Soil building for nutrient density

ScottinAtlanta · June 30, 2013

Down south, the shredded kudzu mulch was an interesting idea, because the supply is virtually unlimited. Might want to experiment on a small area first to be sure it can't sprout from a tiny piece of shredded kudzu.

That is a good point. Kudzu is so durable that I have seen years-old baskets woven from dried kudzu vines sprout tendrils if left in wet weather. But I collect my kudzu before it seeds, and I put the entire vines and leaves through my wood chipper, which turns it into finely ground green mulch. I put it into the compost pile, which heats up to well over 100 degrees. As a result, I have never seen the slightest sign of life in the kudzu mulch.

Kudzu also grows underground tubers that are as long as 8 feet, and weigh 200 pounds, which is where much the nitrogen is stored. I am toying with the idea of mulching one of those up to hyper charge the compost.

June 30, 2013	#10
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	Down south, the shredded kudzu mulch was an interesting idea, because the supply is virtually unlimited. Might want to experiment on a small area first to be sure it can't sprout from a tiny piece of shredded kudzu. That is a good point. Kudzu is so durable that I have seen years-old baskets woven from dried kudzu vines sprout tendrils if left in wet weather. But I collect my kudzu before it seeds, and I put the entire vines and leaves through my wood chipper, which turns it into finely ground green mulch. I put it into the compost pile, which heats up to well over 100 degrees. As a result, I have never seen the slightest sign of life in the kudzu mulch. Kudzu also grows underground tubers that are as long as 8 feet, and weigh 200 pounds, which is where much the nitrogen is stored. I am toying with the idea of mulching one of those up to hyper charge the compost.