Hello again!!
It's been an eventful season in the Orchard
Garden and we'll be posting a series of updates to show you how things have developed over the last few months!
Since our first work-party in May we've steadily prepared permanent garden beds for our annual and perennial
food gardens. Although difficult to establish initially, we've managed
to keep the 'weeds' at bay and our crops healthy despite the late start and major heat. What's our garden secret you might ask?
Cardboard & wood chips!!
By sheet mulching
with cardboard, and then mulching with wood chips, we are able to prevent weeds from emerging through the cardboard ('sheet') barrier for an entire growing
season. We use cardboard instead of
geo-textiles because it's biodegradable, easily accessible and costs
nothings. The wood chip covering will decompose over time and add nutrients
and organic matter to the soil food web, while also slowing the emergence of weeds in the long term. It's also nicer to look at than cardboard and holds it in place. Try straw (not hay!) instead of wood chips for a mulch with another colour, texture and nutrient composition.
Thanks again to the Orchard Garden community for helping us make this happen,
Catch you soon!
Shane
