Free mulch anyone? Our tree folks, Westenberger Tree Service, provide free mulch just for the asking. And I'm not just talking about a wheelbarrow-full or two. When Loren came out to review our trees last year he told us that if we ever needed mulch all we had to do was call and they would deliver it. When we started cleaning out the gardens and putting in new plantings, we decided to take advantage of the offer and I'm glad we did. Westenberger brought us a full truck load and put it on our tarp on the driveway, as requested.

I have to admit the pile was very slowly whittled down and finally, about a week ago I placed the last of it. As happy as we were to get the mulch, that's how much we groaned about having to put it in the gardens. We also thought that for every pitchfork full we removed, the pile grew by two or so it felt anyway. So, the last of the mulch is spread and we haven't even gotten half of the gardens covered. Next week we'll call again and start on the other side of the house. Oh - here's the moral of the story. How do you know when you've taken too long to spread your mulch? When you find a black racer snake making a comfy home there! We won't be so slow on the next load. Happy Florida Gardening and watch out for those snakes.