Mike recommends we purchase compost for use as mulch in our beds, but we could not find any to buy. What exactly is it and where can I get it?

I am interested in using 'compost mulch'.

Composted or just shredded, its great stuff. Shredded leaves don't have the power to prevent plant diseases that they acquire when fully composted, but those leaves will prevent weeds, keep moisture in the soil, cause no problems whatsoever and feed your plants via the incredibly beneficial castings the worms that love living under it will provide. If it still looks like shredded leaves, it is not compost, but it will make an excellent mulch (it's what I use).

Now, if the 'shredded leaf mulch' you're been offered looks like rich black soil, it is compost-the very best kind, many experts feel. A TRULY reputable garden center would not bad mouth compost they would have it for sale.Īnd the explanation for their claim that compost causes shotgun fungus damage is simple, Jill: THEY'RE LYING, LYING, LYING! Here are links to some University Bulletins and articles* detailing the dangers of wood mulch and a link to the multi-University study** that recommends compost as a trouble-free alternative. 'Reputable' my red pepper! The garden centers you visited are simply trying to sell you what they have, and that's wood mulch because it costs them a lot less to acquire than compost. One added that the house-staining artillery fungus you've warned about could exist in compost as well as wood mulch can you dispute that claim? I did find one service that delivers shredded leaf mulch, but I was unsure if that would work the same as compost.Ī. I went looking for compost at several reputable garden centers near me, but they all said they only sell wood mulches.

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