Here is our list of favorite tools and supplies for building healthy soil using the sheet mulching method.
Basic gardening tools are a must:
- A flat shovel will help with turf removal
- A Garden Fork will help with breaking up the soil just a little
Extras you will need for this project
- Landscaping flags will help you identify where the irrigation heads are
For breaking up compacted soil, or taking care of a lawn organically, you can use one of these tools, depending on the size of the area:
- A Lawn Spike Aerator
- Lawn Aerator Shoes
- An Auger Bit fitted to a hand drill
To actually do the sheet mulching you will need a concentrated form of soil biology such as Worm Castings or Marilyn’s Own Tri-C Soluble Humate. You will also need painters or builders paper if you can’t stockpile enough cardboard or newspaper.
Mulch
- Get this from your local green waste recycling plant – Miramar and AgriService (Oceanside and Otay Mesa) for us in San Diego County, or
- Tree trimmers often have to pay to get rid of chipped up tree trimmings, and will happily drop them off in your yard. Be on the look out for tree trimmers working in your neighborhood, and ask.
- Free Mulch from About Trees
- The Forestry Group
A good hose, fitted with a shut off nozzle is vital, and a hose splitter attachment is useful too – let’s you wash your hands while the hose is still attached.
earthfriendly
DIANE DOWNEY is a highly experienced landscape consultant, licensed landscape contractor, and landscape designer – she ran The Yard Fairy, an award-winning residential landscape design/build company for 10 years, holding a CA landscape contractor’s license (C-27).
SHERI MENELLI is an experienced permaculture design consultant, business owner, international public speaker and educator. She is a marketing and publicity consultant who has been in over 200 magazines and newspapers as well as made 5 TV appearances and been on over 50 radio shows. She’s worked in several industries with marketing and publicity including helping some of the top soil scientists in the world. She has been an educator, developing her own curricula for over 15 years.
Both Sheri and Diane blended their passion for landscaping and the environment with a background of teaching adults, and now regularly teach homeowner classes on rainwater capture, soil health, the use of native plants, turf removal, and efficient irrigation, both in the landscape, in the classroom and via one-to-one garden coaching sessions.
SHERI MENELLI is an experienced permaculture design consultant, business owner, international public speaker and educator. She is a marketing and publicity consultant who has been in over 200 magazines and newspapers as well as made 5 TV appearances and been on over 50 radio shows. She’s worked in several industries with marketing and publicity including helping some of the top soil scientists in the world. She has been an educator, developing her own curricula for over 15 years.
Both Sheri and Diane blended their passion for landscaping and the environment with a background of teaching adults, and now regularly teach homeowner classes on rainwater capture, soil health, the use of native plants, turf removal, and efficient irrigation, both in the landscape, in the classroom and via one-to-one garden coaching sessions.
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