If you keep your eyes (and brain) open, there are many things that can be used for mulch. I have gathered a type of seaweed from the shore of the bay a few blocks from my home. I had noticed that this large, flat lettucelike leaf will dry up crispy on top when stranded by the tide, but when lifted up was dripping wet underneath. The top, crispy layer holds the moisture in until it is refloated by the tide. Makes a great mulch, keeping the ground moisture in around the plants and eventually breaking down into excellent fertilizer. The bay water it is in is not salty, so that is not a problem. The garden does smell a bit like the ocean, but it is not an unpleasant scent at all.
Abby I love the idea of using seaweed in the garden. Not only does it mulch but the seaweed breaks down into useable nutrients for the plants! It's like using kelp only better, because you get the mulch effect too
I don’t have access to wool sadly as I think it would go well as a warming mulch for the ground in winter and alternatively cooling in summer. I’m curious though about it breaking down like other mulch. I’d imagine it would take a very long time, or do the worms eventually get it incorporated into the soil?
Since my ground is mostly bentonite here, I garden in raised beds. Prior to putting in the dirt, I put in a 12-14" layer of scrap wool. Works great to help retain moisture, as a weed barrier and breaks down releasing nutrients!
Does the wool breakdown over the course of the year so that I could use the "yucky" wool from the next shearing? It would definitely be a wonderful way to use the wool that would just go in the garbage or compost pile..
Yes! It breaks down over the course of the year. Any wool I find the next year is very friable and degraded as it should be. I can easily pull it apart or bury it in an unused corner to finish. But most is broken down.
If you keep your eyes (and brain) open, there are many things that can be used for mulch. I have gathered a type of seaweed from the shore of the bay a few blocks from my home. I had noticed that this large, flat lettucelike leaf will dry up crispy on top when stranded by the tide, but when lifted up was dripping wet underneath. The top, crispy layer holds the moisture in until it is refloated by the tide. Makes a great mulch, keeping the ground moisture in around the plants and eventually breaking down into excellent fertilizer. The bay water it is in is not salty, so that is not a problem. The garden does smell a bit like the ocean, but it is not an unpleasant scent at all.
Abby I love the idea of using seaweed in the garden. Not only does it mulch but the seaweed breaks down into useable nutrients for the plants! It's like using kelp only better, because you get the mulch effect too
I don’t have access to wool sadly as I think it would go well as a warming mulch for the ground in winter and alternatively cooling in summer. I’m curious though about it breaking down like other mulch. I’d imagine it would take a very long time, or do the worms eventually get it incorporated into the soil?
The wool is mostly disintegrated over the year. I find very little wool when planting the next year's garden
Since my ground is mostly bentonite here, I garden in raised beds. Prior to putting in the dirt, I put in a 12-14" layer of scrap wool. Works great to help retain moisture, as a weed barrier and breaks down releasing nutrients!
That is a good plan! I will incorporate this idea next time I fill a raised bed. Especially love the weed barrier effect
Does the wool breakdown over the course of the year so that I could use the "yucky" wool from the next shearing? It would definitely be a wonderful way to use the wool that would just go in the garbage or compost pile..
Yes! It breaks down over the course of the year. Any wool I find the next year is very friable and degraded as it should be. I can easily pull it apart or bury it in an unused corner to finish. But most is broken down.
Every garden plant deserves its own little blankie! Plus, bad bird in the food. LOL! Your pictures reached a new height of cuteness this time!
Thank you! I couldn't believe I caught the photo of the bird in the feeder. I like the idea of nestling a blanket around each little seedling