I know a very basic question and I see a lot talking about Mulching beds on the forum, but what is it exactly? Do you buy it, do you make it.
I just havent a clue.
Also is it a good weed suppressant around growing veggies?
Any material used to retain moisture in the soil and keep down annual weeds..
:)
Hi Shadowdragon
My interpretation of a mulch is a covering of organic material which will keep the moisture in the soil.
I use different mulches for different plants. I put grass cuttings over my artichoke bed. They are put on about 2inches thick and they smother the weeds and keep in the moisture. In time they rot down and become part of the soil.
There are other mulches you can use! I have used seaweed, compost (home made) and all manner of stuff.
You need to be careful that the mulch you use is not riddled with weed seeds or weeds. You can mulch with gravel but that is a longer term thing that doesn't degrade or put any goodness into the soil.
So - a mulch is a covering - which cuts the light out for weeds to grow and suppresses the annual weeds (dandeliion and dock will grow through it).
Hope that helps.
Old Bird
;D
most people tend to uce bark or a bark subsitute , manure can be used as this is good for the soil as well , stone chippings ,slate anything as Oldbird has stated as long as it cut the light out
think long term as well as the short term and what you intend on using the area for
if you can provide more info can help a little further
You can also use straw, shredded paper. Mulch is good for paths too. If you use it for strawberry beds, ensure you remove it before the fruits come because slugs & snails hide in it 8)
This is my interpretation;
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Mulching/Mulching.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Mulching/Mulching.htm)
I have always used lawn clippings, no weedkillers used, did not know you could use manure. I wait for clippings to get hot and then spread them round kills the weeds, have to ensure it does not touch the plants. Also have been using recycling compost. Though this also seems to grow weeds. (tomatoes, cues and courgettes so far)
I use dead leaves and grass cuttings depending on availability.
Thanks all ;D
Got it gist of it now. So I could effectevley shove some bark chippings on the bed im using for my peas? and that will stop the weeds (obviously dont cover up my pea plants). then remove it at the end of the growing season?
Also I was planning at the end of the growing season to cover the plot with manure and dig it in next spring.
I would not use bark chippings.
Seaweed is great. It suppresses weeds, keeps the ground moist, adds nutrients, rots down into the ground adding organic matter to the soil.
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Quote from: Bjerreby on May 20, 2009, 05:51:20
Seaweed is great.
Does it not smell as it rots down? ???
MP
Quote from: shadowdragon on May 20, 2009, 00:52:19
Thanks all ;D
Got it gist of it now. So I could effectevley shove some bark chippings on the bed im using for my peas? and that will stop the weeds (obviously dont cover up my pea plants). then remove it at the end of the growing season?
Also I was planning at the end of the growing season to cover the plot with manure and dig it in next spring.
I think the bark chippings wouldn't be great around the peas - nitrogen (I think ???? always get a bit mixed up as to what releases what etc ). Also think it might be a bit tricky to collect it all back up - but I haven't tried that so maybe someone else would know.
The manure at the end of the season / for over winter would be great tho :D
Spent mushroom compost or garden compost would be good around peas. We're generally advised to avoid bark because it tends to use up nitrogen as it decomposes and also tends to be acidic. I find grass mowings (provided no chemicals have been used on the lawn) are a good mulch for garlic.
haaa right thanks
So no bark chippings on the veg plot then :)
The weeds are a nightmare on my plot, talk about a war of attrition!!!
Would shoving some horse or cattle manure on the top stop the weeds and not hurt the veggies while there growing?
sorry but im new to allotments and im finding keeping the weeds at bay a nightmare it doesnt help as I have neglected plots around me so the seeds have travelled and my nice new beds are becoming a blanket of weeds and I have even finished clearing the plot from when i took over 2 months ago!!
Hi - my first post on A4A so be gentle with me please ........
Loving the idea of the seaweed. My question is - do you just go and collect loads from the seaside? Are you allowed to take it away? Or is this needing to be done under the cover of darkness in ninja suits?
Quote from: lazyleila on June 01, 2009, 13:54:15
Hi - my first post on A4A so be gentle with me please ........
Loving the idea of the seaweed. My question is - do you just go and collect loads from the seaside? Are you allowed to take it away? Or is this needing to be done under the cover of darkness in ninja suits?
So I'm to be gentle eh? But you want to wear a ninja suit :o ;D
Just go and collect it - if its above the tide line its for the taking, anything below the tide line leave it in its place. But, that's just my opinion.... :)
Oh, and welcome to A4A lazyleila
1066
Quote from: lazyleila on June 01, 2009, 13:54:15
Hi - my first post on A4A so be gentle with me please ........
Loving the idea of the seaweed. My question is - do you just go and collect loads from the seaside? Are you allowed to take it away? Or is this needing to be done under the cover of darkness in ninja suits?
I'm with 1066 on this.
If there is more seaweed than you need for mulch, take it all the same. Stuff it in a barrel, fill with fresh water, let it soak for a couple of weeks and you will have lovely seaweed extract to spray on your plants. Just watch them perk up! Remember to dilute it, say 1 part extract to 9 parts fresh water.
I was going to use grass cuttings as mulch for my spuds but my neighbour said it was a bad idea because it may contain seeds and will ultimately mean more weeds, its a shame coz I have collected quite a bit.
Lushy x
I am definitely using cut grass as mulch everywhere, and have before. We are going to get weed seeds whatever we do, so why worry about a few extra? My least favourite weed seed is docks, that put down a long root so quickly and grow again from scraps - but grass seedlings are easy to deal with.
I used some grass cuttings as a mulch on some of my beds and the few weeds that have made it through the thick mulch are easy to deal with. So I'm plesed with the result and I know lots of people on my site use them, so I'd go for it
1066
I use shredded paper(old letters etc) for the base of my runnerbeans,it doesnt look brilliant but soon rots down.
we use a newspaper collar with grass clippings on to cover the potato mound when it's too high to put more soil on ;D