Re: Using Newspaper keeps ground damp??
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Using Newspaper keeps ground damp??
- From: M* T*
- Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 06:31:52 -0500
In my experience, nothing stays wet like wet newspaper not exposed to
air (it has to be covered with something else). But, the newspaper
has to be thoroughly wetted, if it's not, it can take a long time to
degrade - during which time the wind will likely catch it and blow it
all over the place, even if it is covered as it curls up when it
dries. If good and wet, it will keep the soil under it moist. A
thick wad (like over an inch thick) of wet newspaper buried in soil
will take a long time to degrade. But, 5 or 6 sheets used under
another organic mulch or as a basis for a raised bed, if wet, will
degrade pretty fast.
One thing I've noticed about any kind of organic mulch used on ground
under mature trees....the tree roots will dry out the ground during
hot summers with no rain. Don't care what depth the mulch is; have
noticed this when shifting more than a foot of rotting woodchips
after a couple of months of no rain.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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----------
> From: Cajun Joe <cajun4@HOME.COM>
> Date: Sunday, January 16, 2000 1:03 PM
>
> Hello - Does enough water go through the newspaper to keep the
ground damp
> underneath? It takes many years for a thick stack of newspaper to
degrade in
> a dump. I saw this on TV.
> Cheers = Cajun Joe
