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Re: [nafex] Plastic tree mats/mulch





There you go again Bernie, doing my home work for me. Thanks for all the 
research.
One study I read said putting bark etc on top of the mulch was no longer 
advised because weeds grew in it, and yet the rotting matter never reached 
the roots.  Another study in Minnesota was of wool mats used in a strawberry 
trial with good success.....but I don't finds them on the market yet.
I am on my fourth year using old 4' carpet squares , I have learned to keep 
the pile facing  up - as it catches more rain, the mice don't use it for 
insulated bedding underneath, and they seem to deteriorate less.  I take 
them up for the winter, to discourage mice and to keep them from getting 
rooted.  Of course if they are left to rot into the soil they are a 
nightmare to a rototiller. I have tried putting fresh cut young hay under 
the carpet mats and that seems to hold promise for getting organic matter 
and worms going without herbicide or tilling....but it sure doesn't let in 
the sun's warmth!
I have 300 more  trees coming, 200 of them are non-fruit conservation 
plantings I want to plant and forget about, so that's some  of   my interest 
in plastic mulch.
How deep and close are they recommending to till around a young tree, I 
would think that would be dicey. Also,  I would be concerned about erosion 
here if  I tilled the apple orchard hill continuously.   Thanks, Del -  
where our first sign of spring is Canada Geese hoping to land on our frozen 
ponds and georgeous Sand Hill Cranes walking our bare tilled fields.


Del Stubbs http://www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3


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