![]() ![]() Leave grass clippings on the lawn when you mow. However, if you choose not to compost, here are other methods for recycling yard waste materials. For information on composting, refer to message 3101. ![]() Composting is an excellent way to process and reuse these organic materials. Most people think of composting when they consider the process of recycling materials like leaves, grass clippings and garden debris. In addition, it is now illegal for many homeowners to dispose of yard waste in their household trash. ![]() You can recycle these organic materials in ways that will benefit both your plants and the environment. After a short while however this is not so much of a problem, and the slugs can be dealt with in the normal manner by various organic pest controlmethods.Instead of looking at leaves, grass clippings and other garden debris as waste, recycle them in your yard. I have to mention a downside to grass mulching, and that is the dreaded slugs! Especially at the beginning of the process, you may well find that slugs are attracted by the grass clippings. A weed suppressant membrane can be used effectively to stop weeds and retain moisture – but again it has no composting benefits. Shredded bark or bark chippings can be used, although they do not carry the same composting advantages as paper or grass. The worms in particular seem to love it and so the whole nutrient-process gets an added lift as the worms do their thing.Ĭardboard boxes can also be cut up and laid down as a mulch – but do beware of and remove any staples to prevent future pain and grief as an old rusty staple sinks into your hands as you are working the soil – could ruin your whole day! Paper can also be laid out without shredding as a weed suppressant cover under grass clippings or other mulching material. Shredded paper makes good mulching material, but do not use any paper with color pictures as the ink contains chemicals that may well be harmful. Mulching can of course be done with many other materials besides grass clippings. This may well drown out young seedlings for a while but as long as you do not cover them entirely and let the sun do it’s thing – they will soon rise above the mulch as you can see from the picture above. Spread them out between your plants at least 2 inches thick, but preferably 3-4 inches for best effect. Simply collect your grass clippings form the collecting basket, or rake them into a pile. I hesitate to even include this section – it’s just too simple, but what they heck… Mulching early in the season will help protect young plants from an unexpected late frost.Īs you can see, there are many benefits to mulching around your vegetables with grass clippings □ Grass clippings mulched around the base of vegetables will protect them from moisture loss and add nitrogen to the soil How to lay your mulch:.The mulch encourages worms which will pull the decomposing grass down into the earth and improve your soil structure.As the grass decomposes it adds nutrients to the soil and improves the soil conditions.The thick layer of grass cuttings helps to keep the soil around the base of the plant moist, reducing the need for constant watering – thereby saving water and your precious time!.Mulching between your vegetables with grass clippings restricts the growth of pesky weeds – an ongoing battle for every gardener! Any weeds that do manage to poke through are easily lifted from the soil.Also sometimes called layer composting (though in fact this is a slightly different process) it is an extremely effective way to benefit your plants, and has many benefits in general – just check out the list below. Simple, use the grass clippings to mulch around the veggie patch. Heavy mulching with grass clippings helps to keep weeds at bay ![]()
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