Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Unless I have misunderstand about mulching does a mulch need to be removed
or dug into the soil before winter after it has been applied in the spring? Mary |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Mary wrote:
Unless I have misunderstand about mulching does a mulch need to be removed or dug into the soil before winter after it has been applied in the spring? Mary I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
The message
from Ian Keeling contains these words: Mary wrote: Unless I have misunderstand about mulching does a mulch need to be removed or dug into the soil before winter after it has been applied in the spring? I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! Only if there *IS* better advice. -- Rusty horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Ian Keeling wrote: I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! Why the worry? Be confident!! Your explanation above is excellent. 10/10 ;o) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
"La puce" wrote in message oups.com... Ian Keeling wrote: I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! Why the worry? Be confident!! Your explanation above is excellent. 10/10 ;o) Perhaps you are 'something of a novice' but in a number of your posts you have spoken more like a pro than a novice......from an oldie that has been around the gardening scene for many a decade |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
La puce wrote:
Ian Keeling wrote: I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! Why the worry? Be confident!! Your explanation above is excellent. 10/10 ;o) I'm not worried - only pointing out my credentials, so the OP isn't under any illusion that I'm some authority on the matter. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Ian Keeling wrote: I'm not worried - only pointing out my credentials, so the OP isn't under any illusion that I'm some authority on the matter. The matter of 'mulching'?! g But seriously, I'm 4 months away to passing my RHS. Any advice? And why do you concider yourself a 'novice' after passing such a demanding examination? I understand that academic credentials are nothing compared to experience. But surely you're not 8 years old nor you'd just pass an exam with no practical experience. Or would you?! |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
La puce wrote:
Ian Keeling wrote: I'm not worried - only pointing out my credentials, so the OP isn't under any illusion that I'm some authority on the matter. The matter of 'mulching'?! g But seriously, I'm 4 months away to passing my RHS. Any advice? And why do you concider yourself a 'novice' after passing such a demanding examination? I understand that academic credentials are nothing compared to experience. But surely you're not 8 years old nor you'd just pass an exam with no practical experience. Or would you?! Well, yes, even with distinction in that exam I still consider myself something of a novice - it's only the first step. (Best tip: Get hold of as many past papers as you can) What the course of study really did for me was to open up whole new areas of ignorance! After studying for the exam I began to get an inkling of how much there is to know about plants and their culture. No, I'm not 8 years old (40 something). I don't have vast practical experience, but I have had a "growing" interest in plants and gardening over the last 10 years - it's beginning to get a bit serious. I am certainly a novice compared to many of the regular posters in this group. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
The message
from Ian Keeling contains these words: La puce wrote: Ian Keeling wrote: I think a mulch, by definition, is something that is applied to the surface and not dug in. There are materials used as mulches (surface applied) which can also be useful as soil conditioners (incorporated in the soil by digging or other means) - such as composted bark, farmyard manure... Normally mulches like these will be incorporated in the soil by the natural activity of, e.g., worms so there's no need to dig them in - simply top up the mulch (normally in the spring, to slow loss of water from the soil by evaporation). I speak/write as something of a novice (only RHS Gen'l Cert) so you'll probably get much better advice before too long! Why the worry? Be confident!! Your explanation above is excellent. 10/10 ;o) I'm not worried - only pointing out my credentials, so the OP isn't under any illusion that I'm some authority on the matter. Three experts - four opinions. -- Rusty horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
"Mary" wrote in message ... Unless I have misunderstand about mulching does a mulch need to be removed or dug into the soil before winter after it has been applied in the spring? Mary Mine gets renewed every autumn and sometimes extra in the spring but never dug in.....H |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
The message
from "Mary" contains these words: Unless I have misunderstand about mulching does a mulch need to be removed or dug into the soil before winter after it has been applied in the spring? No. Eventually it will decompose/be taken down by worms. With some mulch materials that happens in just a few months; (grass clippings, compost, bracken, seaweed). Ground up bark or cocoa shell takes longer. As the worms take down the material into the soil they create a good soil structure which doesn't need to be dug. When the mulch layer almost disappears, just mulch again on top of it (time of year doesn't matter much). If practicable, it's a good idea to vary the mulch material , with each layer. Janet |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Janet Baraclough wrote:
[...] almost disappears, just mulch again on top of it (time of year doesn't matter much). [...] Right; but preferably not if the ground is actually frozen. -- Mike. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Mike Lyle wrote: Right; but preferably not if the ground is actually frozen. I got a 5 instead of a 10 for a series of questions my tutor gave us. On all of them I had forgotten to mention the obvious, the common sense, the logical like:- water after planting. Ho! I mentioned the entire maintenance, the deadheading, feeding, watering, mulching, deviding, looking for sign of p&d and had time to even mention all the possible uses of each plants, decoration, medicinal, culinary purposes. But no. 5 points for forgetting watering after planting. As if I wouldn't!!!! And I think that's a problem because you think 'they know that', you think 'it's bleeding obvious'. Actually, you just don't think that anymore. It's ... automatic. Fed up. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
La puce wrote:
Mike Lyle wrote: Right; but preferably not if the ground is actually frozen. I got a 5 instead of a 10 for a series of questions my tutor gave us. On all of them I had forgotten to mention the obvious, the common sense, the logical like:- water after planting. Ho! I mentioned the entire maintenance, the deadheading, feeding, watering, mulching, deviding, looking for sign of p&d and had time to even mention all the possible uses of each plants, decoration, medicinal, culinary purposes. But no. 5 points for forgetting watering after planting. As if I wouldn't!!!! And I think that's a problem because you think 'they know that', you think 'it's bleeding obvious'. Actually, you just don't think that anymore. It's ... automatic. Fed up. An exam isn't life: it's there to check what you know. So you tell them what you know. As a former teacher, I say assume the examiner knows nothing, and concentrate. Why is it "obvious" that you water after planting? If you don't mention it, it will seem you don't know _why_ it's necessary. Anyhow, if you forget to mention it in description, how does the examiner know you won't forget to do it when actually planting? He may even get the impression that you aren't a systematic thinker. Exam technique: it isn't life, but it's not as irrelevant as some people make out. -- Mike. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
mulching
Mike Lyle wrote: An exam isn't life: it's there to check what you know. So you tell them what you know. As a former teacher, I say assume the examiner knows nothing, and concentrate. Why is it "obvious" that you water after planting? If you don't mention it, it will seem you don't know _why_ it's necessary. Anyhow, if you forget to mention it in description, how does the examiner know you won't forget to do it when actually planting? He may even get the impression that you aren't a systematic thinker. Exam technique: it isn't life, but it's not as irrelevant as some people make out. deep sigh You are right of course. My mind wonders ... I'm quite known for being a bit dizzy. I have to concentrate. Concentrate ... Thanks Mike. I feel better now too. |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Mulching in North Carolina | Gardening | |||
The importance of Mulching | Gardening | |||
gum leaves mulching and fast break down | Australia | |||
tree...mulching | Texas | |||
Need desperate help - need to find Seed Aide mulching granules ASAP!!! | Gardening |