Newspaper in bean trenches

[Slug_killer]

I'm sure this question must come up as regularly as couch, but I couldn't find it in a search.

I want to make a bean trench and add newpaper to help water retention, but is the ink in newpapers safe, or am I adding unknown chemicals to the soil ?

[Slug_killer]

[SMP1704]

I think the general view is black and white is the best choice.  I did read somewhere that increasingly colour inks are vegetable based and so should be OK.  Generally avoid the FT because the pink ink is a bit nasty.  I avoid using glossy magazines - they still go in the recycle bin.

Hope that helps

[manicscousers]

we put newspapers and chopped up envelopes and letter heads in, they can't be recycled so either go in the trench or in the compost  ;D

[cornykev]

I put newspaper, cardboard, junk mail and veg peelings in the trench then topped with manure then filled in the soil and mounded up.  ;D ;D ;D

[Mrs Ava]

If it's paper, then it is shredded in this house at the moment,  My bean trench was filled up with shredded paper of all shapes and sizes.  Newspaper I use to wrap veggie peelings up in and it all goes onto the compost heap.

[thegroatgardener]

If you want a well developed crop use shredded Times, Observer or Guardian.

If you use the Sun or Mirror you'll get a retarded crop

If you use the FT, remember your crop can fall  as well as rise.

[cambourne7]

very clever

[quizzical1]

So presumably shredded BILLS etc. can also be buried in Bean trenches?

And can the same thing be put on the compost heap if there's too much for the beans?

[cambourne7]

yes you can use shreaded paper in a compost as a brown (dry) layer.

[Slug_killer]

So, is the general verdict that the inks used these days are ok for the veggie plot?

[cambourne7]

i dont know, certianly never heard anything about the ink issue untill i looked here

[cornykev]

Be careful with the shredded bills quiz make sure theres no over drafts in there or they might blow your beans over. ;D ,and if I shred a porno mag will it benefit a HARDy plant Forking Good

[manicscousers]

I'm sure someone said the inks are all veggie based now, can't remember where  ;D

[RobinOfTheHood]

Hope so, I'm currently covering the lottie with tons (almost) of shredded office paper.

I intend to dig it in shortly and use it as mulch in the summer....hopefully it will lighten the soil a little.

[Wasp_Box]

What is this "bean trench" of which you speak? And why would you bother? I've grown beans without a trench for years and always had good crops.....

Am I missing something? Should I be encouraging my beans to enjoy The Independent?

[bennettsleg]

Having got a shredder recently, all available bits of paper (bills, envelopes, ransom demands etc) get fed through it and it's amazing how far a little goes.  I'll be packing the bottom of my bean trench with the stuff too, as well as some fertiliser and (if I get round to picking some up from the hairdresser) some hair.  Good source of nirogen apparently, if a little creepy.  I hear that fleece (from sheep, not the modern fabric) is good as it absorbs alot of water as well as being a good nitrogen source.

[cambourne7]

darn if you had mentioned hair yesterday i could have saved the stuff i cut off hubbies head which are now in the dyson!

[quizzical1]

Hi C7,
so why not empty entire contents of said Dyson into your bean trench? I'm sure household dust will rot down just as well as everything else that has been suggested.

[Blue Bird]

Just jammed the shredder - 2nd one in 6 months anyone know were a cheap replacement can be found????? ???

last one cost 11.99

[quizzical1]

Re cheap shredder......look here

http://www.wilkoplus.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=17002&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=17001&top_category=17001