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Rainboworganics
February 27, 2012
Yay ! ... in our garden we use the burlap bags to mulch the garlic upon fall planting ... this helps to keep the weeds down -as the garlic shoots emerge and come through the burlap .... and then by the time July comes ... it becomes organic matter .....
Amy P.
March 1, 2012
I can write an article on AWESOME uses for burlap anyday! It's the gift that keeps on giving, right?!
girlwiththegreenhair
February 26, 2012
For anyone researching local composts made from community waste, I would be very careful - sometimes these composts contain sewage sludge, which can be contaminated with heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, and chemicals.
thewanderingchef
February 26, 2012
A question that will reveal the depths of my novice-ness: when you make the forms for the bed (out of wood or whatever) are you laying them OVER the top layer you've created of burlap/newspaper/cardboard? And then putting the soil on top of that layer? Or do you remove that layer first (assuming it has not fully decomposed...)?
Amy P.
March 1, 2012
GREAT question!!! You can do it either way, really. Ideally, you would allow the burlap to decompose the organic material for a few weeks - 4 to 8 weeks depending on when you want to plant your first crop rotation. After that time, the materials should be decomposed at which point you can either a) remove the burlap and save it for another time (this is what I would do) OR b) you can dump soil over that burlap, as it will (eventually over several seasons, though not quickly) decompose.
As for 'filling' a raised bed, you can either pull soil from your rows or another spot in your yard OR order in topsoil/compost blend to fill the beds.
Any more q's? OR does this make sense yet? LET ME KNOW!
As for 'filling' a raised bed, you can either pull soil from your rows or another spot in your yard OR order in topsoil/compost blend to fill the beds.
Any more q's? OR does this make sense yet? LET ME KNOW!
Christine
February 26, 2012
Grape seed mulch, a byproduct of wine-making, is another great mulch option, especially if you live in a windy area. It is very effective and looks nice as a bonus.
Amy P.
March 1, 2012
HI Christine - are you talking about the grape pomace? I love this product for pathway materials!
Milk &.
February 26, 2012
Great idea on the coffee bean bags and cardboard boxes. I had no idea. Super great article!
M N.
February 23, 2012
Great articles. Are you planning to have an installment on container gardening? we have only a very small balcony and a small deck, no exposed ground, so all of our growing must be done in containers.
Amy P.
February 24, 2012
YES! Our next installment of City Dirt focuses on small container gardens and how best to get started. Stay tuned!
Amy P.
February 23, 2012
GREAT point! I should have noted that in the article - will go back and add it. THANK YOU.
jillyp
February 22, 2012
I've inherited an overgrown garden in need of serious attention and will definitely make use of your articles. One question: how much of your instructions and timeline are specifically designed for the Northwest? I'm in Chicago, and normally wouldn't begin cleanup until April.
Amy P.
February 23, 2012
Hi Jill, All of the advice is for any garden, anywhere. You'll need to adjust your timeline for when you can work the land, but it will be sooner than April. After your ground thaws, you should get going asap. You can plant onions as early as late March in Chicago, so you should plan to break ground early March, I'd say. Good luck!
hardlikearmour
February 21, 2012
A word of caution with the cocoa bean chaff - if you have dogs DO NOT USE IT!
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