Lawn clippings for mulch (forum)

Wayne starts with ...
Hi guys
I'm running a bit late getting the vegie garden going, what with the wet and holidays etc but I'm now ready to rock and roll.
Just before Xmas I covered my above ground beds with about 3" lawn clippings and things look good. A Cane farmer friend made mention the other day that lawn clippings are not real good for vegie gardens.
So now I'm confused, your thoughts would help

Time: 8th April 2010 3:56pm

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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Brad says...
If I were using lawn clippings on vegie beds, I'd do it through a composter. If you really want to do it directly add blood and bone or manure at the same time as the clippings.

I suspect the cane farmer's logic is the same reason you need to alternate wet and dry / green and brown materials in a compost heap.

hth

Time: 8th April 2010 4:56pm

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About the Author Brad2
Como, Perth
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Julie says...
3" of lawn clippings has two disadvantages: it will encourage flies to breed in it, and compact down so the water can't enter.

Better to add a thinner layer at a time, or dry it out then add it.

Best of all is to compost it, as Brad says. Add some dry ingredients (leaves, shredded paper) and your veggie scraps and check to see it doesn't dry out. Green lawn clippings are quite high in nitrogen if the lawn has been fed.

Time: 8th April 2010 7:39pm

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Original Post was last edited: 8th April 2010 7:41pm

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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amanda says...
Hey Wayne, glad to hear you are drying out at last!? Off the topic...but have you thought of a mulching mower? I use one on my buffaloe lawn and I reckon it's great? No more emptying the catcher and it would break down much better in your environment than mine. I don't get thatch build up - which thought I would with buffaloe, and use very little fert's and less water.
Anyway - just thought I'd mention it.

Time: 8th April 2010 9:36pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Wayne says...
Thank you for your advise guys, and you are right Julie, the mulch does form a seal. I will do as you say and compost it first

Time: 9th April 2010 4:37am

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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Brendan says...
Hi Wayne, good to see you back,
Sugar cane mulch is the way to go. Either from bunnies or you can buy a 4' x 4' round bale from the 'Pocket Trader'. These are a bit rough, but I just spread it on the ground and run over it with the mower. Works a treat.

I use lawn clippings around the banana trees, on top of the fertilizer & dolomite :-)

Time: 9th April 2010 7:17am

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About the Author Brendan
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BJ says...
Maybe it is beginner's lucky, but I've had some success with mixing shredded paper with equal quantities of lawn clippings. It isn't an exact science but it seems to work pretty well.
If you don't have a shredder at home or you have a lot more lawn than I do many commercial offices produce bags of the stuff each week and are happy to give it away...

Time: 9th April 2010 9:06am

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About the Author BJ11
WA
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kert says...
Lawn clippings are excellent when composted .Add a few worms for extra speed. The final product has pH 6 or thereabouts and ,for blueberries ,add sulphur to lower pH to around 4.5 to 5.2 .This may take a couple of months and the worms do not tolerate sulphur well. At the end one has a product that grows blueberries well without further manipulation.

Time: 11th April 2010 1:26pm

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