Sunday, June 14, 2009

Mulching Strawberries

The mulching has begun!

I'm using several layers of newspaper or newsprint (saved from the packing material we used during our last house move). Overlap the newspapers about 6". Wet the paper as you lay it down so it doesn't blow away in the wind.

I'm adding the shredded cedar mulch as I go, to hold down the newspaper. I buy cedar mulch on sale at the end of the summer, to be used for the next summer. I like it because it smells good, stays in place, and keeps the plants clean. It also saves me countless hours of weeding and watering work.

Voila! Doesn't that look nice? This job took 3 hours to complete, and I didn't rush it. Two more sections to go, then I move on to the next job!

3 comments:

CarmiƱa said...

Hello,
Thanks for share, I like your idea

Wendy said...

thank you for sharing this, I've heard of using newsprint. Now do you have suggestions on keeping the deer and rabbits out?

Janet Rice-Bredin said...

You're welcome!

I've heard of the Irish Spring soap bits idea to repel deer, but I don't know if it works. I planted MANY strawberry plants in the hope that at least some of them will have fruit left after the rabbits eat them... not to mention our little neighborhood gang of David, Matthew, Hunter and Kaleigh who are wonderful kids but can't resist a garden!