How do you use cocoa shell mulch?

How do you use cocoa shell mulch?

Apply mulch close to plant stems. The sharp edges of the hull may cut the fragile plant stems. One inch of cocoa mulch gives lovely coverage to your garden, even though the package calls for two. Once it’s down, wet it immediately, so it binds together.

Are cocoa beans good for your garden?

Cocoa Bean Hulls Cocoa beans are ideal to repel garden pests and retain moisture of the soil. It’s good in keeping the weeds away from your garden; cocoa beans will reduce or nullify the time spent weeding your garden. Cocoa mulches add nutrients to your soil when it decomposes and works like natural fertilizers.

Is cocoa mulch good for tomato plants?

Cocoa hull mulch has a slow decomposition process, so it adds nutrients to soil rather than drawing nutrients away. You can use cocoa mulch on most crops, though if you have a limited amount we’d recommend reserving cocoa mulch for fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers.

Does cocoa shell mulch attract termites?

The cocoa bean shells offer a nice look, pleasing fragrance (chocolate), and keep away slugs and termites from your plants. However, this mulch SHOULD NOT be used if you have small children or own pets (dogs in particular).

Is cocoa shell mulch harmful to pets?

Dr. Hansen recommends that pet owners avoid use of cocoa bean shell mulch in landscaping accessible to unsupervised dogs, or at least use it cautiously around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits.

Does cocoa mulch attract bugs?

As is true with any organic product, there are instances where insects live in the mulch. This is not a harmful thing and the cocoa hull mulch itself is not attracting insects! In fact, cocoa hull mulch tends to repel pests instead of attracting them.

Does cocoa mulch deter animals?

While smelling heavenly, cocoa bean shell mulch should not be used around dogs because accidental ingestion could cause symptoms similar to chocolate poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. Pecan shell mulch might deter dogs and cats, but it attracts squirrels.

What kind of mulch prevents bugs?

Cedar and Cypress Bark or chip mulches made from cedar or cypress trees are helpful for repelling insects. Both cedar and cypress wood contain natural oils and chemicals such as thujone that deter bugs.

Why is cocoa mulch toxic to dogs?

However, cocoa bean mulch contains methylxanthines—specifically caffeine and theobromine, which dogs are extremely sensitive to. Dogs are attracted to the chocolate scent of cocoa bean mulch and are very likely to eat it. If ingested, cocoa mulch can cause your dog to tremble and vomit.

Will mulch attract bugs?

Unfortunately, wood mulch also doubles as an attractant for a variety of pests including carpenter ants, earwigs, roaches, and termites. Both carpenter ants and termites can end up causing thousands of dollars of damage to your home. You don’t have to skip out on mulch all together to lower your chance of pests.

Is cocoa shell mulch poisonous to dogs?

Cocoa bean mulch contains theobromine and caffeine, just like chocolate. These chemicals are poisonous to dogs. Dogs who swallow cocoa bean mulch could have vomiting, diarrhea, a very fast heart rate, tremors and seizures.

Is cocoa mulch dangerous to dogs?