![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]()
Thanks for the tips, midwesternerr. I was able to get woodchips from the electric company, a few years ago, when they were trimming right out along our property line. I've not seen them since...but you did make me remember my mom and dad stopping any time they saw a crew working...they'd give them our address to dump them, and give them a tip when they delivered.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]() Quote:
I could be wrong, but it seemed to me that past years the leaves decomposed before I was ready to plant. It struck me, this year, that I still have a layer of leaves this late into the year. I vaguely remember crushing/crumbling the dried leaves in my hand in the past, that would've made them decay faster...but I guess I'm happy to have a mulch keeping most of the weeds down.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | |
WG Prize & Gift Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
|
![]() Quote:
I just cut and flip the sod all along the edge when I create new beds. The interior is left as is but topped off with cardboard and-or multiple layers of newspapers (Non glossy) I too lucked out getting free fill from the city. I loaded big Tupperware bins into my car, Backed it up to the free soil and literally filled the super big bins with soil. Drove home and backed it as close to the bed as I could and shovel full after shovel full tossed it back out of the bins. Saved a LOT of lifting and hauling smaller buckets upon small buckets that way. Dumping soil on top of cardboard works very well at smothering what grass you have underneath BUT and this is a big BUT take a look at what you are about to dump in....Move some of the soil around before you take home this FREE stuff because if it was just dug from an area containing grass etc....It just might have LOTS of active root shoots capable of REGROWING and you do not want that...As far as seed content Hmmmm That's a gamble I'm willing to take when somethings free. Now if it was composted first or many years in the sitting or whatever there'd be less chance of a ton of goodies-badies sprouting up once it's spread. There'll always be something in soil unless you get sterilized soil but what's the point of that as those goodies ARE needed to sustain life.... period! Hope that answered whatever you were wondering, If not, give me another try> I'm here for you.
__________________
The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 | |
WG Prize & Gift Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
|
![]() Quote:
__________________
The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 | |
WG Prize & Gift Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
|
![]() Quote:
Maybe even a few more if you have strong, strong grasses like crab.
__________________
The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#26 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]()
This summer, I'm thinking of using the invasive mugwort and Japanese knotweed themselves to cover the cardboard. If I get them cut back now, it will be before they go to seed, so no danger of introducing seeds to the area. I like the idea of using the non-native biomass to smother areas for my native plantings. Put them to good use.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 |
WG Prize & Gift Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
|
![]()
That should work out quite well. Excellent use of those uglies!!!!
__________________
The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
|
![]() Quote:
Unfortunately, I now have PLENTY of mugwort to work with...it took over the woodland to some extent...and the area above the woodland where I removed the overgrown forsythia hedge. I was just out there today sickling a path through it--I definitely will have plenty to work with for smothering (but I'll need to get a LOT more cardboard first).
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 |
WG Prize & Gift Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Michigan
|
![]()
What about talking to your grocer. They squash or burn boxes daily. Maybe they could save them for you.
__________________
The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 |
Heron
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Lower Pioneer Valley
|
![]()
McDonalds where I worked in the past had cardboard recycling and people would ask if they could take it. No tape on the boxes, so I'd imagine they'd work well.
Recently I got cardboard in bulk from a restaurant in a small plaza, they were setting out to recycle. Could check produce shops too.
__________________
Rebuilt Backyard - Photoblog of progress in my backyard. Flickr Photo Group - Share your photos with us on Flickr Ecogarden Design - Design your garden right in the browser |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Tags |
cardboard, eliminate, garden bed, grass, how to, instructions, lawn, newspaper, online, smother, smothering, sod |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|