Garden Elements 100% Natural Cocoa Bean Shell Mulch for Gardens, Flower Beds, Potted Plants, Mulching, 2 CF

This mulch was expensive , but I decided to try it. (The dyed cheaper mulch retarded the growth of my plants. I found out later that the dye was not good for the soil and depleted the nutrients. It also, did not stay put.) When I spread the cocoa mulch, I loved the smell and it was so easy to spread. It stayed where I put it. It was so thick that it keeps the weeds from growing. It also looks beautiful around my plants. I will buy again and again!

I love cocoa mulch, especially for potted plants but also would be good for small areas where you don't want anything too heavy or permanent. It is very easy to spread and smells great. It tends to be invaded by fungi so best for sunny spots. It mostly decays after a year or so and then can be incorporated into the soil. Apparently dogs might eat it and possibly could be harmful but not sure if that is documented anywhere (even though the Nervous Nellies out there will always mention it). I use it around my cats with no problems, but of course cats aren't stupid enough to eat it. I have heard it might attract rodents but have not had that problem myself (see cats above). There can be a bit of dust at first but that goes away after the first watering or two.

I spread this all over my garden area. Then it rained. In a few days it was all covered in a fuzzy white mold! It smelled great, but then the mold came and it took awhile to dig it all up and throw it away. :-( This is probably better for very dry areas or indoors.

Love cocoa shell mulch. Have used it for years but it has become very difficult to find in my area. Only 1 garden center has it and if you're not there the week it comes in, forget it. You're out of luck. Cocoa shell mulch holds the moisture, keeps out bugs, smells great and is easy to use. Feeds the soil. This is the only type of mulch I use on my food gardens.

this works for a short time to repel cats and slugs and while it is working it is better than anything else at protecting seedlings; unfortunately this product was more powdery than the brand I used to buy so I don't know if it will work as well.

I dislike the price because I used to buy it wholesale by the ton, then buy the bag for $4-$5. Now it’s $45 for a 2 cu. Ft bag! This is the product that Hersheys use to throw away or sell for practically nothing. Ex. 950 lb. Bag $50!!!That’s what I used to pay for my large garden business!

Use this in small gardens and along more decorative areas. Smells like chocolate. Safe around plants and herbs Not so easy to find anymore in garden stores and The boys at Home Depot will tell you they never heard of it. A little goes a long way and spreads nicely and is forgiving. Don’t leave unused bags outside as the critters will tear them open looking for their chocolate fix. Dissolves well in a year into the soil enriching it.

Easy to spread, smell is ok. It was coated with this white mold in less than a week. I will have to pull it up and throw it away, unfortunately.