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Can a 1 cm layer of slate chips be used as a frost protection mulch? Would it be as good as decorative small chip bark would for giving protection to plastic pots of narcissi? The chips are about 1" to 2" and very attractive. I thought it might make a change from the usual bark, for ornamental value.
23 Nov, 2010
Answers
A bit big an heavy. Perhaps I will stick with my usual bark and find some other way to use my chips decoratively.
23 Nov, 2010
The chips would only protect the tops - if roots are affected by frost perhaps they are still not protected?
23 Nov, 2010
stone also gets very cold and holds the wet wear wood or bark doesnt .
24 Nov, 2010
Seems my usual bark would be the better insulating choice. I'm not sure how to protect roots. My pots will just stand on paving. The most vulnerable bulbs I am wrapping the pots in a couple of layers of bubble wrap, then some coarse green felt around that.
24 Nov, 2010
how to help your pots is to get some battening , lay it out in pares and put your pots on them so they are of the ground over winter .
24 Nov, 2010
Previous question
Hmm, not sure about chips that size in pots of bulbs - a 2 inch chip of slate is a lot heavier than bark and it might mean your bulbs appear contorted from having to push through either side of a particularly large chip. Any covering of the soil would provide some frost protection
23 Nov, 2010