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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Magnolia on April 16, 2009, 16:01:48

Title: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Magnolia on April 16, 2009, 16:01:48
I've seen that a few neighbours have scattered leaves from various veg & dandelion leaves around seedlings.  Is it to deflect slugs?
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: betula on April 16, 2009, 16:02:35
It won't :D
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Eristic on April 16, 2009, 16:04:58
It may be some Pagan ritual but my guess is that they may have done some weeding and are too lazy to cart them off to the compost bin.
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: asbean on April 16, 2009, 16:10:12
Maybe they know something we don't know  ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on April 16, 2009, 16:19:48
laying comfrey leaves down is one way of getting nutrients.  Maybe it is comfrey?
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Magnolia on April 16, 2009, 16:22:28
i'll ask them.  they're too carefully scattered to be left after weeding. and i saw my neighbour scattering the dandylion.   chard seems to be a popular leaf to leave on the ground.  
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on April 16, 2009, 16:33:23
big leaf therefore covers bigger area - maybe its just being used as a mulch?  Would make sense to me.  I'd imagine rhubarb would be good too.  Sounds like a good idea to me.
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: GRACELAND on April 16, 2009, 16:42:18
As long as your not scattering the seed heads or tap roots ,Or bits of Bindweed Roods  Leaves will break down into the soil !!
It happens naturally in Nature IE Leafs falling from Trees Worms pull them in And feed the plants  :)
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: chriscross1966 on April 16, 2009, 16:43:18
Quote from: Psi on April 16, 2009, 16:33:23
big leaf therefore covers bigger area - maybe its just being used as a mulch?  Would make sense to me.  I'd imagine rhubarb would be good too.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

Wouldn't rhubarb be rather poisonous to the other plants though?

chrisc
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: GRACELAND on April 16, 2009, 16:48:00
Quote from: chriscross1966 on April 16, 2009, 16:43:18
Quote from: Psi on April 16, 2009, 16:33:23
big leaf therefore covers bigger area - maybe its just being used as a mulch?  Would make sense to me.  I'd imagine rhubarb would be good too.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

Wouldn't rhubarb be rather poisonous to the other plants though?

chrisc



Not in small quantity  Surly
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Barnowl on April 16, 2009, 16:48:24
Slugs hide under big leafs during the day - possible slug trap?
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: GRACELAND on April 16, 2009, 16:50:23
Quote from: Barnowl on April 16, 2009, 16:48:24
Slugs hide under big leafs during the day - possible slug trap?

True /Depending on Weather In dry sunny weather the leaves soon wither  :)
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: tonybloke on April 16, 2009, 20:25:31
most slugs prefer patially decayed plant material, btw ;)
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Magnolia on April 18, 2009, 21:31:46
I asked my neighbour and she said she puts the leaves on the ground to trap moisture in the soil.
Title: Re: plot holders scattering leaves... why?
Post by: Eristic on April 18, 2009, 21:34:22
QuoteI asked my neighbour and she said she puts the leaves on the ground to trap moisture in the soil.

Ha. I had it right first guess. A pagan ritual.  8)