Rover 9859 - 5HP Petrol - Manual (Page 11)

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.