Q: I would like to add a wood-mulch product to my vegetable garden. The product I would like to use is made from mesquite and eucalyptus wood. Would adding the eucalyptus chips as a component to the soil be okay? I have read mixed opinions regarding the addition of eucalyptus chips — some say it is beneficial and some say it will inhibit the growth of vegetable plants. What is your opinion/recommendation?
A:Â This is a bit of a myth. Some plants produce chemicals that affect nearby plants, in some cases preventing germination or restricting their growth. While some trees do have an allelopathic quality, that soon ends once the wood is chipped into mulch.
These wood chips should be no different from any other mulch. They do provide long-term, slow-release fertilizer, and there is some weed suppression, mostly from blocking sunlight.
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Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to
