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Posted: Jan/09/2009 9:54 AM PST
I was wondering if I could take shredded paper and use it as mulch in a flower bed. I have been shredding up some old bank statements etc and was looking for a use for the shredded material. Any ideas? Pete |
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Posted: Jan/10/2009 3:33 AM PST
Hmmm. I don't know about that for sure with what's in the paper and the inks. If I did it at all, I would probably mix it in a compost heap, but you need to hear from an expert on this, not me. |
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Posted: Jan/10/2009 6:42 AM PST
I had this same idea last year and mulched my strawberries with shredded paper. After a couple of rainstorms the paper stuck together and would not let much water drain through it. When I lifted the paper there was a white mold-like substance on the soil. Needless to say I'm putting my paper in the compost now and it seems to be decomposing fine.  If worried about the ink some paper will say right on it that it is made of soy ink. |
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Posted: Jan/10/2009 10:13 AM PST
I need to start a compose pile. I don't have one. |
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Posted: Jan/15/2009 3:14 PM PST
Most compost piles don't take up much room and you get such a good return for your efforts 
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Posted: Feb/23/2009 6:35 AM PST
Termites ! here in the south if you put too much woody stuff or paper down your going to get termites , one year my cabbage sets starting to just fall over and I pulled a couple up and termites had went up and started to eat the stem from the inside (mad mad mad). your area may be too cold for subterranean termites but in the south theirs no shortage of them. so compost or keep the thick stuff away from your plants, It's a good Idea to hand pull back your mulch in different areas of your garden to look and see whats going on under there sometimes. Later Guilt Trip |
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Posted: Feb/23/2009 1:26 PM PST
That's a great thought, GT. I hadn't thought of paper being wood! Unless you are diligent with turning the compost pile, I'll bet the termites would get in there. We are inundated with them in the woods. Thank goodness we have a wonderful termite man that keeps a check on our house. In the spring or is it early summer, we see them coming out of the woods by the millions! |
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Posted: Jun/30/2009 8:01 PM PST
Shredded newspaper is better. Supposedly it may even be good for the garden. It also lets water through better then regular bank statement shreds. |
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