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Monday Mulches - AN EYE INTO THE WORLD OF COMPOSTING AND MULCHING
Monday Mulches - AN EYE INTO THE WORLD OF COMPOSTING AND MULCHING
LEAF MULCH
LEAF MULCH
If you have access to an excess of autumn leaves then why not make leaf mulch. It is very simple and speeds up the decomposition process to make great mulch food for other plants and trees.
If you have access to an excess of autumn leaves then why not make leaf mulch. It is very simple and speeds up the decomposition process to make great mulch food for other plants and trees.
WHAT YOU NEED
WHAT YOU NEED
Bin Bags
Bin Bags
Leaves! (not walnut)
Leaves! (not walnut)
A stick for piercing holes
A stick for piercing holes
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
Have fun with family or friends collecting lots of leaves and filling up bin bags with them, squashing them down to fit in even more. Tie the bag in a knot and pierce about 20 small air holes all over the bag. Place the bag in a hidden place and leave it there for 2 years!
Maybe colour code each years mulch with a piece of fabric so you know when to open it and spread it out around fruit tree bases or other plants or vegetables.
Have fun with family or friends collecting lots of leaves and filling up bin bags with them, squashing them down to fit in even more. Tie the bag in a knot and pierce about 20 small air holes all over the bag. Place the bag in a hidden place and leave it there for 2 years!
Maybe colour code each years mulch with a piece of fabric so you know when to open it and spread it out around fruit tree bases or other plants or vegetables.
WORMERY COMPOSTING
WORMERY COMPOSTING
A wormery is a compost heap with lots of special compost worms living in it and they speed up the process of decomposition. Most wormeries come with a series of trays with the most decomposed waste in the bottom tray and the least in the top. You can pour water through the chambers and a tap releases it at the bottom. This is concentrated liquid fertiliser and can be diluted and fed to plants. All plant based food waste can go in the wormery but the worms don’t like citrus fruit. It is best to cut up any skins like banana peels and cabbage bases or outer leaves quite well before putting them in as these will be easier for the worms to digest. You also need to aerate the food waste with either shredded paper, dried grass cuttings or homemade wood chips. They also like old used compost and some soil to go in as this is full of good bacteria that aids the decomposition process too.
A wormery is a compost heap with lots of special compost worms living in it and they speed up the process of decomposition. Most wormeries come with a series of trays with the most decomposed waste in the bottom tray and the least in the top. You can pour water through the chambers and a tap releases it at the bottom. This is concentrated liquid fertiliser and can be diluted and fed to plants. All plant based food waste can go in the wormery but the worms don’t like citrus fruit. It is best to cut up any skins like banana peels and cabbage bases or outer leaves quite well before putting them in as these will be easier for the worms to digest. You also need to aerate the food waste with either shredded paper, dried grass cuttings or homemade wood chips. They also like old used compost and some soil to go in as this is full of good bacteria that aids the decomposition process too.
Here are some photos of my wormery: My wormery has 6 layers and lives at the end of my garden in a shady spot.
Here are some photos of my wormery: My wormery has 6 layers and lives at the end of my garden in a shady spot.
TOPICAL TIP: You can make a very similar arrangement with a stack of old car tyres. You won't get the same arrangement for collecting the liquid fertiliser but its a low cost option if you can get some tyres from a local garage.
TOPICAL TIP: You can make a very similar arrangement with a stack of old car tyres. You won't get the same arrangement for collecting the liquid fertiliser but its a low cost option if you can get some tyres from a local garage.
This is a photo of the top tray in my wormery. I also put in brown paper bags that work best ripped up.
I add shredded paper to aerate the heavier food matter. Dried grass cuttings or dried wood chip also works. (I have a small wood chipper)
Here is the third tray full of worms and compost.
Here is the 4th tray with compost but fewer worms who have moved upwards.
When you empty the lower layers do look out for the worm nursery which includes egg sacs. If there are worms in there you empty the compost out onto a waterproof sheet and put a cover over one part and the worms will migrate to the dark area. It can take a bit of time but is quite satisfying.
Lastly a photo of the liquid fertiliser that feeds my plants: I will dilute this and feed the plants in my garden that look like they need a boost.
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