permaculture

["Kevin Topek" <ktopek@houston.rr.com>]

I'm finding that sticks and branches, along with leaves and grass, makes the
best sheet mulch. The slime molds and fungi that thrive on the wood make a
lot of mucus that works it's way down and eventually fluffs up the soil. The
look is not so tidy, but the end result is worth it, especially since it
takes a minimum amount of effort.

Kevin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michelle" <homekeeper@clas.net>
To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 1:51 PM
Subject: Re: [permaculture] solarization


> I used this method a few years ago.  Worked wonderfully, and I did plant
> right away!  We also had some old carpet...did the same thing with it.
Then
> covered with mulch like the rest.  All decomposed quite nicely.
>
> >
> > But even better is to do it with cardboard/newspaper and a heavy mulch
> (8-12
> > inches, or topsoil (4-6 inches) on top of it. Then you don't have to use
> > plastic, or strip it off, or dispose of it, and it all breaks down into
> good
> > soil. This is sheet mulching. It's quicker (you can plant into it
> > immediately), saves steps, and is more environmentally responsible
> (recycles
> > wastes, less petroleum).
>
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