Hi Ken;
My little town does no re-cycling of paper. Why? - long story so I won't
get into it. It offended me to be throwing all my newspapers and junk mail
into the garbage.

I got myself a paper shredder ( type used in an office - $69), made
myself a wooden stand that holds the shredder and lets the shredded paper
fall into large plastic bag.

We generate about 2 bags full each week. Shredding is no problem, when
we have finished a section, we shred it. It's just another task that fits
into our day, takes no time at all. We spread this around all our plants.

The shredded paper is a bit fluffy so after spreading we water it down.
A single watering compresses it down so that it won't blow around.

It looks a bit funny to see these white rings of shredded paper around
each plant but eventually it takes on the colour of "weathered" paper and
doesn't look so out of place. A couple times a year I spread "real" mulch
over all the garden so all the white rings get covered anyway.

I especially like it around our strawberry plants. I can tuck it in,
nice and deep, and it keeps the berries off the ground. It also keeps the
soil nice and cool - which the plants like.

So, in answer to your question - go for it!

Now, there's an Advisory on using paper in the garden. 20, 30, or 40
years ago (whatever), we were told not to use paper in the garden.
Especially, paper that was highly refined or that which had printing or
pictures. The contention was that highly refined paper had "chemicals" in it
and paper with printing (especially colour) or pictures contained "heavy
metal". These "chemicals" and "heavy metal", over time, would contaminate
the garden.

I don't believe it. Obviously, because I'm using paper in my garden. You
have to put things in context.

Firstly, I think paper making and printing has come a long way. I'd be
VERY surprised if that Advisory is "really" true in this day and age.

Secondly, I got gas-guzzling Toorak tanks (4X4) driving past my place,
pouring out more "chemicals" and "heavy metal", than will ever be found in
paper.

Thirdly, we're not talking about tonnes of paper. Maybe over 50 years or
so, it'll be tonnes but really.... and in those tonnes, there is traces of
"chemicals" and "heavy metal". Like I said before, I don't believe it.

Norm


"Ken Oaf" wrote in message
...
I'm wondering if anyone has used shredded paper as mulch?

Heaps of it is chucked out at workplaces all over the country and it would
be
good for the environment if I could put it to good use.

One downside I can think of it is that if it is too thick, it could
actually
prevent water getting to the plants.

Thoughts anyone?