posted
Hello all, I have found grass clippings to be an excellent mulch for vegetables which like temperature controlled soil (beets, carrots, etc). When I mow my lawn I make piles of grass clippings for this purpose...after just a few days the piles of grass get white mold due to lack of oxygen. Is it problematic to use the moldy grass for vegetable mulching? Thanks for the advice. Brendan from Vermont
Plants: 10 | From: Burlington, VT | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 166.19.102.20
While I personally have a problem being around mold and mildew, I am extremely allergic, I have heard of people using moldy grass clippings instead of manure...
I hope this helps in some small way.
If LONGY happens to get here, I am sure that he can explain it a lot better, with the reasoning behind it as well, I imagine.
* * * * Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony... ~Mahatma Gandhi
Rocking through the night All is silent...Southern Cross
Plants: 1064 | From: usa | Registered: Jan 2005
| Seeded: 24.91.238.31
posted
I'm hopin' longy can answer the moldy part too... I am not sure one way or the other...
But a way to solve the problem I found when using grass as a mulch was to take one of those flats I got my flowers in and kind of "sift" the grass on to the top of the dirt, and it gave it an more even coating, and not too many lumps and piles... and spread it out better for me.....
For me, the grass ended up getting like a dry piece of something over the top of the soil and didn't allow enough moisture in, and would even act as a barrier to the water and it would roll off the top and down where I didn't want the water..
I used grass, as well as a ton of other ideas... I ended up using landscape fabrics on my raised beds, and haven't gone back to any other method since..I re~use the fabric every year... it stays right on top of my dirt, only removing it to add/admend soil, and re~configure planting scheme. Then back on, re~plant and it's good to go...
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Thank you. I've often wondered whether or not rain can get through the thick lumps of grass. Perhaps the thick clumps would act better as weed prevention around the edge of the garden. I think I'll make a point of spreading it on thinner in the future. Thanks again!
Plants: 10 | From: Burlington, VT | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 166.19.102.20
quote:If LONGY happens to get here, I am sure that he can explain it a lot better, with the reasoning behind it as well, I imagine.
Well, Longy is headed for Africa about now...not sure how long he will be gone...I forgot to ask!
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 162.40.160.190
posted
Oops. I can't hide anywhere. Greetings from Angola. Ain't technology somethin? I think the mould as such won't be a problem to the plants, but the mould being there because of lack of air penetration could be a problem. I'd mix the grass clippings with something like sheep droppings or similar to allow air and also moisture to penetrate to the soil. Actually, i wouldn't, i'd compost the lot and then add it. But you get my drift.
* * * * The secret is the soil. Plants: 1184 | From: East Coast | Registered: Sep 2004
| Seeded: 146.27.122.18
Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 162.40.163.20
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Hi Brendan,
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