Tony Z wrote:

Skyhooks wrote in message ...
Stupid question (?) -- is it alright to use a good, thick layer of
cypress mulch around the base of cucumbers & cantaloupes to keep weeds
at bay? I've never used mulch around either (or anything for that
matter!), so I've no clue.


FIRST, when you say cypress, I know at least two different plants
(trees) that are called cypress. One is Italian Cypress and the other
is the Bald Cypress.
And other plants have the common name of Cyress.
Do you have a Scientific name? or describe the plant.
Genereral rule of thumb is a lot of evergreens (cone making types like
Pine, firs, spruce etc) are acid making when mixed into the soil. But
for some reason as a mulch may not acidify much. Especially when you
use other plant material mixed in, the mulch doesn't seem to acidify
strong as one might expect. If there is acidity, dolomite is a cheap.

Dunno, and it's not specified on the bags (2 sq ft each) I purchased
from a local nursery-type store; no scientific name on the bags It's
cypress bark, and it's rather stringy. I'm not mixing it with the soil,
using it solely as top-cover mulch to inhibit/prevent weed germination.
I know the mulch will also help to retain moisture so I won't need to
water as much.

Sky
hmardis "aht" uiuc "daught" edu

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