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Anybody use burlap as mulch?

12 years ago

I'm getting some 150 bags from a coffee roaster today, thought I'd put them down before the weeds start in my new beds. But I also bought oats, figuring that I could either let them grow and support the peas, or whack them down for green manure before putting out the summer crops.

Which would be better for which crops? Should I just put the burlap (a couple of layers if it's loose weave) down where I want to put out my starts or direct-seed the summer crops, that way I can take it up, or take the top layer(s) off when I'm ready to plant? I figure if it's loose the direct-seeded plants will grow right through (though the weeds may then too!), and I can cut it (thicker layers) to put in my starts (may even start pumpkins, cukes, etc. inside, the cukes transplanted well last year)?

Just sow the oats where I'm growing peas, maybe onions, garlic, potatoes, and cut them down later? Or let them grow with the real crops? I'm afraid potatoes and such won't grow through burlap.

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Comments (5)

myfamilysfarm
12 years ago
I haven't used burlap, but did try carpet pieces. Don't try them. the weeds grew thru it and it was close to impossible to remove at end of season. It did help with walking thru really muddy fields, but not worth the hassle of removing.

Marla
tulsacityfarmer
12 years ago
I use burlap to lay over my soil, after I plant carrots, to keep the soil moist and not letting it crust over until they emerge.
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2ajsmama
Original Author
12 years ago
tulsacityfarmer - do you remove the burlap once the carrots emerge, or do they grow right through it?
tulsacityfarmer
12 years ago
I remove the burlap once they emerge. It is used by me here in Oklahoma to keep my soil moist and so the soil does not crust over. I water over the burlap. Depending on soil temps. the carrots emerge i a week- 3 weeks and I remove the burlap.I've also used it on lettuce.
2ajsmama
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks - I laid some over the chicken litter and wood shavings I'm composting, after watering it. Haven't laid it down yet over the new areas I limed since I wanted to wait for rain. I planted 2 rows of kale (2 different kinds) today - still waiting a little bit for spinach, lettuce, carrots, radishes since market isn't til June and I want baby veggies. I soaked some peas on Sat, sent them to school with DD today so teacher could see how they're supposed to rehydrate (hope she soaks the paper towels in those cups), I'll plant those and some others I'm soaking tomorrow. Been looking like rain all day, once we get some rain I'll put burlap over the kale to keep the seeds moist and over the limed beds.

I didn't want to water the kale in since we're supposed to get rain (30%) tonight and again tomorrow afternoon, Wed. Once it rains I'll make sure I water on dry days. Of course the way the wind is blowing I hope the seeds don't blow away - I did sprinkle some starting mix and then some fine dry topsoil over them.

Next week looks dry - and might hit 83 on Monday! We had a week of 70's in mid-March but then it got seasonable again, though in most places that week was enough to put the trees and flowers about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Looks like a frost or freeze warning for this Wed night.

National Weather Service says "growing season" ought to be starting April 15 around here, so is going to start issuing frost and freeze warnings. Average last freeze in my town (lower elevation) is May 6, another town nearby (whose climate might be more like my microclimate) is May 12, we usually plan on mid-May as last freeze and put out summer transplants Memorial Day. Is it too late for spinach, peas, etc.?

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