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  • From: Cameron Pedersen <campedersen AT gmail.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] mulching pathways
  • Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:26:18 -0500

We are looking for the most suitable way, at our scale of about 3 cultivated acres, to control weeds in the pathways between raised plastic mulch beds. For several reasons, we don't want to cultivate, which leaves us (as we see it) with 2 options: seeding the pathways with grass and mowing several times in the summer, or mulching once with straw or hay. Last year, we tried seeding grass, but because of the hot/dry summer much of it didn't germinate (but the weeds still did!) We are going to try seeding some rows again this year, but also wanted to give mulching a try. However, the expense and time of mulching 15000+ row feet by hand seems somewhat daunting! One of those nifty mulching implements would be great, but at our scale I'm not sure it would be cost effective. Last year, straw was going for $150+/ton around here.

Does anyone have any experience with mulching pathways on a small market farm scale? Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks!
Cameron

--
Bending Bridge Farm
www.bendingbridgefarm.com




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