Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   -   Are there any mulch no-no's in TV? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/landscape-talk-129/there-any-mulch-no-nos-tv-344448/)

paulat585 09-29-2023 03:07 PM

Are there any mulch no-no's in TV?
 
Landscaper just dug out my juniper bushes. Are there any rules about mulches that can/cannot be used in TV? Don't want to have to undo something. Thanks

Keefelane66 09-29-2023 03:16 PM

I’ve used Pine Bark and pine needles and placed river rock boarding home with no issues.
Pine bark seems to last longer than regular mulch.

OrangeBlossomBaby 09-29-2023 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keefelane66 (Post 2261315)
I’ve used Pine Bark and pine needles and placed river rock boarding home with no issues.
Pine bark seems to last longer than regular mulch.

I use pine bark in my flower beds. A neighbor uses pine straw, and her beds always look lovely. I was using cedar until I found out that pollinators don't like it. I like my honeybees butterflies and even the red wasps that flitter around my flowering herbs, so I made the switch to the less expensive pine and it's working out fairly well.

Cedar is a better weed prevention, but pine is more eco-friendly.

villagetinker 09-29-2023 09:00 PM

I have seen reports from people about problems with rubber mulch, if I recall correctly, it floated away in heavy rains.

UpNorth 09-30-2023 08:48 AM

Pine straw. Buy it by the bale at Lowes or Home Depot. It's what The Villages uses everywhere, and as you can see, holds down the weeds pretty well. Looks fine, cheap, and easy to use.

Bogie Shooter 09-30-2023 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulat585 (Post 2261313)
Landscaper just dug out my juniper bushes. Are there any rules about mulches that can/cannot be used in TV? Don't want to have to undo something. Thanks

No posted rules. If any doubts, call Community Standards.

OrangeBlossomBaby 09-30-2023 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 2261371)
I have seen reports from people about problems with rubber mulch, if I recall correctly, it floated away in heavy rains.

The downsides of using rubber mulch
It doesn't have the nutrient quality of organic mulch. In fact, it doesn't have ANY nutrients at all. ...
It contains hazardous and toxic chemicals that do considerable damage. ...
It can't be tilled into your soil. ...
It's costly.

njbchbum 09-30-2023 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulat585 (Post 2261313)
Landscaper just dug out my juniper bushes. Are there any rules about mulches that can/cannot be used in TV? Don't want to have to undo something. Thanks

Check for compliance - folks here may not have gotten the approval to change anything from ARC but are telling you it's okay to change!
VCDD Community Standards
Pulling out the Junipers may require that approval!

Ozzello 09-30-2023 06:05 PM

Remove and replace does not require approval

BillY41 10-01-2023 04:26 AM

Community of NO!
 
Funny way to write the post, 'no's' I do agree does one ever get sure ok yes?

merrymini 10-01-2023 06:37 AM

Pine straw is best I think. I do a lot of gardening and the pine straw, and I was very negative about it when I first arrived, has enriched my soil tremendously. It is acidic and the soil here is very alkaline, so it balances the soil out very well. Cheap, readily available and easy to spread. If you do not want to do it yourself, I have used Adams Earth and they will deliver and or spread if you wish. It does make a mess in your car. For Pete’s sake, do not use rocks.

Nana2Teddy 10-01-2023 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merrymini (Post 2261706)
Pine straw is best I think. I do a lot of gardening and the pine straw, and I was very negative about it when I first arrived, has enriched my soil tremendously. It is acidic and the soil here is very alkaline, so it balances the soil out very well. Cheap, readily available and easy to spread. If you do not want to do it yourself, I have used Adams Earth and they will deliver and or spread if you wish. It does make a mess in your car. For Pete’s sake, do not use rocks.

I like pine straw when it’s fresh, but TV changes it out a couple times annually for a reason. It gets very ugly as it ages because It flattens out and turns gray. Unfortunately, most villagers who have it don’t refresh it as needed, and it looks unsightly. We were also told by our pest control company that the pine straw is full of bugs, and that has been our experience in the front yard where we still have the straw.

Pixelpups 10-01-2023 10:28 AM

I’ve used small pine nuggets from Southern. I like to grow roses, so I didn’t want the heat problems caused by rocks. If you use non-pine straw “mulch,” you may find some ugly/so ugly they’re beautiful mushrooms popping up. I didn’t like the look of pine straw. The small pine nuggets lasted 2 years.

midiwiz 10-01-2023 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulat585 (Post 2261313)
Landscaper just dug out my juniper bushes. Are there any rules about mulches that can/cannot be used in TV? Don't want to have to undo something. Thanks

cypress is the best, buy in bulk. The colored mulches (especially black) attracts termites. Pine bark mates with bugs very will and the pine straw they use makes it very easy for all sorts of pests to hide out. I've learned the hard way in florida..... just lending my lessons learned

jimjamuser 10-01-2023 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 2261371)
I have seen reports from people about problems with rubber mulch, if I recall correctly, it floated away in heavy rains.

I have used rubber mulch and never had a rain so hard (or a flood) that it floated away.

jimjamuser 10-01-2023 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keefelane66 (Post 2261315)
I’ve used Pine Bark and pine needles and placed river rock boarding home with no issues.
Pine bark seems to last longer than regular mulch.

I think that rocks look better and last better than organic mulches.

ron32162 10-01-2023 01:12 PM

roaches live in pine bark use cypress mulch

justjim 10-01-2023 04:32 PM

Purchased our first home in TV 2006. During the years I’ve seen more residents take out their pine straw, mulch and bark and replace with rock more than any other landscaping change. I did it and many others have done the same. But to each their own.

bubbska 10-01-2023 05:59 PM

Is redwood mulch available in this area? Love the look of it at our Colorado home.

UpNorth 10-01-2023 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjim (Post 2261888)
Purchased our first home in TV 2006. During the years I’ve seen more residents take out their pine straw, mulch and bark and replace with rock more than any other landscaping change. I did it and many others have done the same. But to each their own.

Rock, even with a liner, is nothing more than a bed for weeds in a couple of years.

Bonanza 10-01-2023 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2261793)
cypress is the best, buy in bulk. The colored mulches (especially black) attracts termites. Pine bark mates with bugs very will and the pine straw they use makes it very easy for all sorts of pests to hide out. I've learned the hard way in florida..... just lending my lessons learned

What is your source of information regarding colored mulches, particularly black mulch, attracting termites? I believe that statement is misinformation. Using wood mulch (NO particular color) could increase your chances of having termites, but only slightly and generally, is NOT the basis for having a termite problem. And since most homeowners have had the fear of God put into them by neighbors and pest control companies, most homeowners have pest control of one sort or another to alleviate the possibility of that problem happening.

The best possible mulch you could use would be melaleuca because most insects hate it. Unfortunately, in all my searches for years, no one sells it in this area, and generally, is hard to find anyway.

Bonanza 10-01-2023 09:57 PM

Rocks vs. Mulch
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2261833)
I think that rocks look better and last better than organic mulches.


Rocks do look nice but add nothing to the environment and do not benefit the soil. Weeds love all the crannies created by rocks and stones. In addition, your shrubs and plants "bake" in the sun and require more water. Mulches, as they break down over long periods of time, add nutrients to the soil.

jebartle 10-02-2023 04:30 AM

I use LEAVES and neighbors are so kind to bag at end of driveway, added bonus good for beds.

OrangeBlossomBaby 10-02-2023 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron32162 (Post 2261847)
roaches live in pine bark use cypress mulch

Roaches live everywhere. Including under your dishwasher.

TomSpasm 10-02-2023 09:39 AM

This Florida resident of 40 years is a cypress "No Float" mulch fan. It does require replacing as well. Probably more expensive than pine straw, but worth the extra cost IMO. If I want rocks, I'll move to Arizona.


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