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Using Free County Mulch: What to Watch For

Termites Unlikely in Fresh Mulch

But a spray of permethrin adds peace of mind.

The Real Concern: Curing

If the mulch is still warm, it's not fully composted. Fresh mulch robs soil nitrogen and releases tannic acid, crashing pH and locking up nutrients. Plants will suffer.

Verdict

Free mulch is great—if it's cool and cured. Otherwise, let it age a few months before using.

Soil Issues: Mulch Selection and Erosion Control on a New Homesite; Best Mulch for Vegetable Gardens on Clay; Why Weed Barrier Fabric Fails and How to Maintain a Low-Maintenance Rock and Mulch Yard; Globe Willow Damaged by Weed-N-Feed: Recovery Steps; Debunking the Formosan Termite Mulch Myth After Hurricane Katrina; Step-by-Step Winterization for a Small Michigan Pond with Koi and Goldfish; Year-Round Lawn Care Essentials for Florida Homeowners; Eliminate Weed Plants from Your Garden; Tree Trunk Rot from Mulch Volcanoes: Keep Mulch Off the Bark; DeKalb County Free Compost Sites

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