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Having just seen a comment from Emma Jane on putting shredded paper around leeks as a clean mulch i thought, gaaagh, so many things i don't know!
So which mulches where, for what, and why?
Don't want much do I? Sorry.  :-*

And can I add- how do you stop the shredded paper from blowing away?

I used shredded paper in my compost bins last year, that seemed to be ok. This year am planning on using it all over the place. My plan is to put it down first, then add grass cuttings, my own compost etc then wet the lot. That should hold it!

;)

I'm using a combination of straw and shredded paper on some of my beds, I did find the paper on its own a little light - and it's very windy up here in the fens!  ;D

when I sieve my seed trayand pot compost, i keep the lumps that wont breakdown and use that as a mulch.  It works as next year it will be incorpated into the plot which is a bit heavy, so as time goes by it will degrade and open the soil till then.

Mulching is a dual purpose way of keeping the soil underneath moist and slows evaporation rate, and can help suppress weeds.  with shredded newspaper I pile in and mix with grass cuttings and leave in compost bin.  I also add this to been trench in september and with all kitchen waste and a little manure, cover and leave,  seems to work for my french beans, runners, and spring sown broadies.  Though I have been lazy in the winter and just add loads in a trecn for my runners and gave it a good soaking before covering only yesterday.....:D

some great tips - thats what I love about this forum

bob flowerdew reckons, earth  the potatoes up first, then put newspaper collars around them, cover wth grass clippings, the paper keeps the potatoes from going green..seems to be working  ;D

I need a bigger lawn- haven't got enough grass cuttings!

we don't have a lawn but we do have lovely neighbours who are willing to swap grass cuttings for a share of the harvest, we just supply the bags  :)

Good idea. Soaked some paper yesterday & put it round plants, with some compost on top. Today it's all dried out &will probably be all over the plot tomorrow. >:(

Quote from: manicscousers on April 16, 2007, 20:21:31
bob flowerdew reckons, earth  the potatoes up first, then put newspaper collars around them, cover wth grass clippings, the paper keeps the potatoes from going green..seems to be working  ;D

ooo like this one ... what to do with the local tackie rag !!  ;D

 :-\

Oh dear caroline! We just need a bit of decent rain, never satisfied, us gardeners!

;)