Shredded Paper.

[di]

Ooops...perhaps it would have been better to wait for a less windy day.

I put my peas in the bed in the end, they were desperate for a home and it seemed perfect.

On the subject of mulching. When I planted some of my potatoes a couple of weeks ago, I put an inch thick layer of grass cuttings in between the rows.....only two thistles have shown their heads through it and had obviously gotten really confused as they'd grown sideways with really weak roots....I'm getting a little into this mulching thing

[Two_Sheds]

I put an inch thick layer of grass cuttings in between the rows.....only two thistles have shown their heads through... they'd grown sideways with really weak roots...

See, it works

I think a lot of people are put off mulching because they think it looks untidy. Maybe their perspective needs to change. To me, bare soil might look nice but I know that it isn't 'natural' or easy to maintain

[TallGirl]

I have been adding torn/crumpled newspaper to my bin for a number of years but now I fret over the inks used. Are they really safe.

Not scientific, but when I was still using one of those 'paper potter' things to make tomato-seedling pots out of newspaper, I got the strong feeling that the plants in pots which were mostly made out of photograph didn't do so well.

One of these years I may do some kind of semi-scientific testing. For now I've switched to DH's yoghurt pots instead, and I'm only putting plain paper in the compost (or organic flour bags, surely they'll be printed with something right-on?).

[di]

I've got to admit the newspaper and card look a little untidy but I love the look of leaves, grass and straw as mulch.
Not sure how much I'll get but the vicar has also sorted a source of spent hops for me