greatgardener
New Member
Hello
I turned my front yard into a garden.
Using this method.
Stesp ----> How to sheet mulch
Comment?
I turned my front yard into a garden.
Using this method.
Stesp ----> How to sheet mulch
Comment?
Cool idea. I know I'm sick of weeding. I don't use chemicals for weed control, but can understand why most do.Hello
I turned my front yard into a garden.
Using this method.
Stesp ----> How to sheet mulch
Comment?
Even with cardboard and printed papers I've wondered what kinds of chemicals could be in them. Ever drive by a paper mill and wonder why they stink so much? I don't know what chemicals they use but they are potent!We try to avoid chemicals as well Brent. I like the idea of cardboard...
I'm not being too paranoid, just thinking out loud. I do use some chemicals, just very sparingly, and I try to keep it light like seven dust diluted more than recommended.Even with cardboard and printed papers I've wondered what kinds of chemicals could be in them. Ever drive by a paper mill and wonder why they stink so much? I don't know what chemicals they use but they are potent!
Not much goes in to making cardboard. They use sodium hydroxide and other sulfates to break down the pulp, which gives pulp mills their unique aroma, and corn starch for the glue. I don't think there's anything in cardboard that will harm a garden.Even with cardboard and printed papers I've wondered what kinds of chemicals could be in them. Ever drive by a paper mill and wonder why they stink so much? I don't know what chemicals they use but they are potent!
I just read some about cardboard from three different places. Yes there are some chemicals, but it looks like the risk is pretty low. The one good thing I did get out of it was to not go too thick with it. You want it to break down. If you do a three inch thick layer the innermost layers can still be intact after five years, thus blocking out moisture, nutrients, oxy. Etc. I guess the old saying applies, everything in moderation. Surprisingly, the most (possibly) toxic paper/cardboard is in food containers and wrappers. We really are stupid animals.Not much goes in to making cardboard. They use sodium hydroxide and other sulfates to break down the pulp, which gives pulp mills their unique aroma, and corn starch for the glue. I don't think there's anything in cardboard that will harm a garden.
Except for a couple Aspen groves we don't have many leaves around here, mostly pine needles. This spring I'll pick up a load of straw and a load of cow manure and start mixing it for the garden. My wife decided that "we" want to move the garden closer to the house. It makes sense I guess, it will be more convenient. There's much better soil here too. I'll have about 100 posts to pull up plus some fruit trees, berry and grape plants to transfer.One thing I see everyone around here do is burn their leaves. They make one of the best soil additives around, with a couple bonuses. First they are free! Second, you want to pick them up off your lawn anyways, so why not put them in your garden. I mulch then up into finer particles so they break down even faster.
I have several fruit trees that I wish I could transplant. I underestimated how big they get and over planted an area. I'm about to take a chainsaw and thin out 8 of them. I hate to, but they are too big to try to move now, and it will be better for the remaining ones. I will plant some new replacements for them elsewhere though. Still sucks as it takes a few years for them to start producing well. I've been working on improving the soil in the garden for a while now, so it is staying put. There's no way I want to start from scratch again. It's on a hill, which isn't ideal for tilling, but I've made the space work.Except for a couple Aspen groves we don't have many leaves around here, mostly pine needles. This spring I'll pick up a load of straw and a load of cow manure and start mixing it for the garden. My wife decided that "we" want to move the garden closer to the house. It makes sense I guess, it will be more convenient. There's much better soil here too. I'll have about 100 posts to pull up plus some fruit trees, berry and grape plants to transfer.
I did read that pine straw and manure was considered the best mulch around. Full of nutrients and breaks down easily.Except for a couple Aspen groves we don't have many leaves around here, mostly pine needles. This spring I'll pick up a load of straw and a load of cow manure and start mixing it for the garden. My wife decided that "we" want to move the garden closer to the house. It makes sense I guess, it will be more convenient. There's much better soil here too. I'll have about 100 posts to pull up plus some fruit trees, berry and grape plants to transfer.
I'll have to give that a try. Our house is going to be located in a big stand of pine and Douglas fir trees. We'll have plenty of pine needles to rake up from the yard.I did read that pine straw and manure was considered the best mulch around. Full of nutrients and breaks down easily.
Sorry, had a brain dead moment there. I meant to say hay, or wheat straw and manure, not pine straw. I believe pine needles are acidic and take a long time to break down. Sorry as it seems to be an abundant resource for you.I'll have to give that a try. Our house is going to be located in a big stand of pine and Douglas fir trees. We'll have plenty of pine needles to rake up from the yard.
I think your right. That's why not much grows under a pine tree.Sorry, had a brain dead moment there. I meant to say hay, or wheat straw and manure, not pine straw. I believe pine needles are acidic and take a long time to break down. Sorry as it seems to be an abundant resource for you.
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