Fwd: RE: Mulch vs reseed?
- Subject: Fwd: RE: Mulch vs reseed?
- From: s*
- Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001 13:29:58 -0700
>
>
>Nan,
>
>I garden/landscape professionally in the SBarb area. I ask myself that
>question all the time. Joe is technically and practically correct in urging
>a choice between mulched and wildflower cover. But we gardeners are
>dreamers and want everything!
>
>Susannah's recommendation about using compost is a good compromise. But I
>usually spread before flowering by broadcasting and letting the natural
>rains wash the material onto the soil surface. I have also applied coarse
>material in twisting bands through the stand, loosing some seedlings but
>when repeating every year eventually mulching much of the area.
>
>My other method, used in establishing stands or when renovating, involves
>"presprouted" barley (oat or wheat ok) straw. I pile the straw crudely and
>loosely in a shady area, water the pile well and often, even turning it
>until I see the missed grain heads sprouting. Then I scatter the pile a bit
>and let dry, killing most seedling grains. Later I use a loose scattering
>over the new or renovated ground and allow the wildflowers to grow up
>through the straw. In a season most of this straw is no longer very visible
>but has served the purposes of mulch and nurse.
>
>Marshall
What a great idea, presprouting the straw! I will try this.
-- S.
