What was formerly a field of tall
grass rowing on a gentle slope soon became a
fertile garden bed. Using the sheet mulch echnique,
we saved ourselves the labour of removing the
sod by piling layers and layers of mulch material
on top. The mulch uffocates the grass and add
loads of organic material in which to plant
seedlings. We began with nitrogen-rich fresh
manure gathered from a local cow farmer.
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On top, we scattered bales of hay.
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Hay, we learned, is dried grass and pasture
flowers
used to feed domestic animals when fresh grass
isn't available. It differs from straw, which
is the dried, leftover stalk from grain. Straw
can be used as a top-dressing (final layer of
mulch) while hay cannot, because it is chock
full of grass seed. After the hay, we placed
a layer of flattened cardboard boxes on top
and thoroughly soaked them with water.
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The cardboard suppresses weeds, and we watered
it to begin the process of decay.
Next came a layer of well-composted sawdust
and a final layer of well-decomposed horse manure.
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We planted peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, perennial
and annual flowers.
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The image below shows how the garden looked
once the volunteers had finished up their work
and gone home.
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Straw mulching had to be placed in and around
all the perennials, annuals and vegetables.
It was imperative for Chas to complete the final
step as quickly as possible to suppress invasive
weeds from re-establishing and undoing all our
hard work. The top layer of mulch not only prevents
weeds from growing by shading the surface of
the soil, it also reduces the amount of water
used by keeping the soil cool, and enriches
the soil as it decomposes and breaks down.
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Here Chas is almost finished straw-mulching
the entire bed.
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And there you have it: a finished
garden. Other projects we worked on included:
a Willow Fence,
Solar Shower,
and a visit to
WindMill Point Farm."
Written by Anna
Przychodzki (workshop
participant, volunteer at the Sustainable
Living Network)
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