Show Notes
Photo by Shacker, shared via Flickr
Mulches provide instant protection for bare soils. You can apply them in the fall, if you waited too long to plant your cover crop. This gets you quick protection from winter rains. In the summer, mulches protect soil life from the hot summer sun, and help retain valuable moisture. But it's important to pick the right mulch for the right kind of garden. We sit down with a Master Composter to discuss the different kinds of mulch available for purchase - or free in your own backyard.
More from Composting in the Pacific Northwest
In the late 70s the Tilth Garden property was managed by the Seattle Parks Department. With the input of neighbors, Parks set aside ½ acre space for a community garden. Before the p-patch, before the beautiful and rich demonstration garden and greenhouse, there was asphalt and concrete. Tennis courts and basketball courts at the Good Shepherd Center had to be removed and hauled away. In 1980 Parks brought in heavy machinery to remove the pavement (in winter – think compaction!). It seemed impossible to grow anything other than weeds that first year.
You've amended your soil with compost. But all your soil's hard-won nutrition will wash out to sea unless you protect it from the winter rains.
Worm bins give you another way to manage food waste in the city. In this episode, we compare worm bins to their close relative, the green cone.