Organic Gardening will upgrade its login and registration system on
December 11. The new system is needed to support some of the major site
enhancements that we are currently developing. The new system is shared with
other Rodale sites, including Prevention, Men's Health, Runner's World and Women's Health.
Click here for answers to the most frequently
asked questions related to the new system.
I have always used leaves to mulch my onions, garlic and carrots. I first chop them up in smaller peaces using my law mower. That way the wind doesn't pick it up and it will compost for next year!
In my organic books they always talk about hay and straw to mulch, never did it because I don't have easy access to it. I can't answer if the rotten hay can be use to mulch, I would worry that it would make leaves rotten too. I would maybe use that for future compost instead.
Hope this helps.
_________________________ Andre
If man cheats the earth, the earth will cheat man.
Posts: 69 | Location: New-Brunswick, Canada, Zone 3b | Registered: April 29, 2008
I would use it all as mulch. Careful not to get it too close to the onion bulbs, you don't want them to be sitting with moisture on their heads, they will rot.
Rotten means the composting has begun.
---------------------------------------- Everything that blooms and grows, the garden angel scatters and sows...in the land of corn and pigs...gardensandquiltsatyahoodotcom
Posts: 2469 | Location: Zone 4-5, North Central Iowa | Registered: April 12, 2002
The short answer to your question is "YES", what you have is good for mulch and compost and that is the best use for all of it. You mulch to 1) aid in the suppression of unwanted plant growth ("weeds"), 2) aid in moisture retention, 3) aid in keeping the soil cooler, and 4) help add more organic matter to your soil. All of what you have will do all that and contribute some nutrients to your soil. Compost is made to stabilize the more volatile nutrients and good, finished compost will do more to get soil into a good, healthy state than anything else. Both are advisable to use in every garden.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
Posts: 2187 | Location: Central Michigan along the Lakeshore | Registered: August 28, 2004
Thanx all....I planned on mulching between tomato and pepper rows, and use it in potato rows...but was scepticle with the onions, never mulched there...or with my huge garlic crop either,lol. Just want to keep as organic as possible....thanx.
Posts: 173 | Location: Upstate NY, zone 5 | Registered: July 07, 2007
