Mulch update late summer

Having a few truck loads of wood chips has really given me the opportunity to fill in some bald spots on the property. Areas where large trees wont allow much to grow under them. And other areas that get washed away when heavy rains occur.

Observing some of our severe weather in the South I have noticed rains can be so heavy they will transform regions over time by moving dirt around. This is all good and well in the forest. But where I live its exposing large tree roots and even pipes and cables under the ground. Laying down the mulch seems to stop this loss of soil. And over time will form a new layer high in nutrients and beneficial fungus.

The mulch has also made a nice boarder around the hegelkulture. And the wood chips cover any posts in the ground as over time the cement in the hole will start showing due to erosion.

As I have been filling in bald spots, I plant some new bushes and trees. Seen in the above photo are two Camelia plants. Hoping their bloom time lines up with my solitary bees. Always looking for more plants that flower between late February and early April.

In the next week or two, depending on when the forecast calls for some consistent rain. I plan on sowing some seeds in and on the mulch and sprinkle hay over top. In hopes of rooting flowers to better help lock in the mulch. And provide a pretty cover on the mulch.

In areas away from my edible plants I will sow some field and globe thistle seeds. @nateonsteemit recommended thistle as a decoy crop to get aphids away from the plants you dont want them on. Gonna give that a try as aphids have nearly killed my Raspberry bushes with a aphid borne virus.

In other areas near my edible plants I plan on laying some Alfalfa seeds as it's one of the favorite flowers of the Leafcutter bee and looks like it may make for good groundcover.

I have some other various seeds as well so excited to see what I can get to flower this fall. And hopefully drop seeds to stratify over the winter and bloom first thing in the spring for my bees to enjoy

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