Peter Hoh says:

July 18th, 2007 at 8:26 am

Wait until you get a slime mold growing on top of your cocoa bean mulch. Mmm mmmmm.

Judy says:

July 18th, 2007 at 8:49 am

I have tried cocoa bean mulch, too, and had a similar experience. Have you ever heard of mulching with wild rice hulls? I’ve seen wild rice hulls used in a public garden — it looked like a nice mulch. Any idea where some would be available for sale?

patty says:

July 18th, 2007 at 9:22 am

We use cocoa mulch every year and absolutly love it. It works great for us, and unlike wood chips by the next year it has decompsed nicely, and adds nutrients to our soil. For vegetable gardening we have also used newspaper as mulch around our plants, a few layers prevents weeds and decomposes nicely, but it does not look as great as the cocoa shells.

Kris says:

July 18th, 2007 at 11:48 am

I tried the cocoa bean mulch one year and will never do it again. My front gardens were a soupy mess. The mold was horrible. My mother in law loves cocoa bean mulch but she spreads a very thin layer around her small garden so maybe she doesn’t get the mold issues. But a thin layer is not going to prevent weeds which is my main goal. I like good ol’ cypress mulch with a layer of newspaper underneath. The weeds are minimal and my gardens are up for an award this year.

Connie Nelson says:

July 18th, 2007 at 1:32 pm

I’ve had luck with cocoa bean mulch. I really like the smell when you first put it on. But it tends to clump up and can get moldy when it gets wet. (I’ve never had slime mold growing on top. Sounds like I’ve missed out!)

As for the dogs eating cocoa bean mulch, it’s unlikely. Here’s a story I wrote about it last year:

Once again, rumors about potential dangers lurking in mulch are
winging their way across the Internet. Earlier this year, an anonymous e-mail claimed that mulch infested with voracious Formosan subterranean termites was making its way north from the wreckage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Wrong.
The latest mulch-related rumor is that cocoa bean mulch can kill dogs if they eat it. That might be true, but it seems that not many dogs do.Cocoa bean mulch, a byproduct of chocolate production, is a favorite among some gardeners because it’s long-lasting, darkens in color as it ages, add nutrients to the soil and smells enticingly like chocolate. But it also contains two chemicals found in chocolate (theobromine and caffeine) that can be harmful to dogs.
Despite the assertion in the e-mail (variations of which have been in and out of circulation since 2003) that dogs will “ingest this stuff and die,” it seems that very few have. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control
Center reported receiving only 15 reports of dogs eating the mulch
in 2005. None of the dogs died.
Bottom line? If you’re worried about your dog eating the mulch, don’t use cocoa beans. Opt for straw, wood chips, dried grass clippings or partially composted leaves. I’ve never tried them, but I’m guessing they don’t taste as good as chocolate.

Beth says:

July 18th, 2007 at 3:02 pm

I’ve used cocoa bean mulch for the past two years and really like it. It smells wonderful, looks good plus it doesn’t completely upset your flower bed if you tend to move things around a lot. I haven’t experienced the slimy mold issues - but then again I don’t put on lot and it still keeps weeds at bay.

Jaime Chismar says:

July 18th, 2007 at 3:40 pm

Ha, what a great visual mnmike! I too have noticed a relationship between mulch thickness and mulch mold. Mold or no mold, the weeds are certainly few and far between… except for that stubborn purslane.

Ranty says:

July 18th, 2007 at 7:29 pm

I use free woodchips as well - by the cubic yard, when possible!

Connie Nelson says:

July 19th, 2007 at 10:27 am

Laura,
Thanks for the update. I hadn’t heard of a dog dying from eating cocoa bean mulch.
The story I included in my post (which I say was written last year) was refering to an internet rumor about a dog who had died from eating mulch. It was indeed a rumor — a persistent one that had lived on the internet for a few years. In the internet rumor, the dog’s name, breed, age and location changed over the years. However, at that time, no one — including the ASPCA — had a confirmed report of a dog dying from eating mulch.
The story does go on to say that if other mulches might be best if you’re concerned about your dogs eating mulch.

Stephanie says:

August 6th, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Just went out this morning after a long overdue rain last night here in nerstrand, to find a layer of white stuff covering my cocoa hull mulch. Later this afternoon the mold has changed a bit, getting some dark flecks on it(hoping that’s not black mold) and some long winged insects that i don’t recognize are flying around it. Initially it had a nice aroma, and had a softer appearance than larger wood chips, but unless i can figure out how to keep the mold away in the future, i don’t think i will use it again. does anyone have any suggestions for removal of the moldy cocoa hulls from the garden? is it okay to just cover it with a layer of dirt, or scoop the layers off and toss in the compost pile? i want to get it cleaned up before the wind comes and blows those spores into the windows directly above.

faye says:

August 21st, 2007 at 9:37 pm

I have it all over my yard and today I discovered a huge mess. I live in the Black Hills and we have been in a drought all summer. I water daily and the biggest mess was in a shaded area, I lifted the crust that forms and will be tossing it out. Just hope it doesn’t kill my plants. Has anyone heard of anything you can put on or in this stuff to prevent the mold? Spray it with vinegar???? or mix something in. I love the look of it.