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  • From: "Jan Lite" <liteshoe AT gmail.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Market-farming] Mulch
  • Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 14:14:36 -0500



>I'd like to try putting down mulch over my garden to reduce weeds and help
>the soil.  It's about 3 acres, but I'm really not sure how to get it done.
>Also not sure how to plant a garden on it.

I like the suggestion about growing your own mulch.
Any chance of a cover crop such as a cereal rye/legume mixture?

When that's whacked down, you'll have biomass galore - not only above ground to supress weeds but the extensive rye roots will add alot of OM below, plus N from the legume. Plant right into the mulch.
NC State had a great success with a recent no-till cucurbit trial.

I don't know what does well in your area, but that's how I'm improving my excessively-drained sand.

I'm cautious with off-farm inputs - here's one mulch cautionary tale:
www.newfarm.org/features/2007/0707/update/waterpenny.shtml

Good luck! Mulch has reduced my watering needs at a time I'm getting less from the sky.



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