Mulch ........ Alts To Coconut Husk Chips

[GungaDin]

What do you farm guys use if you have to buy mulch?

I'd like to get hold of a load of Euc chips, but cannot source any locally.

Coconut Husk Chips, great on the garden but not on tiles, the stain is virtually impossible to remove.

All of my plants are in large & small containers & I'm stuck for space, so, I want to use my large tiled balcony.

Any ideas?

thanks

gd

[Harcourt]

What do you farm guys use if you have to buy mulch?

I'd like to get hold of a load of Euc chips, but cannot source any locally.

Coconut Husk Chips, great on the garden but not on tiles, the stain is virtually impossible to remove.

All of my plants are in large & small containers & I'm stuck for space, so, I want to use my large tiled balcony.

Any ideas?

thanks

gd

Forgive my ignorance, but it seems to me that coconut husk would be very slow to decompose. What about rice straw?

[Harcourt]

You say you don't have alot of space, so I assume you don't need truckloads....depending on where you are, what about dried river-weed, or washed, dried seaweed?

[GungaDin]

Hi Harcourt.

The husks pad out the container and are put in first to create good drainage and soak up some water.

Soil is then added with the plant and then covered in husks to keep moisture in and prevent weeds growing.

It is in no way a food for the plant as compost is. The husks can last up to 6-7 years.

Washed seaweed would certainly be good plant food...... do you have some?

I'm using Aussie Seasol until it runs out.

cheers

gd

[Harcourt]

Ahhh, sorry, my misunderstanding of your use of "mulch".

No, sorry, I don't have any weed.

Try soaking your husks for a few days, see if the dye leeches out.

[hmj]

What about elephant dung? I have no experience yet but I intend to use it for growing orchids. Before use let the dung age and maybe leach it (but do not leech it!). If available it is plentiful.