Planting Through Newspaper

[Feral007]

We're very windy here (all those beans and lentils..... )

But I've used paper/cardboard. Wet it, then add hay over the top (or like you suggested wood chips) usually I'm putting some dirt on the first hay and then hay again. Wetting between each layer.

But there are some areas where I'm just using paper and hay. As long as you wet the newspaper and then the hay it works. It's when you leave it dry that it takes off in the wind. The hay/chips on top of the paper helps keep the paper moist if you've watered it before adding the top layer.

So here, it's wet the ground/grass, add paper and wet it. Add hay, wet it, add dirt, wet, add hay wet.
I find it you put the paper on dry ground and then add the dry hay, it will not penetrate when you do water. But if you water as you make it, then it makes it stick together.

[Bigmallly]

Cheers Feral, must make a mental note to put a sprinkle of blue pellets & fertiliser on before I lay the paper.

[arpoet]

I got a fair quantity of corrigated cardboard when i had my new kitchen fitted and intend to use that as summer mulch. I will lay it down, water it then plant through it. I always use paper in my bean trench.
Roger

[Hans Mum]

I bow to all of your superior knowledges............however I am reluctant to just leave the paper on the surface as the plot is quite open. The last thing I want is HM on my case.......she ain't getting her hands on my plot........

Why would I want your plot when I have my own double greenhouse & shed now Just make sure it dont blow around site or Mrs W will be after you!!!
You could always use some of the copious amounts of chippings we have on site on top of it that should suit your everything neat & tidy disorder

[Bigmallly]

Why would I want your plot when I have my own double greenhouse & shed now Just make sure it dont blow around site or Mrs W will be after you!!!
You could always use some of the copious amounts of chippings we have on site on top of it that should suit your everything neat & tidy disorder

Thats the plan J but will have to be from the bottom of the heap..................I don't want to risk upsetting the balance of the soil with fresh chippings.

[Two_Sheds]

I've got sacks and sacks of shredded paper ...dampen it down nicely with plenty of water and stick that down around and in between the spuds?

Yes, that will work really well

Wondering if, once it dries out a bit, bits will just start getting blown around

My site is windy (look at my location) ~ in hot weather the paper can dry out and blow, so I weight it down with clods or a loose covering of soil.
In the winter, it stays where it is, because it's always wet

please weigh it down with something heavy.

sacks of leafmould; soil; stones; bottles of water

it was probably some of the best mulch I used.

yep, it's great. It diverts a waste resource (paper) from landfill, or saves air miles (from shipping it to India to be recycled), plus it IMPROVES your soil

I haven't found slugs to be a huge menace under the mulch. If it's laid really well, like papier mache, they can't easily get in and out of it, they prefer to hide under the planks I have scattered about the plot.
They haven't cottoned onto the fact that those hidey holes are deliberate: I just overturn the planks and salt the slugs.

[vikkib]

[QUOTE=Two_Sheds;1078563]Yes, that will work really well

Fabulous! Especially as I have half a small shed full of sacks of the stuff with half a dozen more in the car and it's still coming!

[Hans Mum]

Thats the plan J but will have to be from the bottom of the heap..................I don't want to risk upsetting the balance of the soil with fresh chippings.

Theres quite a bit of well rotted stuff around site if its not covered in snow at w/end I'll point em out to you - you can get it up to your plot before it disappears onto my new paths

[Feral007]

I've just been talking organic grassy hay with the organic meat man! Could be that the Fruit and Nut Forest will be mulched up big time sometime soon!

[Sheneval]

Theres quite a bit of well rotted stuff around site if its not covered in snow at w/end I'll point em out to you - you can get it up to your plot before it disappears onto my new paths

Lots of wood chips outside our gates dumped by the Council - I have been using the fresh stuff on my paths - most of the heap that is left is somewhat rotted - what are the benfits of using it as a mulch on the beds apart from weed suppression? Will it not use up the nitrogen in the soil? Will it help improve drainage?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Will it not use up the nitrogen in the soil? Will it help improve drainage?

Yes to the first part imho. May well improve drainage initially but the benefits will reduce as the bark biodegrades

[Sheneval]

Thanks AP

[muddyfeet]

I've got sacks and sacks of shredded paper from my Mum's work and I'm wondering whether I could dampen it down nicely with plenty of water and stick that down around and in between the spuds?

Wondering if, once it dries out a bit, bits will just start getting blown around and annoying my plot neighbours!

I'm gradually sticking it in the compost and it's great for getting the fire going on the plot but I've still got so much left I need more inspiration for uses!

I used shredded bills around the strawberries last two years, 2011 it blew around and was a bit messy when it was dry, but no problem with that in 2012! Both years it had rotted down by the end of the year.
Also it was a bit in your face white and stood out like a sore thumb when it was new. Seemed to work okay at keeping the fruit separate from the slugs though.

[Bigmallly]

Yes to the first part imho. May well improve drainage initially but the benefits will reduce as the bark biodegrades

Am I right in thinking the well rotted chipping won't be as damaging to the structure of the soil. Initially it will be used just to hold the paper in place then dug in over autumn/winter next year.

[Bigmallly]

Theres quite a bit of well rotted stuff around site if its not covered in snow at w/end I'll point em out to you - you can get it up to your plot before it disappears onto my new paths

Teamwork J, you start at the top & I'll take the bottom............