mulch, rocks, or top soil

[tokeCALIkush]

should I put some all purpose clean rocks on top of my soil around the base/trunk/stem of my plant? or what about some mulch or brown bark nuggets/. or just leave it as is...

my pots have miracle grow on the bottom 1/3 and the rest is filled with a top soil/potting soil/gardening soil and manure mixture

 

[gioua]

leave it as it is.. not sure what the reasoning behind the need for wanting to put something on top other then perhaps for non mj weed/grass control ?

also why are you separating the soils? or I am misreading it

 

[tokeCALIkush]

i mixed all the soil up, but left miracle grow at the bottom

 

[kaloconnection]

mulching is not a bad idea, it helps with water retention if you are growing in a spot where you cant water everyday.

 

[AimAim]

should I put some all purpose clean rocks on top of my soil around the base/trunk/stem of my plant? or what about some mulch or brown bark nuggets/. or just leave it as is...

my pots have miracle grow on the bottom 1/3 and the rest is filled with a top soil/potting soil/gardening soil and manure mixture

You never said if you were growing indoors or outdoors.

Indoors I would not mulch, I would like the soil to dry evenly and fairly soon after watering, plus water conservation is not usually an issue.

Outdoors I would mulch pots as much as possible to save water. 2-3'" of any organic mulch would work. Don't pile it that deep right next to the stems though, keep it an inch or more away from the stem.

 

[Potolota]

This is an outdoor forum and I'm going to assume he is growing outdoors and the mulch is best out of the choices of any it will absorb water faster allowing u to water more often

 

[indcolts77]

If you like the rocks look go with perlite...cheap stuff and I mulch with it on all my potted plants to help with water evap and to prevent the water from eroding the soil. I used lava rocks once and it looked cool but compacted the shit out of my soil...I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't grow and it wasn't until I transplanted and switched to perlite that it took off...I like the way the perlite looks too and white reflects light...

 

[Potolota]

If you like the rocks look go with perlite...cheap stuff and I mulch with it on all my potted plants to help with water evap and to prevent the water from eroding the soil. I used lava rocks once and it looked cool but compacted the shit out of my soil...I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't grow and it wasn't until I transplanted and switched to perlite that it took off...I like the way the perlite looks too and white reflects light...

perlite is a must in the soil at all times lol I use it as we'llwe'll

 

[ilovethegreen]

i just use mushroom compost as mulch

 

[MADVILLAIN.CA]

thanks everyone, yea I do like the rocks just for looks so I will look into perlite. as for now I have babies so the mulch will come in a month or two

 

[indcolts77]

You will like the perlite...in your mix and as a mulch...update us when u do it

 

[MADVILLAIN.CA]

I'll have to grab a bag at home depot next time I go