RE: [CH] Mulches
Parkhurst, Scott Contractor (PARKHURS@LEAVENWORTH.ARMY.MIL)
Wed, 10 May 2000 17:34:41 -0000
Byron wrote:
> My choice, None
I put my 60+ babies in the ground last weekend, and will
not be using mulch either. I have found that once the chiles
get established and start "bumping" into each other, they
shade the ground, which helps keep the roots cool in the heat
of summer and also reduces the amount of watering needed.
This seems especially true for the squatter, bushier varieties
like the habs. I need the exercise from hoeing, which isn't
needed much once they get established anyway.
I didn't get around to hardening off the seedlings this year,
so I put some shade cloth (stretched between dowel rods)
over some, stretched a floating row cover over some 5'
bamboo poles (Martha Stewart brand *gasp*) over others
and left some uncovered.
The habs seem to appreciate the shading the most. The
assorted annuums under the row cover are content. The
African Devils and KT peppers don't seem fazed in the least
by being left unprotected.
Scott... thankful for Tuesday's 1/2" of slow, steady rain... KCK