For top of buckets

Boarhead · March 19, 2012

I am going to be using a "no soil planting mix" with some perlite mixed in. http://mulchcompany.com/products.php

What should I use to dress the tops of my 12 gallon buckets with? Pine bark mulch or something else? I am allergic to straw/hay so that option is out. Also, I need something pet friendly. Thanks!

easttx_hippie · March 20, 2012

I use crushed pecan shells that I get from a local sheller. I like it better than anything else I've used as a decorative mulch.....and being free doesn't hurt my feelings at all.

casserole · April 28, 2012

I use pine bark

Tracydr · April 28, 2012

Are you allergic to all straw and hay? There are so many different kinds.

ArcherB · April 28, 2012

I cut a hole in the lid of the bucket and use that.

elight · April 29, 2012

Agree with Archer - use the lid of the bucket. Either cut out a hole big enough for the stem of the plant, or cut out the entire inside of the lid (leaving just the perimeter that attached to the bucket) and use the remainder to clamp down a black plastic trash bag.

swamper · April 30, 2012

perlite or coarse sand. anything organic will grow molds and wick moisture. a plastic lid will reduce available oxygen at the soil interface.

sprtsguy76 · April 30, 2012

If those buckets have lids they work great as a mulch/ moisture barrier.

Damon

March 19, 2012	#1
Boarhead Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 34	For top of buckets I am going to be using a "no soil planting mix" with some perlite mixed in. http://mulchcompany.com/products.php What should I use to dress the tops of my 12 gallon buckets with? Pine bark mulch or something else? I am allergic to straw/hay so that option is out. Also, I need something pet friendly. Thanks!

March 20, 2012	#2
easttx_hippie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Piney Wood Hills Posts: 423	I use crushed pecan shells that I get from a local sheller. I like it better than anything else I've used as a decorative mulch.....and being free doesn't hurt my feelings at all.

April 28, 2012	#3
casserole Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dousman, WI Z5 Posts: 95	I use pine bark

April 28, 2012	#4
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Are you allergic to all straw and hay? There are so many different kinds.

April 28, 2012	#5
ArcherB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 200	I cut a hole in the lid of the bucket and use that.

April 29, 2012	#6
elight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 349	Agree with Archer - use the lid of the bucket. Either cut out a hole big enough for the stem of the plant, or cut out the entire inside of the lid (leaving just the perimeter that attached to the bucket) and use the remainder to clamp down a black plastic trash bag.

April 30, 2012	#7
swamper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: CT Posts: 219	perlite or coarse sand. anything organic will grow molds and wick moisture. a plastic lid will reduce available oxygen at the soil interface.

April 30, 2012	#8
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	If those buckets have lids they work great as a mulch/ moisture barrier. Damon