Page by Page | The Weekend Homesteader: A 12 Month Guide to Self-Sufficiency | Chapter One - Part Four

Surprise! I thought the first chapter only had three sections but upon turning the page, I realized I was blind as a bat and stupid to boot!

Part Four - Kill Mulch

Author Anna Hess writes about four aspects of kill mulch - why, how, compost pile kill mulch, and Hugelkultur!

What is kill mulch?
“Kill mulch gardens use a thick layer of mulch on the soil surface to prevent weeds from sprouting.”

Also known as: lasagna garden, sheet mulch, no-till garden

First, why should you choose to use the kill mulch method in your garden?Normally when starting a garden, people want to till the soil in order to loosen it, kill undesired plants, and work compost into the ground. But tilling also causes problems including:

• Erosion
• Death of beneficial soil microorganisms
• Loss of organic matter
• More weeds
• Soil compaction
• Crusting (tiny particles of earth that form a crust across the surface after the first rain which prevents subsequent water from percolating into the soil).

Second, how do you start a kill mulch garden?

Well, the process is pretty simple. Mow down the current vegetation as close to the ground as possible. Then lay down a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard for the “kill” part of the kill mulch. Wet it down and then simply spread a “thick layer of (weed free compost) mulch on the surface. The extra organic matter promotes the growth of earthworms, who do the work of tilling your soil and moving compost throughout the growing zone without over-aerating and breaking down organic matter.”

Third, how do you find enough compost and mulch?!

By using a compost pile kill mulch method!

Start by laying down the cardboard and a thin layer of compost. Then use the area as a compost pile throughout the fall and winter months. Your kill mulch area will be ready by spring!

Finally, if you don’t have the resources for kill mulch, try Hugelkultur!

Bless you! But seriously…

Hugelkultur is a method of building rich raised beds out of rotting wood! Have a lot of bramble and branches that need to go? Perfect!

The basic technique includes digging a hole, piling in rotten wood, and adding dirt/compost to the top. The technique is best for gardens with very poor soil and when you on’t mind waiting a few years to see results!

Do you use any of these methods? How do they work for you?

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First photo (modified by @kiaraantonoviche) from Pexels and used under the CC) license. Second photo courtesy Paul Wheaton/ RichSoil. Information and quote(s) from The Weekend Homesteader: A 12 Month Guide to Self-Sufficiency by Anna Hess. Footer badges created by @daddykirbs and @allforthegood. SteemitHomesteaders.Slack logo created by @greenacrehome.