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Sheet Mulching now? | (Read 293 times) |
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crows daughter
Posts: 13
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May 24, 2008, 06:48:38 PM |
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Hello,
I am thinking about doing some sheet mulching in my garden in the next month.
I am not sure if this is a good idea or if I should wait until fall when the rains come and the chances of the cardboard breaking down faster are greater. I just have quite a bit of grass and weeds in areas which I want to grow in and don't really want to do the pulling out weeds, composting thing again. It just takes so long and I the sheet mulching is
just so much better.
I would really appreciate advice about this.
Thanks, Julie
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kelda
Posts: 263
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May 24, 2008, 10:49:58 PM |
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I would go ahead and do it if you're in the mood. I've even sheet mulched in the heat of summer.
About moisture: just water the cardboard a lot when you're laying it down. If it's a workparty have someone full time on the hose, spraying the cardboard after it's layed. Water will sheet off at first, but keep watering until it gets soggier and soggier. (Even if you sheet mulched in the rainy season, you'd still want to make sure the cardboard is sogging wet).
Lots of layers!
Have fun!
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crows daughter
Posts: 13
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May 25, 2008, 05:49:12 AM |
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Hi Kelda,
Thanks.....that helps a lot. Peace, Julie
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1331
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June 27, 2008, 10:03:24 AM |
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I think the subject is covered well, I just wanna throw something in ... just my own opinion that is significantly different from most permies: I would not use cardboard or newspaper for mulch. It's the glues that hold the bits of fiber together that bother me. Most folks seem completely comfortable with it. I'm not.
I'm a big fan of using bales of alfalfa.
As for shingles ... we're talking about tar shingles, right? While I can see how this would, indeed, be entirely effective for what you are suggesting, and it is far better than using herbicides ... I would still look for a something a bit more benign. But ... that's just me.
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1331
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June 27, 2008, 02:47:56 PM |
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My understanding is that the ink on black and white non-glossy is almost always soy based. But still, it seems a bit iffy to me.
But the glues to hold the fibers together: I think for a newspaper there is probably ten times more glue than ink. I've read some stuff that suggests that the glues are not good for the environment (something about formaldehyde) and I have yet to read any kind of counter argument that I trust.
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Charley Hoke
Posts: 66
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June 30, 2008, 05:56:11 PM |
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It was about this time last year that I started preparing a bed that by early September was ready for fall planting.
It was a garden bed already but the soil was not too good.
I started with horse stall cleanings a layer about 4 inches thick. Then a layer of grass clippings, hay, and leaves, then another layer of stall cleanings, and a thin layer of grass clippings on top. I gave this area a good soaking about once a week and that was it. I had very little problems with weeds till this spring, but they were easy to get rid of.
I agree with Paul about the glue in the cardboard, plus any other chemicals that may be in there.
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1331
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July 02, 2008, 11:58:46 PM |
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If you call the folks that sell the alfalfa by the ton, sometimes you will find that they have some that is moldy that they will give away if you pick it up.
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it might be partially a climate thing too.Tthat being said some feed store or rancher who bought a lot might have a load that got wet during a storm.
