And by mulch I mean any old thing, don’t go mortgaging your house for fancy store bought stuff. In the absence of garden waste (which I find hard to believe – there are always things to prune or weed) there will be an old blanket lurking in the shed, a daggy jersey he’ll never miss, a lawn to mow, or plenty of organic matter on the roadside (bracken, leaves, pine needles, seawrack)….. mulch is everywhere!
For the world’s best ever vegie garden mulch put seceteurs in pocket, wheelbarrow in tow and trundle around weeding and pruning. Herbs come into play here – cut and come again vigorous growers like yarrow, tansy, lemon balm, borage and comfrey provide enormous amounts of nutritious matter for mulch. Toss all the ingredients together and spread it on. Too easy.
The thing is to keep topping it up (which is not as arduous as it sounds). This steady drip feed of organic matter is slow release fertiliser – better than any you’ll buy. And as a 2 for 1 deal, it helps keep weeds at bay.
Whenever you mow, spread it on. Whenever you weed or prune – cut it up and spread it on. Returning these bits brings your garden full circle – as it grew it took, now it’s given back.
Oh I know, I know! But Kath I fear the seedy weedy bits. What of spreading those evil vagrants from my verge to my veg bed!?
your fear is well placed Lee … don’t be using the evil bits! Drown them or sludge them or leave to languish beneath thick mulch.
so all cut up with your secateurs? No secret mulcher? 🙂
yip, by hand! but its a little and often thing Terri, so its not a big mish. I dream of a mulcher, but it needs to be silent 🙂
Hi Kath – do you recommend pine needles for mulch for fruit trees and vege garden. We are surrounded by pine trees and have needles galore! All I have researched is not to use them in loads. Should I mix them with something? I also use heaps in the chook pen and use those to throw around as well when the chooks have finished with them. Thanks.
Hi Pattie
Yes I agree – use them but mix with other organic matter. Which is my advice whatever you’re using – a mixed diet is best for the soil. + grass clippings, crop residue, chookyard stuff.. whatever your ‘waste’ is. Toss it together and lay it down.
best
Kath
Hi Kath,
Do you know if it is ok to use the fermented scraps of fruit and veg and occasional chicken bone, in the compost bin? If I bury it as recommended, my dog goes to great effort to break into my garden and dig them up and eat them!
Cheers, Helen
No finer sense of smell than a dog! (I dont s’pose we talking labrador aka little piggy here 🙂 )Yes indeed you can use them in the compost. By fermented do you mean bokachi?