Mulch preferences...

AliSmith13 6/5/2010, 3:44 pm

I know there are a lot of different things you can successfully use for
mulch, but I am curious to get others' opinions as to what you use, what
you do and don't like about it, and how successfully it's worked for
you...

Garden_State 6/5/2010, 4:12 pm

I used straw that I bought for the strawberries and had a lot left over. I mulched all but 2 beds (plants are to small yet). I liked that it was cheap and supporteda local farmer. It can be a little hard to get around the plants since the "fibers" are a little long. Otherwise it seems to be doing the job. Also, I used in on the ground between the boxes on top of the weed fabric I laid down over the entire area.

Happy Gardening!!

Pete

PeggyC 6/5/2010, 6:28 pm

I thought one of the super duper things about SFG is that mulching is supposed to be unnecessary. Personally I've got some grass problems, and have considered mulching, but I decided to just yank the grass sprouts and keep the integrity of the Mel's Mix going.

If I mulch other than SFG stuff, I use grass clippings and/or shredded paper.

Megan 6/5/2010, 6:34 pm

I used straw that I got for free in my potato boxes and to stretch my MM when potting my catnip. But apparently it was more 'hay' than 'straw', as I now I have a lovely crop of delicate grass coming up everywhere I used that straw!

pattipan 6/5/2010, 6:48 pm

I asked almost the same question awhile back. It's getting harder to find those posts now! Thank goodness for the forum's search feature.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/general-sfg-talk-f5/what-do-you-use-for-mulch-in-your-sfg-t917.htm?highlight=mulch

I thought about using the shredded newspaper, but I will probably use straw like Megan. I need some for my strawberries too! I think it's a good idea to help retain moisture and to prevent soil splash-back on plants, especially tomatoes.

Patti

Megan 6/5/2010, 6:58 pm

pattipan wrote:
I thought about using the shredded newspaper, but I will probably use straw like Megan. I need some for my strawberries too! I think it's a good idea to help retain moisture and to prevent soil splash-back on plants, especially tomatoes.

Patti

I need to understand splash-back better. I have been getting a lot of it this spring as we've had a series of pretty intense thunderstorms. I have tried carefully brushing off dried-out soil on leaves, or washing it off, but I am honestly not sure how much of this I should be doing. (And I can imagine my dad asking me what on earth I think I am doing!!)

AliSmith13 6/6/2010, 12:38 am

PeggyC wrote:I thought one of the super duper things about SFG is that mulching is supposed to be unnecessary.

Well, I mainly want it more for temperature control and water retention of the soil. But, I also have not made the transition into SFG yet. I stumbled upon this site a couple of days ago and am already waiting for my book which should arrive on Monday! I had already planted my raised bed gardens, so I couldn't make the switch right away (but I totally would if I could!) So it will be a gradual transition as I rotate crops out and hopefully next year I'll see a big difference from this year!

Any way, so I just mowed the lawn, so I gathered some clippings to dry and I guess I'll try that first and see how it goes.... Mulch preferences... Icon_smile

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