[Scpg] seed savers? traders? in Santa Barbara/goleta

[Paul Racko]

Darla;

You can use the mulch both in planted and non-planted areas. Just be sure
not to mix the chips down into the soil because nitrogen will be robbed from
the plants as the soil tries to break down the carbon present in the wood
chips. Covering cardboard with it is also a great idea. Tree chips tend to
contain much leaf material. This will break down fairly quickly compared to
the wood that is present in the load. I usually re-mulch with a fresh load
every 18 months or so.

Paul


----- Original Message -----
From: "Darla Sharp" <darla at icess.ucsb.edu>
To: "Paul Racko" <pracko at earthlink.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Scpg] seed savers? traders? in Santa Barbara/goleta


> Hi Paul,
>
> Thank you for the information! What about the mulch content if I am
> planning on putting in plants? My bit by bit plan is to use cardboard
> (to smother weeds) and have mulch on top (just so it is not tooooo ugly
> and to weigh it down a little so it doesn't blow away) and within the
> year, to turn it over and have a ready to go bed. Are you suggesting I
> reuse the mulch in a different area - I have little idea of how mulch
> from a tree trimmer breaks down - it seems as though the bags of mulch
> I've been buying break down reallllly quickly!
>
> Thanks again!
> --Darla
>
> Paul Racko wrote:
> > Darla;
> >
> > Don't worry too much about the contents of the mulch. Call a local tree
> > trimmer with a chipper and tell them you'd be willing to take a load or
two
> > of wood chips off their hans for free. Tell them that you do not want
any
> > palm tree, yucca, cactus, or bermuda grass in the mix, and it must all
be
> > trash free. Since the mulch rests on top of the soil, you do not need to
> > worry if it is too acidic, etc. Long Beach Organic has been successfully
> > using such chips on our community gardens for years!
> >
> > Good luck,
> > Paul Racko, President
> > Long Beach Organic, Inc.
> > http://longbeachorganic.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>I had the following questions for list readers out there:
> >>
> >>1. Mulch: I have a couple of (hopeful) sources for getting some free
> >>mulch delivered, but I am stalling because I am worried I won't know
> >>what types of trees/brush to say yes to - for instance, are oaks too
> >>acidy? pepper trees too? walnut trees? eucalyptus? Is there a preferred
> >>type (redwood I'm sure, but I don't know that will be available to me)?
> >>Any information would be most helpful to me. Thank you!!
> >>
> >>2. Are there any groups locally that exchange seeds? I'm interested in
> >>vegetable/fruit seeds, but I am also interested in a few different
> >>exotics that do well here.
> >>
> >>3. Has anyone on the list built a smaller sized chicken tractor? Coop
> >>plans? Also, how long does chicken manure need to age before it can be
> >>used? Should it be the green layer of a compost pile? (I am very new to
> >>composting, but loving the turning the pile part so far!)
> >>
> >>Thank you in advance for any feedback and for taking time to read my
> >>email inquiry.
> >>
> >>Best,
> >>Darla Sharp
> >>
> >>--------------------------------
> >>Darla Sharp
> >>Systems Group
> >>ICESS, UCSB
> >>http://www.icess.ucsb.edu
> >>darla at icess.ucsb.edu
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>Scpg mailing list
> >>Scpg at arashi.com
> >>https://www.arashi.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/scpg
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> --------------------------------
> Darla Sharp
> Systems Group
> ICESS, UCSB
> http://www.icess.ucsb.edu
> request at icess.ucsb.edu wk
> darla at icess.ucsb.edu me
> 805.893.7348 wk
> 805.893.2578 fax
>