The Cedar Chip Experiment

Well, here we go again.

After the mulch turned into soil, the weeds moved in like they had signed a long-term lease. Then the exposed weed barrier began cracking under the sun like an old lawn chair left outside too many summers.

So now we are trying something new:

Cedar chips

Cedar chips, the next best choice

Apparently, cedar resists weeds better than regular mulch, breaks down more slowly, and may not create quite the luxury weed habitat we accidentally engineered before.

At this point, we're cautiously optimistic.

Not overly optimistic.

We've grown since then :)

The plan now is simple:

• keep the fence line clean

• protect what remains of the barrier

• discourage weeds

• and avoid weed eating around the fence at all costs.

Because somewhere along this journey, we became deeply committed to the idea that dragging a weed eater around the entire fence line is not the life we want to live.

One unexpected benefit of cedar chips is that they may also help with bug control. Cedar naturally contains oils that many insects dislike, so we're hoping the chips may discourage some unwanted visitors while making the garden look a little cleaner and more natural.

At this point, any organic natural gardening product that fights weeds, slows bugs, protects the barrier and looks attractive immediately earns our attention.

If the cedar chips eventually break down too-and honestly, they probably will-we may finally have to to accept a difficult truth:

A completely maintenance-free garden may only exist in magazines and the minds of overly hopeful gardeners.

so we're preparing ourselves mentally for a compromise::

finding an organic low-maintenance way to discourage weeds without completely surrendering to them

Now, gardening feels less like conquering nature and more like reaching a peaceful working relationship with it. The weeds are still interested in participating.

The fence is still standing strong. and we are still learning.

Slowly

cedar chip mulch