Woodland mulch

[Philll]

Hi everyone

Thought I would run my approach by you, any constructive criticism would be appreciated.

first I have taken over an allotment which has not been used for at least 2-3 years. It was waist deep in grass and weeds, this I have removed using a turfing iron. I took this approach so not to disturb the soil, as I love the idea of the no dig approach. Next I have covered the grow area in a weed suppressant, BTW by the time I got round to laying the weed suppressant the grass was again a few inches deep. This should take care of the grass and any weeds, it’s been down for about 3 months now. The weed suppressant is permeable, so water can soak through. This has led me to the idea of leaving the suppressant down and covering the grow area in a woodland mulch. I do not intend to dig this in, merely cover the soil and slowly break down, resulting in nutrients passing through the weed suppressant. When I do eventually plant out, I was going to brush back the woodland mulch, make a slit in the suppressant and plant any seeds or young plants before putting back the woodland mulch over the seed or around the plant.

I hope the above makes sense and I look forward to any comments!

Philll

[charles]

Hello Philll, nice to hear your method which sounds good for clearing weeds.
I am concerned that your ‘suppressant’ is plastic? is it mypex for example? I would not leave any synthetic material in the soil, it will interfere with movement of soil life and roots for a very long time. Unlike say cardboard which just breaks down and is eventually worm food. If much of your grass is couch, you may need to use some cardboard, if not the compost should provide enough light-suppressing cover.
Most nutrients in compost and older manure are not water soluble, they are distributed by soil life and become available in warmer conditions.

[Philll]

Hi Charles

Thanks very much for your reply. Of course you are right, I don’t know what I was thinking! Effectively I would be creating a barrier between the soil life and the mulch. Thanks again for pointing it out .

I may have to use cardboard as you have suggested, I will see once I have removed the weed suppressant.

Have you any experience with using a woodland mulch as a covering?

Thanks Phil

[zuf]

Why not remove the suppressant and cover the grow area in woodland mulch and then put back the suppressant for more “dark cover”.
When time for planting, you have only one thing to do, remove suppressant and you are ready to plant.
What exactly do you mean by woodland mulch?

[Philll]

Hi Zuf

Think I’m going to remove the suppressant as soon as I am ready to put down the mulch. If I use a good 4 inches of mulch it should be enough to stop the weeds or at least limit them.

Phil

[Author]

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