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Grass cuttings as mulch for potatoes
Charlie 224
Posts: 129
in Plants
Can I do this? Is it effective? I don't know if grass cuttings are so good?
0
Posts
They will work but can encourage slugs.
Is this for mulching up the potato plant or to mulch around the soil near the plant? I assume you mean for mulching up, and they might work.. but I'd worry about putting them on too thick and they begin to compost (and heat up, turn to mush, and obstruct water to the roots of the potatoes). Can you mix it 50/50 with compost? Or straw? I think that would be much better.
If it's just for general mulching around to retain water and prevent weeds.. grass clippings work great. That is my main form of mulch in my veg garden.. that and leaves from last fall. I put the grass clippings on fresh, about four inches thick.. not touching the plants, but about an inch away from anything (just as you would with any mulch).
Oh really, thanks, is this the same for all mulches?
Yes, I was going to earth them up with normal soil but mulch to retain water and keep the tubers a bit cooler
You're fine then, mulch with fresh grass to keep in the moisture. Make sure you give everything a good soak before putting it on. If you put it on fresh, it makes like a little water permeable shell.. and is less likely to get blown about in the wind once it dries into a mat.
In the fall I cover my beds with grass clippings mixed with mowed leaves.. just cover the entire bed right over top that years grass mulch. You can either dig it in in the spring, or just push it off a little to the side and plant into the soil below.
Ok, I will do. Thanks blue onion!