Forum home Talkback
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

shredder bits

B3B3 Posts: 27,477
Can I mix stuff that's been through the shredder straight into my soil?
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • DaintinessDaintiness Posts: 988

    I usually put some of my shredded stuff on top of the soil to act as a mulch...there it can do several jobs at once - suppress weeds, stop moisture evaporating and rot down into the soil.

    You could mix it into the soil in small quantities but it will have to rot down before it is any good to the plants.

    Better to put it into the compost bin imo

  • Do you mean a garden shredder or a paper shredder?  

    If the former you could put it on your compost heap and then use it once it's composted down.

    If the latter, then I wouldn't personally advise putting waste paper outside in your garden.    That's not good for insects and wildlife and there's no nutrients in it to do your soil any good and you run the risk of it blowing away and just being litter.

  • DaintinessDaintiness Posts: 988

    image I never thought of the other kind of shredder!!

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,697

    If the stuff you have shredded is woody, then leave it somewhere quiet to compose its thoughts for a few months and then use it as a mulch on the garden. It will gradually rot down and improve the soil. Don't use it straight from the shredder.

    You can stick any shredded stuff on the compost heap as well, and that includes paper. It rots down beautifully and is a great soil improver.

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,477
    It's a garden shredder. Have a sackful of chips. Have been digging over reasonably fertile, heavy clay and thought I might use it to break it up a bit.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.