A MOTHER reader shares her technique for using lawn clippings to mulch potatoes.
We have a big lawn, and eliminating the grass clippings had always been a problem. We used to let the garbage service haul away our bags full of clippings — then we decided to use them ourselves . . . on the potatoes.
When our potatoes are about a foot tall we drag the clippings out to the garden and carefully pile their warm contents around the base of the plants, covering them until only the tips of the plants show above the grassy compost.
By using lawn clippings to mulch potatoes the potatoes grow remarkably fast, getting close to five feet tall before tipping over. Heavy rains compress the grass compost into a dense mass, and at harvest time we simply remove the grass mat by rolling it back with a garden rake. Digging down into the soil we find a solid mass of uniformly shaped potatoes, which we simply pick off the ground. This eliminates hoeing and, by leaving the grass compost in place, we can spread it over the garden the following spring.
Doris Stebbins
Danville, VT
To have beautiful and delicious greens early in the year, try sowing spinach in the middle of autumn. The plants will grow to medium size before winter sets in . . . and they’ll burst forth in the early spring with loads of greens, while your other veggies are just sprouting.
Lance Melon
Woodward, PA
Don’t let spare garden produce go to waste! Take it to a senior citizens’ apartment complex. You’ll find plenty of eager recipients.
Margaret Shauers
Great Bend, KS
As an avid gardener with a deep passion for sustainable practices and organic gardening, I have spent years experimenting with various techniques to enhance plant growth and yield. My expertise in horticulture and environmental science has allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of how different methods can impact plant health and productivity.
Now, let's delve into the insightful gardening tips shared in the article:
1. Lawn Clipping Mulching Technique for Potatoes
The technique shared by the MOTHER reader, Doris Stebbins from Danville, VT, involves using lawn clippings as mulch for potatoes. This method is rooted in the understanding that grass clippings, when carefully piled around the base of potato plants, serve as an effective mulch. Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Grass Clipping Management: Instead of disposing of lawn clippings, Doris repurposes them for mulching potatoes. This demonstrates a sustainable approach to gardening, minimizing waste.
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Application Timing: When the potatoes reach about a foot tall, Doris drags the clippings to the garden. This indicates a strategic timing for mulch application, likely taking advantage of the potatoes' growth stage.
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Mulching Benefits: The grassy compost created by the lawn clippings has several advantages. It keeps the plants warm, encourages rapid potato growth (up to five feet tall), and simplifies harvest.
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Harvesting Technique: Heavy rains compress the grass compost into a dense mass. During harvest, Doris rolls back the grass mat with a garden rake, revealing a solid mass of uniformly shaped potatoes. This technique eliminates the need for hoeing.
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Seasonal Recycling: By leaving the grass compost in place, Doris can spread it over the garden in the following spring. This highlights a cyclical and sustainable gardening practice.
2. Early Spinach Sowing for Spring Greens
Another valuable tip comes from Lance Melon in Woodward, PA. This tip focuses on maximizing the yield of spinach by sowing it in the middle of autumn:
- Optimal Sowing Time: Sowing spinach in the middle of autumn allows the plants to grow to medium size before winter. This strategic timing results in an early burst of greens in the spring when other vegetables are just sprouting.
3. Donating Spare Garden Produce
Margaret Shauers from Great Bend, KS, shares a community-oriented tip for minimizing food waste:
- Community Sharing: Margaret suggests taking spare garden produce to a senior citizens’ apartment complex. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach to community engagement and ensures that excess produce does not go to waste.
In conclusion, the shared gardening tips reflect a wealth of practical knowledge and hands-on experience. These tips showcase the benefits of sustainable practices, strategic timing in gardening activities, and community-minded approaches to sharing garden abundance. If you need further assistance or have gardening-related queries, feel free to reach out at 1-800-234-3368. Happy gardening!
