Make Homemade Mulch
Mulching is a great way to control weeds on the vegetable plot. It's also very effective at keeping moisture in the soil - essential for fruit bushes in the middle of summer. It can keep your soil warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It will need to be replaced as it breaks down. When it does breakdown it will add nutrients to the soil - it's a win-win situation!
Grass Clippings
If like me you have far too much grass and as a result far too many clippings then read on! You can recycle your clippings and put them to good use. Add in 3 inch layers to your beds. Grass breaks down pretty quickly so you will need to be on the ball and keep topping up. A 3 inch layer can quickly become a 1 inch layer.
Using grass does have it's down sides. As long as you are careful you will be OK. If you put too thick a layer on it can clump and decompose pretty fast. This creates a lot of heat which can be damaging to your plant - you don't want to cook your veg whilst it's still in the ground! You can use this to your advantage though. I've a few wild patches on my land that Docks seem to love. Piling on grass in thick layers and getting some heat on them definitely kills the top growth if not the roots.
I'd advise that you experiment with amounts until you are happy you have found a happy medium. I turn the clipping with a fork to keep the heat down. I also sometimes add shredded paper to the clippings. Doesn't look the most attractive though!
Using Wood Chips as Mulch
Probably the most effective and longest lasting mulch you can use. Aesthetically, it looks good too. You can source this the self-sufficient way by contacting your local Arborist (Tree Surgeon). They often have loads of wood chips that they need to dispose of. You can always chip your own if you have enough woodland or more practically you can always buy some at the local DIY shop.
If you want that extra level of protection add a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard before you add your mulch. This creates a tough yet biodegradable barrier that weeds just hate.
Leaves as Mulch
Another homemade method is to use your leaves as a mulch. If you have access to lots of leaves every autumn then here's what to do with them. Like before add a 3 inch layer to your beds. Using the newspaper and cardboard trick for good measure. Leaves take about a year to break down. You may need to to top up from time to time.
Be careful when using leaves. When they break down they add acid to the soil. This is obviously a good thing for acid loving fruit bushes such as Blueberries, Gooseberries or Redcurrants. So maybe it's best to pick your spot with leaf mulch especially if like me you have a slightly acidic soil to begin with.
Carpet as Weed Suppressant
OK so maybe not homemade but from it is from the home! You can recycle an old piece of carpet and use as a weed suppressant. It has none of the nutrient giving qualities of a mulch but it is very effective. I personally would not use this method unless I was certain the carpet was made of natural fibres and was chemical free.
Black Plastic as a Weed Suppressant
Not homemade or from the home but a method to consider if you really want to kill of some persistent weeds. Using plastic to kill of the weeds and their roots system is a very effective. Leave on for a year and you should be able to eradicate perennial weeds such as Bindweed or Couch grass from that area. In the summer the soil will be dried and the roots too.
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