Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Fargir@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/13/2006 10:01:17 A.M. Central Standard Time, laurabrownmckenzie@worldnet.att.net writes:

>If I had mulch enough I would lay out newspaper in the paths between the
raised terraced beds and then mulch the paths.  I think all the water in the
mulched beds is being wicked away and into the dry and exposed paths.  But I
can't afford mulch for the paths this year.  I had rye in the paths to grow
more mulch but so far I haven't the water to start a summer cover crop in
the paths and I'm told growing anything in the paths will draw away more
water anyway.<

 

    You might want to do what I did, for the heavily traveled parts of your garden. The area right by the gate and main paths.  Where you don't want to walk or push a cart through mud or work to keep it weed free.  Put down old carpet. The no pad,  synthetic, very low nap type works best.  The water goes through , weeds stay away, no mud to step or push through.   And best of all, you have saved room in the landfill for more disposable diapers. :-) !!!

    I don't use it for weed control in the growing part of the garden because of the weight factor.Once down and cut to shape it stays in the same place.

   I have the one in the garden down for over 5 years and it is still going strong. Makes one think about how long it would take to biodegrade  in a landfill?  The one under the trees ( that place where the picnic table and lawn chairs are and no grass grows because of the dogs and kids and tired grown-ups fixing lawnmowers or just sitting  and cooling off before more farm/garden work) has been there for 9 years and still doing fine except for some few creeping charley's that show up every year.  That stuff can grow ANYWHERE. If you can get one "dirt" or "grass" color, all the better.

Peggy