Using Rotted Wood as a Mulch? Any Downside?
13 years ago
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Comments (14)
- 13 years ago
- 13 years ago
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Growing veggies in tires...any downside?
Comments (9)Having rocky soils at several places where I've lived, I've tried nearly everything for raised beds. Tires were the most awkward, the most difficult to fill, the worst to dismantle, and actually cost money to dispose of. So far, the best seem to be (age will tell) circles made from baked enameled roofing metal. If you go to a place that sells roofing metal* (NOT metal roofs), they will often sell it to you flat (uncrimped -- BE SURE TO SPECIFY THAT), right off the roll. I've bought 10-ft lengths (I think they're about 39" wide) and had them cut them into three sections about 13" wide. Cutting metal is their business, so let them do it, they do a nice, quick, smooth job. A 10' length makes a 38" circle. Ask if they have sales, for future reference. They roll them up and tape them for you so you can carry them home in a Miata. Keep the kids away when you untape them, they spring open quickly and lay flat. Allow for a 1" overlap, drill three (matching) holes down each end, insert short screws and nuts (stainless steel is a little more expensive, but I would recommend them) and you've got a garden bed. I think the metal was about $1.50/ft, so that would be $15 for 10 ft, cut in thirds would be $5 per bed (plus screws). Cutting was free. Since their sheet metal comes off a huge spool, they might cut them longer for bigger beds, but keep in mind that they flex until they're filled, so watch the circle for distortions as you fill... unless you WANT an oval or egg-shaped bed. If that edge bothers you, get on your local FreeCycle and ask for some old leaky garden hoses. Cut a slit in them and push over the edge. *In my phonebook, they're listed under ROOFING MATERIALS. Sue...See MoreHow can I use rotted wood?
Comments (4)Thanks for your responses. I think my best bet would be to use it as a soil amenment for my new beds. I need to find a source of nitrogen other than urine though. I don't put down mulch because of my slug problem, caused by having so much wood on the property in the first place. I have already gone the hugelkultur route with several of the logs and I don't have space for anymore of it. So I'll just bag it up and save it for later. After all the frustration I'm glad I'll get some use out of that wood....See MoreXpost: Thoughts on Strand Bamboo - Any downsides?
Comments (8)Thanks so much for the experiences. It sounds like folks are happy with their strand bamboo. We would go with solid, I think, and a floating click floor if we go that route. I really don't want to deal with glue on the concrete after what I've been reading about what that means for failed floors or down the road... Suzannesl - I'm surprised to hear you recommend a laminate over bamboo. Laminate is on the option list, but the consensus seems to be that it is the worst option when it comes to water - and bamboo is close to the best? I think the benefit of laminate as it has been sold to me is that it could handle big dogs with minimal scratching - but it seems the bamboo is as good or better without looking like plastic? Are you talking about the LVT option? If so, yeah, it's a great option until you factor in that it would require either a subfloor for us (which makes it as expensive as bamboo or more) or glue down on the cement while figuring out some way to deal with the old heat vent holes. Plus, it just looks like plastic in the colors I want (a medium brown). I'll definitely look into those water mats. I'll also have tile at the front door, but that will only go so far. The only problem I am hearing about with strand bamboo is problems with cupping/buckling in some cases. I need to look into that more......See MoreAny problem using shredded christmas trees as mulch?
Comments (13)We may be getting somewhat over cautious about this subject :-) Shredded Christmas trees are a perfectly fine mulch, treated or not. Whatever the tree are sprayed with is highly unlikely to leach into the soil and at this time of year, contact with any edibles is pretty limited anyway. And it sure makes far more sense to recycle these things into a mulch product than to dump them into the landfill. FWIW, there is a very strong growing presence of organic Christmas tree farms. They are becoming more and more prevalent and popular here in the PNW where the bulk of cut Christmas trees are grown. And while not necessarily certified as organic, most cut your own lots use very few pesticides - it is just not practical. Currently there are 'environmentally friendly' commercial Christmas tree operations in 22 states....See More- 13 years ago
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