Question
Hi,
I started a Carnivorous Plant bog garden in Zone 5, it is approximately  6?x 4?and 10?12?deep.
I would like to retain as much water for as long  as I can in this Bog to reduce watering.  I was thinking of putting some sort of stone mulch on top do hold moisture better , such a grey Slate chip mulch.  Initially I thought this was ideal because they were attractive,  flat, light in weight but large enough so they would not sink or mix with my soil media.  However,  upon closer examination, it seems that these slate chips are somewhat of a softer type of slate, because they seem to produce a lot of 搑ock dust?so I was worried that it would leach bad things in my soil media.  Should I be concerned about using slate chips as a mulch, if so, do you have any other suggestions for mulch or to help retain water; Or is mulching of any type a bad thing all together?
Thanks Much you guys are the Experts!
Bud

*May edit:  On a personal  note;  that you may want to edit out for posting-I see Jacob has what appears to be a Baratza Virtuoso coffee grinder in his Kitchen,  He would not have that grinder unless he takes his coffee seriously.  I only know this because; besides my Newer CP Hobby, Coffee has been a involved hobby of mine, to the point I have been roasting my own beans for the last several years.  It was nice to see a CP expert who also enjoys a good cup of Joe.


Answer
Hi Bud,

Avoid using that type of rock for top dressing.  Instead, use pea gravel, which is washed river rock.  We've been using it for many years on our plants.  It does a good job at keeping weeds at bay, and it's inert.  It doesn't break down or leach minerals into the soil.  

At the end of our May video, you can see square pots of Sarracenia (right when Tucker makes his appearance).  These pots are topped with pea gravel.

As for coffee, yes we're coffee snobs at the nursery.  We also roast our own beans!  Right now we're drinking coffee from the northern side of the Big Island.  The roaster there has some of the best coffee I've ever had and the best Hawaiian coffee ever.  It tastes 10 times better than the Kona coffee swill unknowing tourists drink.  Their coffee is definitely up there with Peet's.  I've already ordered my fourth 5 lb order from them.  Check them out:
http://www.sharkyscoffee.com/

Good growing!
Jacob Farin