Anastasia Abboud
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Garden Warrior
Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun.
​-- Gibran Khalil Gibran

Mulch!

6/11/2025

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I'm not a fan of mulch. In the ten years since we moved to this house, we've never had even a layer of organic compost. I constantly switch plants, sow seeds, experiment. Two inches of any kind of material over the soil complicates those activities. Moreover, I dislike "mulch gardens". Plants! I like plants! 

Mostly especially, I'm wary of dyed mulch. Yet, when the man knocked on our door promising to weed all our beds and lay the mulch for a reasonable price, I broke down--immediately. For almost two years, weeds had free reign in our garden. No matter how often I weed, they just keep coming. The fight has been fierce and it's only the beginning of June. To make matters worse, the temps are in the nineties now, the air thick with moisture. The dog days have arrived. There's no going back, no more cool fronts to look forward to any time soon. Last week, possibly for the first time ever, I got seriously overheated. I don't plan to do that again.

I told the man, "Yes!"

The two young men showed impressive work ethic. First, they hoed the beds from every angle, missing nothing. Then, using a wheelbarrow, they transported mulch from their trailer to our front and back gardens. It was a lot of work and very hot, but they worked with smiles and determination.

Have I damaged my garden? I did ask about the quality of the mulch, scooped and smelled it. He assured me that it's safe. A little research told me that most dyed mulches don't really hurt flower beds or even vegetable beds, not that I would want it for the latter. Usually, the dyes are natural, if not organic. The main problem that could arise is if the wood chips come from treated wood, but that happens a lot less than it used to. I'm pretty sure we need not worry on that score.

The beds are weeded, the weed seeds smothered, and although I'm not sure I would choose it again, the black mulch looks nice. Phew!
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    Our Garden

    For years, my husband and I worked at creating a series of gardens on our four-acre lot in a rural, Texas subdivision west of Houston. I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. Now, I have a pocket garden on a golf course.

    I’ve learned that a small garden is as much a balm to the soul as a large one and can keep the gardener just as busy. 

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    While every garden is different, they all offer challenges, pleasures, time with nature.   Much like people, they have their good days and bad days, high seasons and low; and they can all be fun and beautiful if you love them enough.  
      

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  • Home
  • You've Got This, Amy Munro
  • A Little Romance
  • Garden Warrior
  • Grains of Sand
  • My Books
  • Tremors Through Time
  • All Shook Up
  • If Only You Knew
  • About Me