The Great Mulch

The annual ritual has commenced.  As the last two posts indicate the process has already started. Today, and probably right through to the end of November, the main activity is to mulch all the vegetable beds and the flower beds with a good 3 - 4 inches of compost. I don't dig it in; just spread it on the surface to protect, condition and feed the soil, as well as  keep weeds at bay over winter. 

Every growing area gets the same treatment irrespective of any crop rotation. Our sandy soil is able to absorb as much organic matter as it can take. My estimate is that I will be shifting, notwithstanding any intervening orthopaedic issues, something approaching 4 tonnes of well rotted manure and compost using a shovel and a wheelbarrow. 

I am fortunate in that I am able to produce this much compost from the land we have. There is a continual process of re-cycling where the outputs become inputs. It is not an entirely self-sustaining system because the hay for the sheep and the straw for the pigs' bedding, which represent important inputs, are imported from outside. However, it all either gets composted or is transformed into fertiliser for the grazing fields.

Mulching has to fit around the routine tasks and other things that might need to be done, but will be eventually completed bit-by-bit.