gardenlover
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Philippines
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:37 am Post subject: Homemade potting soil question |
|
Can I add shredded newspapers in my soil?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 10463
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject: |
|
Many gardeners around here add shredded newspaper to their composting bins so I don't see what harm it would do to add it to your soil Gardenlover. I have a neighbour that even lays newspaper underneath his bark mulch as, according to him, it helps the garden by retianing water and also controls weeds to some extent.
_________________
 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
gardenlover
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Philippines
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:05 am Post subject: |
|
Thanks. But what I'm asking is... can I mix shredded newspapers as an ingredient in my own potting soil?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 10463
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
Give it a try as it won't do any harm to your plants. 
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1193
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:26 am Post subject: |
|
Absolutely, but bear in mind that it could alter the ph quite a bit, depending on how much you add. And don't use the shiney inserts.
_________________
Mary
|
|
| Back to top |
|
gardenlover
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Philippines
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:27 am Post subject: |
|
Thanks a lot from you guys. It's because I don't have the materials necessary for a potting soil. I don't have moss, just soil. I want to improve it's texture.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1193
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 3:39 am Post subject: |
|
Oh, I just noticed you are in the Philippines, no wonder you don't have moss, lol! I was there for a couple of weeks visiting friends, a looooong time ago (about 19 years, sigh!)
_________________
Mary
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Palm Tree
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Location: Cape Town (Map)
Posts: 823
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
Hi there
Feel free to use newspaper in your potting soil.
I make COMPOST for my own garden and amongst other waste products is use torn-up newspaper and cardboard boxes, sawdust and wood-shavings, animal manure, wood-fire ash, and kelp/seaweed.
However, when I prepare potting soil for my containers I only use 30 % COMPOST MIXED with sand.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
gardenlover
Just Arrived
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Philippines
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:27 am Post subject: |
|
Okay then. So what you are saying is... I can mix shredded newspapers in my potting soil to make it more porous? Or can I use a very cheap material to improve my potting soil's aeration?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bookmark us 
Subscribe
