I’ve got a huge pile of woodchip available – and as much as we want when we’ve used this up!

This pdf (right click file save as) is research done into the use of woodchip as a mulch cover.
http://fls.cals.cornell.edu/OCRPDF/FLS-002.pdf

3. The main-plot treatments that included hardwood chips as a soil amendment were particularly beneficial in terms of effects on crop yields, on several chemical and physical soil properties, and on indices of soil biological population and activity.

Under continuous cropping to vegetables, topdressing with hardwood chips after planting (the chips to be plowed under the following year) was an outstanding treatment with respect to effects on yields and maintenance or buildup of soil nitrogen and structure.

Wood Chips in Vegetable Production
Brian Caldwell

J. Arthur bowers cocoa shell mulch – J. Arthur bowers cocoa shell mulch ( Mulch – J. Arthur bowers cocoa shell)

Cocoa shell mulch is perfect for suppressing weeds and holding moisture in beds and borders, and is a natural by-product of chocolate manufacturing.
It rots down gradually, improving the structure of the soil but will need topping up every few years. Once the cocoa shell has been spread over the borders and has got wet, it will form a crust which binds it together. This crust will help prevent slug and snail attack.

Each bag covers approximately 1.5 square metres at a depth of 5 cm

Please note: Cocoa shell contains the naturally occurring substance theobromine. If eaten by dogs, this can be very harmful. Please keep your dog away from the treated area until the mulch has settled i.e. a couple of weeks. If you are still concerned, please contact your local vet.
A white mould occasionally appears on cocoa shell when first applied this soon disappears as the cocoa shell starts to form the crust which binds it together.

If you have a dog I would avoid this product just to stop you worrying. If you love chocolate though you’ll love this!

Easy Gardener-weedblock 3ft. x 50ft. Landmaster Biodegradable Paper Mulch 30702
Made from recycled paper contains no chemicals and is OMRI Listed. Ideal seasonal solution for use in annual beds and gardens. The thick absorbent paper blocks weeds and helps conserve moisture. Can be tilled back into the soil at season end putting nutrients back where they are needed. Eco-friendly seasonal weed control. Conserves soil moisture – lets air in. OMRI Listed – USDA organic standards – Approved for organic food production. Natural Color. 3 x 50 . Length: 3. Width: 36. Height: 3

Got hedge cuttings that are a bit too big to compost? Shred them through this machine and you’ll quickly make great compost or use the clippings a tidy mulch.
Suttons Seeds have this great machine that has a long-lasting steel cutting gear blade that will slice through branches up to 40mm (1½”) in diameter.

How to shred mulch – make sure the branches aren’t too thick and put them through this machine. Collect the shreddings and either compost them in a heap for a few weeks or apply as a 2-3″ layer of mulch immediately.
Shredded material will compost down more quickly. Intermix layers of shreddings with grass clippings and other waste for a good compost mix.

Shredding hedge clippings means they take up less space too so are more likely to fit in your compost bin!

AL-KO Silent Power 5000 Electric Gear Shredder £379.99
Shredding is a simple and environmentally friendly way to dispose of garden rubbish, and create a super organic mulch for beds and borders. The AL-KO Silent Power SP5000 shredder has a kickback-free feeder mechanism and a hardened steel gear that “pulls” the material through, crushing it silently and safely (because the material is crushed the rate of decomposition is accelerated, leading to quicker composting!). Features:• Reverse feed function to remove jammed material and ensure blockage-free operation.• Anti-friction rolling system which significantly reduces noise levels.• Long-lasting steel cutting gear blade that will slice through branches up to 40mm (1½”) in diameter.• A unique and extra sturdy undercarriage with larger wheels for enhanced stability and easy transport all around the garden.• 3 pin moulded plug & 6m (20′) cable. Weight 25kg.. . . . . .

Don’t have room for a compost bin? Don’t want to fill a green bin with grass clippings?
Use a mulch mower and the lawn cuttings stay on the lawn but are finely chopped up making a useful mulch!

This mulching mower is available now at Suttons Seeds

AL-KO 40E Comfort Electric Lawnmower £159.99
With a 40cm (16″) cutting width and powerful 1400 watt induction motor, the AL-KO 40E Comfort will make short work of mowing your lawn. Attach the large 43 litre grass collector (with fill level indicator) if you want to collect the clippings, or the mulching plug to finely chop them and send them back into your lawn as a natural fertiliser. Other features include:• A convenient safety handlebar which is accessible from the top and both sides, and cable strain relief which keeps the cable out of the way during mowing.• A wedge shaped design which allows for easy mowing under bushes and shrubs.• Easy single lever 6 stage height adjustment from 28mm (1″) to 68mm (2¼”).• Through axles which ensure extra stability and straight running.Supplied with 16 metres (52½’) of cable. Weight 19kg. Some home assembly required. 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.Voted Amateur Gardening BEST BUY 2008. . . . . .

Suttons Seeds have two packs of Mulch mats available.

Mulch Mats £4.99
Our organic fyba mats will protect strawberries, salad crops and newly planted shrubs from muddy splashes, deter slugs, suppress weeds and retain moisture around the plant roots – and they stop fruit from rotting when they touch bare soil. Each mat is approximately 30cm (12″) square. Buy 2 packs SAVE £2.00!. Pack of 10. . . . .

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