specific types of mulch for specific types of plants?

I was wondering if it mattered the type of mulch
that you use? I live in a pretty remote area and the only
type of mulch I could buy was cedar and I used it in
my vegetable garden but my vegies didn't seem to fare
as well this year - of course it could have been any number of
other factors - I'm just wondering. I really like the way
the cedar mulch looked but don't want to use it if it's
going to be toxic to the plants.

This message was edited Feb 21, 2006 7:59 PM

I suspect the tannins would add some disagreeable flavor. I would use straw in a garden. It breaks down. Cedar doesn't for ever. Send me all your cedar and I'll send you all the straw you need. I use cedar in my flower/perenial beds.