My top 5 MULCH Sources | CHEAP and EASY

[@villagesteader3552]

I put all my leaves in a fenced area where the chickens have their outdoor run...this will be my future garden. The soil was rock hard but 3 weeks later it looks like the surface of the moon. They’re good at tilling. We will be adding wood chips as soon as the tree guy comes to work on our trees!! ♥️👍🤓🇺🇸🙏🐔

[@gardenguychannel]

Great! Good to hear Debra!

[@kjoo25]

Good info thanks

[@EdwinPSaldanha]

Yes good info. Tx.

[@henklenting2821]

I heard sea weed works well as well, I might try some myself since I live close to the sea

[@hummingbirdhollowfarm]

I used pine straw in my vegitible garden this year and everything grew beautifully 😊 wondering if its to much to do it again next year? I've heard mixed thoughts about it making your soil to acidic if you use it to much.

[@gardenguychannel]

Hey Christina, you could usr it again but just make sure that you are keeping the ph levels up around where they need to be for a vegetable crop production. I would add some lime to the pine straw to balance out the ph. Also a little organic nitrogen source. :)

[@teresaoftheandes6279]

I was able to get the electric company to drop a load of wood chips in my yard. I am using leaves also.

[@pradyumnanayak9844]

👍

[@echo1020lukka]

Slugs are always an issue in my raised beds, and I don't use straw. What are the best ideas to rid the garden of them? I've tried many methods. Zone 5.

[@green_stiller]

If you have the space, ducks are supposed to be excellent slug hunters!

[@gardenguychannel]

Hey Echo, here is a helpful list to get rid of slugs. 1. Less boards or rocks to hide under. 2. Allow for natural predators. 3. Plant a decoy crop. (Something they will eat that you dont actually harvest) 4. Focus on soil health and it will help to lessen the amount of pest over time. They attack the weakest plants so strong plants will not be what they go for.

[@winnie363]

What would you use to offset the lost nitrogen in the soil with wood chips.

[@gardenguychannel]

Hye Illini, I would either add blood meal or let them decompose naturally over time.

[@lindakurtz2653]

What is your take on the idea that wood chips as a mulch left on top of the dirt don't tie up the nitrogen in the soil? Of course, that would mean using them in places you want to leave alone for a while so it can decompose and then be incorporated into the soil no longer tying up the nitrogen.

[@gardenguychannel]

Hey Linda, you would be correct that having a layer of chips on the surface does not steal the nitrogen very quickly. At least not as quick as if you were to till it in. However, There will almost always be an initial C to N ratio imbalance the first month or so. This is where allowing for time to decompose naturally as you said or adding more nitrogen comes into play. I have opted to make the garden in the fall so that it can be decomposing all winter.

[@sarahmcalpine2058]

What do you recommend to mix with straw to keep down the slugs? Am I even asking a good question?...lol

[@sarahmcalpine2058]

Btw...located some mushroom compost on your recommendation. It seemed to really do a lot to our tiny garden.

[@cpk4772]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@teresaoftheandes6279]

I did use straw but now I am thinking that conventional straw is sprayed so I really don't want that in my garden.

[@Chris-bx4vk]

Not a fan of the music over the dialogue.. but I am a fan of the vids!

[@jonhawkins2374]

I hate scotts mulch it's mostly dyed chopped wood chunks. I like making my own in the fall with my leaf mulcher.

[@chadcovington2551]

You talk to much