Making mulch (forum)

Wayne starts with ...
Hello all
When mowing the yard I collect the clippings and seal them in garbage bags and set them aside. Should I be adding anything to them to help in the break down before using them as mulch. I normally leave them sealed for a couple of months before using them in hope that I've killed the weed seeds, is that OK
Thanks
Wayne

Time: 28th September 2007 8:09am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

Jared says...
For most of the weeds that should work. :)

As for farmers friends, they need to be soaked in water in a closed (to avoid mosquito breeding) container in the sun for several months to rot all the seeds, it makes a nice slimey liquid which is a great fertiliser for teh garden or to add to the compost pile/bin to assist with breakdown, add nutrients etc. (nice to know they are useful for something other than causing the trying-to-be-organic-as-possible-gardener endless stress)

We have also trialled clippings in different piles (you need to keep each mowing days pile seperate or do a month at a time, so it breaks down at a similar rate) onto the cement slab we have, and left in the rain and sun for months, turning occasionally until it is nice and broken down. This worked really really well.

This is possibly slower than the bag method, but less plastic lieing around for the dog to try chewing/eating (our dog eats metal sockets as well as trees, so plastic would be just as likely for her to snack on) or for little kids to suffocate with.

Time: 2nd October 2007 1:58am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Jared
Goonellabah
#UserID: 17
Posts: 6
View All Jared's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
Thanks Jared
I thought perhaps adding something to it to quicken the break down, lime perhaps. Occasionally I must pick up a worm or two with the mower, they do a great job

Time: 2nd October 2007 8:44pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees