Three Ways To Make Mulch Down On The Farm
Posted on: 6 July 2017
When you need mulch on the farm, what do you do? You probably buy a ton of it from the local gardening and feed store. However, there are several ways you can make your own mulch, especially since you have a farm and have direct access to several materials that already make good mulch.
Grass Clippings
You know that lawn mower you bought to cut the yard around the house? It probably has a mulching feature. This means you can cut and cross-cut grass clippings and harvest them in a side bag to create mulch. Mulch from grass clippings has several nutrients many other plants need, which is why the clippings make such an excellent (and cheap!) mulch.
Bark Chips
Undoubtedly, you have a log splitter and chipper in your tool shed. If you need mulch, bark chips are great. They do not deteriorate quite as quickly as grass clippings, yet they hold a lot of moisture. For some mulching needs, you have to retain a lot of moisture close to the ground, especially during droughts. Find some trees on your property and haul out the chipper. You will have plenty of bark chip mulch by lunchtime.
Mow down a Dead Field
A farmer's biggest asset, next to livestock, is his/her fields. If you are like most farmers, you rotate your crops. The dead and useless stalks or plants left over after harvest can be gathered up and turned into mulch. When combined with a little manure, the ground crop leftovers also become a fertilizing mulch, which is really good for just about anything you plant in the yard or in the field.
Guess What? That Was All Free
If you make your own mulch on the farm, it is all free. It only requires some time and elbow grease and maybe a few farm hands to gather it up. If you do not have the machinery to make certain kinds of mulch, you may be able to ask another farmer to lend you the machines you need. At worst, you could always rent a chipper for a day, or trade some grain or hay for the use of a chipper or mulching mower.
If you have absolutely none of the above, you could check with the nearest city dump. Some cities create free mulch piles and pick-up points where residents can take loads of dirt, mulch, and fertilizer for free. All you need is a pickup truck and a couple of spare hours in your day.
Contact a company like McLean Wood Products for more information and assistance.
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