time. I will tell you where some sturdy shoes if you have to walk into the bed because they hurt your feet

[Bambi]

Article on fire risk of pine straw. Informative and the reason I use bark chips.

Pine straw much more flammable than mulch | abc11.com (http://abc11.com/archive/7363241)

[perrjojo]

Article on fire risk of pine straw. Informative and the reason I use bark chips.

Pine straw much more flammable than mulch | abc11.com (http://abc11.com/archive/7363241)

I'm sure there is an added risk of fire. We live in an area VERY prone to sink holes, possible hurricane damage and tornados. We live is the Lightning Capitol of the USA. I guess it's just a matter of personal preference and what risk one is willing to take.