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Minnesota([email protected])

I've noticed that where I've had piles of weeds in the patch, left after weeding, that roots tend to come to the surface under these piles. I'm wondering why? Do any of you mulchers notice this? I'm guessing it's because the moisture stays at the surface in these spots. It appeared that some roots were actually coming out of the soil a little.

Doug

8/29/2005 7:11:26 PM

Buffalo, MN ([email protected])

Doug, roots will travel where ever they find moisture. Under weeds, a board, for a that matter enything left in the patch. You usally notice this when you move the object you left in the patch. When removing hoop house in many cases the roots are exposed where the plastic was anchored down. When I see bare roots I just cover them back up.

Bill

8/30/2005 12:31:12 AM

Montoursville, PA

Any place plant material touches the ground a mulch condition immediately begins. This includes moisture conservation and first phases, of rot, which provides nutrients.

Even the board assuming it is not pressure treated will provide the same benefits.

8/30/2005 12:11:43 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks guys.
I'm seriously thinking of mulching my plants next year. The soil here is on the light side, and drains very well.
It would provide moisture conservation and would be better for the soil biology, than bare soil. Also, it would keep down weeds.
Any drawbacks you can see?

8/30/2005 12:48:47 PM

Riverton, WY

The only problem I've had with mulching is if I mulched too early in the season before the soil warms up. The mulch tends to slow down the warming up process.

9/2/2005 10:44:36 PM

Montoursville, PA

A thin mulch is good in the early Spring. Add to it as the secondaries expand into the patch.

9/3/2005 9:17:53 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Doc, thin layer over whole patch? Adding as secondaries develope: Cover secondary vines after burying? or Just up to vines? Will secondary roots penetrate the mulch layer? Thanks for all the help. I am once again over run with weeds this year. Before spring of '04 my patch was a weed field. Any suggestions to combat weeds. Peace Wayne

9/4/2005 6:36:05 AM

Montoursville, PA

Wayne.......for the short time period between set out, of plant into the patch and the time secondaries begin to form I have open soil. I keep the weeds down the old fashioned way with a scuffel hoe going only an inch or less deep.

As the secondaries develop is when I had my soiled hay about two to three inches deep over the total area including covering the vines. I remove every other secondary so there is a wide assessable path up until the leaf canopy closes it off. During the still open canopy lanes is when I add some more. The vine bury duty is done each day as the vine develops or every other day at the least. Growth from the secondaries is removed as close to the vine as I can make the cut. Sharp knife cutting insures less repeated growth than pinching them off although you will still get some no matter how you control growth from the secondary vines.

Some weeds will still sneak through. Red root is our most difficult weed. They would punch through a concrete mulch, in my opinion. They will be easier to pull or cut because they will still be somewhat tender when you first see them.

Weed seed will diminish over years, of working your soil, because new seed heads will have been taken out, of the picture. Some seed comes with the hay but they do not seem to germ possibly because the top half inch stays relatively dry. Using ground up leaves is as good and some feel that less seed comes with them. This may be true depending on how they were picked up and ground. Whole leaves are not as good because they mat up and do not permit good or easy rain movement, to the patch under them.

Don't throw away the hoe. Mulching is a great over all position, for nutrient addition, as well as keeping down many weeds...not all. More even moisture and less surface water evaporation is an added plus.

9/4/2005 10:52:09 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Doc, can you explain the term "soiled hay"? Thanks for all the info. Peace Wayne

9/4/2005 9:27:25 PM