Recycling cola case cardboard

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I recycle the gloss finish thin cardboard soda can cases by splitting them open and using them as a mulch cover by putting them over the surface of my SFG raised beds. The side flaps make excellent vertical anchors and when turned brown side up, they absorb sunlight to warm the soil beneath. The gloss side also helps to retain moisture in the planting medium during the growing season. It controls weed growth. Is thin enough to plant through as larger scale commercial farms use black plastic. Best of all, it bio degrades and recycles during the season.

During the season, I add wormcast to the surface around the plant holes to provide leach fertilizing to the plants.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2003

Answers

Jay: I remember you saying you're getting out of the worm thing due to so many hours. Are you still doing it on a smaller scale to fortify your gardens?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

Sounds like you are doing your part in 'using up with what cha' got' . . . cool idea, Jay.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

Interesting idea, I may give it a try this year. Since I've cut back on the pop/soda consumption we don't have nearly as many cardboard cases so I guess I should start saving them now.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

I backed down my worm ranch from 200 bins down to six . I gave the excess and my bait customer contacts to the two guys I hired to work the worms for me. It just got too big to suit me. I was working almost 60 hrs a week on it and dont want to put in more than 10 hrs a week in running it.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2003

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