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General => Top Tips => Topic started by: Ninnyscrops. on February 08, 2009, 22:42:12

Title: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on February 08, 2009, 22:42:12
Even though I try and buy my meat from local suppliers they still just love polystyrene trays  ::)

If it's good enough to sow seedlings in them, surely we can put the stuff over the top to avoid damping off?

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/ninnyscrops/DSCF1577.jpg)

Tip is to break the trays up by hand before whizzing  ;)

Ninnyscrops
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: elvis2003 on February 08, 2009, 22:51:16
thats a great idea,is damping off when the compost goes a bit mouldy?
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on February 08, 2009, 22:53:22
Yes elvis2003 - when the soil on top turns to that lovely colour we would all paint our sheds with  ;D

Ninny
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: terrier on February 10, 2009, 12:49:58
I tried this years ago and decided it wasn't a good idea. My reasoning was that it would be like vermiculite/pearlite. The stuff is so light it just blows away in the least draught, it doesn't hold water and goes just as green as the damp soil very quickly. Then you still have to dispose of it when you've finnished, it won't degrade in the compost and if you throw it on your garden and birds pick it up it can kill them. If you have damping of problems with your seedlings, try less water and water from underneath to keep the top layer of compost dry. Just my view, though.  :)
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on February 10, 2009, 12:54:13
The green lobby would probably suggest there is a danger of chemical seepage from this kind of low-grade plastic.

Try old corks - they are a good mulch and look better!
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on February 10, 2009, 13:24:08
Oh dear..................back to the drawing board then  :-[

Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: Get the blender ready.........
Post by: 1066 on February 10, 2009, 13:31:27
Quote from: Psi on February 10, 2009, 12:54:13
Try old corks - they are a good mulch and look better!

Oooo - now there's another reason to drink  ;D ;D ;D