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Post by mrsk on Jul 30, 2015 15:11:48 GMT -5
While I have done mulching in the past, and every bit I have done has encouraged me to do more. This year I really mulched, with cardboard and spent hay. I have to say I am enjoying my garden more, as the weeds have not won the war. I am ahead, because I get so few of them.
When I pulled the onions, I noticed, what was thick mulch, is not getting a bit sparse. Hoping that it is going back into the ground, but what I really think is that mulch is a lot of air, and it is compressing as it breaks down.
I could really apply some more.
So does the level of your mulch change? Do you add more in mid season?
Mrs K
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Post by binnylou on Jul 30, 2015 15:40:02 GMT -5
Do you add more in mid season? I never have any to add. In the past, I have gathered and bagged leaves in the fall and I always use all of those in the spring at planting. I can't interest hubby in driving around town and picking up bagged leaves....maybe when I start driving again and when I can get in and out of the pickup. :-*, I'll be like the little red hen, I'll just do it myself. |
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Post by Mumsey on Jul 30, 2015 15:59:33 GMT -5
Mine seems to decompose quicker in a wetter year, like this one. Seems I am forever putting grass clippings here and there.
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Post by mauldintiger on Jul 30, 2015 17:34:09 GMT -5
I have a 2000 sq ft garden and have put 50-60 bales of hay and straw on it since April of 2014. In addition, my grass clippings represent at least 3 bushels per week, sometimes 2 times per week. Last month my neighbor agreed to save his for me. And I pick up anything I see in the neighborhood. It goes away really quickly in the summer, in need to mulch several areas right now. Also, no weeds! And the dirt surface is black, plants are looking good as well. Good harvest so far and no weeding! I'm very glad I have a lasagna garden. Much easier than a till and hoe weeds garden, I guess I'm lazy!
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Post by brownrexx on Jul 30, 2015 17:35:31 GMT -5
I mulch with straw and I just noticed that it is a little thin in places so I will add a bit more after we get some rain and it saturates the ground.
I don't have raised beds so mine gets compressed by me walking on it. I till the entire garden and turn the mulch under in the Fall and then I apply a new layer of mulch to insulate it over the winter.
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Post by Tomato Z on Jul 30, 2015 21:30:49 GMT -5
At the community garden, we gather about 100+ bags of leaves in the Fall. When Spring comes, a few of the people till the leaves into the soil which leaves lots left over for mulch. This year I put 16 bags in the tomatoes, 8 in between the peppers, and about 20+ into the leaf bin we made to use thru the summer.
Today I dumped another 4 or 5 in the tomatoes as I walk on them all the time. The leaf bin is shrinking due to the wonderful compost in the making. Thanks Mother Nature!
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 30, 2015 22:28:27 GMT -5
The mulch level always changes. It is decomposing and feeding the soil; So, yes, I do keep adding more.
I use, almost exclusively, leaves (and some pine straw). I have an abundant source of both and it is free!
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Post by kimmsr🕊 on Jul 31, 2015 6:28:42 GMT -5
If the material put down for mulch is an organic material, ie. straw, the Soil Food Web will munch on it and it will "disappear".
If the mulch material you put down does not "disappear" you do not have an active Soil Food Web.
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Post by tbird on Jul 31, 2015 13:49:01 GMT -5
I have been sprinkling coffee grounds almost daily onto my baby black seeded simpsons, but it has not built up at all.... My mother always told me the worms love the coffee grounds, so hopefully they are turning it into rich soil for me.  |
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Post by kimmsr🕊 on Aug 1, 2015 5:52:37 GMT -5
Earthworms "love" coffee grounds jus as much as they love any other form of organic material, no more and no less. Keep in mind that a steady diet of just one type of organic material (coffee grounds) is just as bad for earthworms as a diet of Ice Cream would be for you. Be sure the organic material you plunk down is diverse.
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Post by mrsk on Aug 1, 2015 10:54:44 GMT -5
at Brownrex - I too don't have a true raised bed garden, but one of the things I do to prevent compression is to use old plank boards and make paths around my garden. As a rancher, they are readily available, and they may not be where you are, but thought I would mention it.
Every year, I rearrange the paths, in different directions, and of course often times things out grow their area, and change the path, but it works for me.
Mrs K
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Post by tbird on Aug 1, 2015 11:32:18 GMT -5
Earthworms "love" coffee grounds jus as much as they love any other form of organic material, no more and no less. Really? And how - exacty - would you know? I will conduct a focus with the worms in my yard to get the answers. |
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