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Has anyone tried using this kind of mulch? I got some the other day and it looks nice and smells like chocolate, does anyone know of any downsides?

Thanks!

It will kill dogs if they eat it... to me that's a huge downside. Dogs are attracted to the scent.

There have been at least three threads here at THG (although not all that recent) about the threat cocoa-bean-hull mulch presents not only to dogs, but cats as well:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8045

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18194

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8019

Additional information is available at the ASPCA's Poison Control page: www.aspca.org and follow the links.

The makers of this mulch do NOT label their bags about the toxicity, and many dogs die EACH YEAR because of it.

I know there's a wonderful commercial composting facility up near you (and, of course, can't remember its name ATM). They're bound to have a safe soil amendment/mulch that would do what you need and not poison our four-legged friends.

I'll post here again if I remember the name...

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9