rec.gardens.ecosystems homepage -> archive: MOD$981225.28681@rec.gardens.ecosystems



Subject: Re: No-Dig Gardening
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@flash.net>
Organization:
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 98 09:32:37
Message-ID: <MOD$981225.28681@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



I wrote about my experience with no-dig gardening saying
that I liked to use a layer of compost and/or well composted
manure as a mulch.

Jessie at Columbia in New York wrote:
>how thick do you make your layers of compost? Have you
>ever tried the newspaper method? If so, how do you
>think the two methods stack up?
I usually apply layers of compost about 2" (5 cm) thick. That's
about all that I can handle at any one time and I normally apply
the 2" layer twice a year - once after our January clean-up of
the garden (in Southern California) and once at the start of our
hot, dry summers. Keep in mind that I am using these layers
of compost as soil amendments to keep a high organic content
in my soil.

I have also used the "newspaper method" which is fine for weed
control but doesn't work as well as the compost for building and
keeping a high organic content. Layers of newspaper also need
to be covered with some kind of mulch simply to keep them in place.

I use newspaper only when I have no other options. For example,
Japanese Anenome is a righteously severe weed in our environment
and it spreads below the soil surface. A layer of newspaper 5 or 6
sheets in thickness blocks out the light and keeps things more or less
under control. Compost just makes the soil richer and it encourages
greater spread.

Bill

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