![]() ![]() Rakes vary a lot when it comes to size and construction, but for most basic yard-raking jobs, a medium-weight 2- to 3-pound rake with a 24- to 30-inch metal or plastic head should do the trick. The best rakes for leaves are a comfortable size and weight for your needs, and are durable enough to last. ![]() Just be sure to check that your plants can tolerate coming into contact with a mulch that lowers the pH of the soil, as pine needles do.Raking leaves might feel like a chore, but the right tool can make it a much easier task. ![]() “I had some leftover sand from a project and used it as a mulch layer around some of my hardy native cacti,” he says.Īnd those prickly pine needles are yet another free mulch source you can get out of your yard. Scott also says stone or sand can be used in some scenarios. ![]() Shredded cork allows water to permeate the soil, plus it’s aesthetically pleasing and unique. “I saw one gardener use shredded old wine corks as a mulch layer on the surface of the soil of his potted plants,” Scott says. When you open a bottle of wine, don’t throw that cork away. And you’ll be recycling materials from your home in the process. “Comprised of your grass clippings, leaf debris, and food waste, compost is a readily available source of nutrition for your plants,” Henriksen says. Speaking of compost, you can also use a layer of compost as a natural mulch. “Professionals recommend shredding leaves with a lawn mower and mulching with a heavy layer of leaves around plants for added protection, nutrients, and moisture,” she says. Henriksen recommends using the leaves for mulch instead of bagging them. LeavesĪs summer fades into fall, you’ll see more leaves in your yard. And don’t use clippings of grass that has been treated with herbicide. Susan Brandt of Blooming Secrets, an e-commerce gardening website, advises against applying the grass mulch too thick because it can result in sogginess. “Fresh grass contains high levels of nitrogen that may have a negative effect and burn your plants,” she warns. “The key with grass is to set it aside for a few months before using it on your garden,” says Henriksen. Claim homeĪnother source of free mulch is also right in your yard: grass clippings. Grass clippingsĬlaim your home to stay up-to-date of your home‘s value and equity. “There is a fee associated with dumping, as well as fuel cost, drive time, and employee time,” he says. The reason for their generosity? Scott says many companies, especially those in urban areas, have to pay to dump their chips at the end of the day. “Many services are willing to offload their chips for free, and they may even be willing to deliver it right to your driveway.” “Tree services are a great resource for fresh mulch, as they generate and need to dispose of wood chips on a daily basis,” Henriksen says. So naturally they’re bound to have some extra shredded wood on their hands. Tree care companies remove trees that have fallen, grown too large, or need to be removed to clear land. But be aware that the mulch from these places might not be 100% pure.Īccording to Dan Scott, associate director of horticulture and River Farm at the American Horticultural Society, in Alexandria, VA, the source material is not screened, so there may also be some plastic and other stuff in there. Mulch may be doled out at recycling and disposal centers. Check with your city to see if this is an option where you live. City or county disposal siteĪccording to Henriksen, many cities or local townships that collect leaves and tree limbs in the fall will offer free mulch to residents. So gear up and go forth to these places where gardeners can get free mulch. Voss also recommends bringing a shovel and a tarp, and transporting your mulch via truck so you don’t get the interior of your vehicle dirty. “Many free mulch places are self-serve, so you’re going to want to bring some supplies or an extra pair of hands,” says S teven Voss, owner of Voss Land & Tree, in Columbia, MO. But before we reveal these secret locations, there are a few pointers you should know. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |