Re: Shredded (Paper)
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Shredded (Paper)
- From: E* D* <d*@eclectic-eng.com>
- Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 18:43:19 -0500
- References: <83970a01.34ef5252@aol.com>
Last year I used shreaded newspaper and laser printer paper as a mulch on
my corn and tomatoes. I put down a 3 inch thick (fluffy) layer, shreaded
with my chipper/chopper. I expect a problem with the paper blowing away.
I watered it with the garden hose and did not have any blowing problem,
even after it dried.
As a test I left a section at the end without the paper. All of the corn
had drip irrigation, and was fertilized with manure, lime, and granular
fertilizer in the spring and Miricle Grow through the growing season.
The result was the corn with the mulch grew between one and two feet taller
than the unmulched corn.
I will use paper again this year on my entire garden. I have been saving
newspaper all winter.
I did (and will) not use glossy paper. Some reports say that the ink used
for glossy color printing has heavy metals. Colored newprint (e.g. The
sunday comics) is ok.
Ed
At 04:22 AM 2/21/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>
>Are any of you with paper shredders using the product in your compost pile or
>garden?? I know the break down of paper uses up nitrogen but this can be
>overcome by adding some nitrogen to the mix. The paper would supply organic
>material much like sawdust. Anyone??
>
>Marv in Altoona PA
>
>
>The only thing I would worry about is if the dye on the paper is
>organic. Some of the drying agents are complex and nasty chemicals.
>********************************************************
>jon and carrie jaussi http://cc.usu.edu/~sln8m/momo.html
>********************************************************
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Edward Dekker
Eclectic Engineering, Inc
603 878-6125
603 878-4897 FAX
dekker@eclectic-eng.com
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