Rover Mowers Limited | Chip `N Shred | COMPOSTING |
5.1 Mulch
Mulch is a mixture of broken down vegetable and organic materials which is used in the creation of compost or used as a covering in a garden bed.
5.2 Compost
Compost is a mixture of organic materials, mulch, loam soils, or other medium with added organic matter used to enrich garden beds to promote plant growth.
5.3 Humus
Humus is the organic constituents of soils formed by the decomposition of vegetable and organic materials. The Rover Chip `N Shred helps in the production of Mulch by shredding vegetable and organic materials into small pieces to make mulch that may be either spread throughout the garden bed as a thick layer or can be used to produce a rich compost.
5.4 Mulching the Garden
The spreading of a thick layer of mulch throughout the garden bed of between 50 and 150mm thick has many benefits for the garden:
∙Protects the root system of the plants.
∙Retains moisture in the soils.
∙Retards the growth of weeds which can be harmful to
∙plants.
∙Slowly releases nutrients into the soil to enhance plant growth.
∙Eliminates the need to use dangerous chemicals and fertilizers and therefore leads to be a healthier environment.
∙Eliminates the need to use landfill areas to dispose of unwanted garden rubbish. Some councils are now charging for the disposal of garden waste at local land fill areas.
5.5 Composting
With the mulch produced from the garden and vegetable waste these can be used to produce a nutrient rich compost. Compost can be produced in several ways from the mulch produced:
Compost Heap
A compost heap can be laid out under a tree or in a corner of the garden. Simply spread out a layer of mulch approximately 1200mm x 600mm. This can be then be built up in thin layers of soil and mulch to a height of
600mm. The compost heap should be covered to keep it from becoming waterlogged or drying out completely. To aid in the decomposition of the mulch, the compost heap should be turned over regularly.
Compost Bin
These either take the form of a drum mounted on a frame, or a simple drum standing on end with a removable lid. These types of units are used in a similar manner to the compost heap where mulch, soil and other organic materials are loaded into the drum for the production of compost. The drum mounted on the frame can be easily rotated to aerate the compost during decomposition of the organic materials.
5.6 Suitable materials for composting
∙Vegetable and fruit waste from the kitchen.
∙Dead plants and flowers Plant cuttings and prunes. * Green branches from small trees Sawdust and pulverised wood shavings.
∙Mulched material from the Rover Chip 'N Shred.
∙Cow, horse and chicken manure.
5.7 Materials that should NEVER be composted.
∙Metal objects.
∙Glass and ceramics Plastics.
∙Chemicals and Solvents.
∙Dog and cat droppings.
∙Meat scraps and bones.
