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Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I ran across this info regarding Cocoa Shell Mulch, and wanted to get an opinion on what you folks thought about adding it to a patch.

Waste shell from the extraction of chocolate from cocoa beans has been used for over 30 years as mulch for roses and a soil amendment for flower beds at Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA. Cocoa bean shell mulch (CBSM) slowly decomposes and contains approximately 2.5% nitrogen, 1.0% phosphate and 3.0% potash. Analysis of CBSM by the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory revealed it to be exceedingly high in specific conductance, soluble salts, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium; but low in pH, nitrogen and calcium.
Plus they claim that it helps with soil compaction with clay soils.

7/26/2004 6:30:13 PM

Utah

Organic Matter, OM, is good for your soil regardless of which type it is... sandy or clay or other... or what type of OM it is... but ...
you have to use common sence and good reason here. I'm 2x4's are OM ... but won't work well in your patch because they take a long time to decompose ...
Cocoa shells look like a good option. if they are low in pH and your soil is low in pH then something else might be a better choice.

7/27/2004 4:39:46 PM