This publication explains the importance of soil acidity to plant growth.

May 02, use the chips to mulch around trees and shrubs. Be sure you don't put the mulch right up against the trunk or stem of the tree or shrub. Mulch up against the trunk or stem supports slugs, sow bugs, and mice that may chew on the trunk or stem.

Not good. The propensity of wood chips to tie up nitrogen depends on the particle size:Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins. It is a favorite food source for earthworms.

Their castings and leaf mold help dress the soil and is fertilizer for grass and feeder roots of trees. An oak leaf that is still whole, if left on the ground or in bare spots in the lawn, will stay there, blocking grass growth for many years.

Rake them loose and mulch. Mar 07, Most importantly, organic mulch encourages soil organisms like earthworms, and feeds the soil as it decomposes.

Tags: garden design planting.

If you want to grow healthy, nutrient-dense produce, building soil is the way to go. Some good mulching materials include chopped leaves, hay, grass clippings, wood chips, and newspaper. I sometimes even use rhubarb leaves.

Sawdust mulch from oak trees works best if it has been aged or composted for at least a year to reduce the risk of nitrogen binding. It can also be mixed with oak chips or bark mulch to improve Missing: worms.

Mar 27, Since most arborist wood chips are chopped fresh from living or storm-damaged trees, let the wood chip mulch age and dry out, even as long as a season, before using it. If the pile heats and starts to compost, that should destroy any potential disease pathogens.

If they are not aged, use wood chip mulch on only the soil surface - don’t.

Tree Health The health of the tree is critical.

Jun 12, Cypress Mulch: Be careful with cypress mulch because it will release a lot of salt into the ground over time and make your soil too alkaline, which is not good for plants.

Cypress mulch is a by-product of the lumbering industry. Originally, it was made from shredded cypress tree wood that came mainly from Florida and bushfalling.barg: worms. Feb 25, Cover the area around trees, shrubs, and perennials with an organic mulch when the soil warms and dries out, which could mean waiting until June or July, depending on location.