Can I Use Dyed Cedar Mulch on Grape Vines?

Your choice of grapes can be as colorful as your choice of mulch.

Adding grape vines to your landscaping offers multiple benefits. Not only will you be rewarded with fresh fruit from your back yard, but grape leaves and vines provide a unique and decorative appearance. Introducing colorful or dyed mulch can enhance the appearance of your grape vines and help deter weed growth.

Grape Varieties

A wide variety of grapes are available for your backyard. Your choice depends on a number of factors: whether you want grapes for eating, drinking or drying; where you live; and your climate. A single grape vine can produce up to 25 to 30 pounds of grapes. Be sure to research the varieties of grapes that grow best in your region. In Minnesota, for example, you will find Millot grapes and Aurore grapes for wine and Concord grapes for juice, to name only a few.

Growing Grapes

Growing grapes requires little space while yielding plenty of grapes, which makes the choice of a grape vine ideal if you have a smaller yard. Plant your grape vine in rich soil in the spring. As soon as the soil is ready to turn, build a support structure to support the vine while keeping in mind its future growth and fruit production potential. Upon completion of the support structure, plant your grape vine and to tend to its heavy reliance on water.

Reasons for Mulch

Adding mulch around your grape vine helps reduce the presence of weeds without the addition of chemicals to the soil. Adding mulch to the soil around your grape vine also conserves water since mulch retains moisture. You won't need to water your grape vines as often. Another benefit is that in its breakdown process, mulch becomes plant food for your growing grape vine, naturally infusing nutrients directly to the plant.

The Use and Safety of Dyed Cedar Mulch

If you would like to spruce up the soil around your grape vine, consider purchasing dyed cedar mulch. Color choices include yellow, red, brown and black. Toxicity levels of dyed mulch have been laboratory tested, and dyed mulch has been deemed safe for people, animals and the environment. The main concern is that dyed mulch has been made from recycled wood that might have been treated with CCA, a preservative containing arsenic.

References

• Demesne: Growing Grapes
• Gardening Tips & Ideas; How to Grow and Prune Grape Vines; Scrobins; March 2006
• Home & Garden Ideas; What Exactly Is Colored Mulch?; Evan Schmidt ; March 2011
• University of Minnesota Extension; Growing Grapes for Home Use; Emily Hoover; 2011
• Planetgreen.com: 5 Reasons to Mulch
• Many Tracks: Growing Grapes in the North
• MulchColors.com: Common Questions About Colored Mulch