Kitchen Garden Forum

Just wondering what the general thoughts are about using shreaded paper ?
I am considering using this mixed with manure in my bean trenches and spud planting to help conserve moisture , and assuming it will ecventually decompose naturally...
Any thoughts or veiws would be appreciated .

Hi Tangoman,
I have found that torn up newspaper (well soaked) works well but found that actual shredded good quality white paper didn't seem to breakdown so quickly - maybe it was just conditions in the compost bin at the time but would be interested to see if anyone else has any views on the quality of the paper.
Hilary

I've put shredded newspaper into the compost heap and as long as the heap is kept moist it breaks down fairly quickly, and I assume the same would apply in a bean trench. Ordinary paper is nowhere near so moisture absorbant, so would take much longer to break down, so probably might be more of a hindrance than a help. And I don't think the worms would like it so much.

We put the paper from our small shredder in the compost bins and that might comprise "ordinary paper" which could be coated, but because it is already shredded, it seems to break down amongst the other bits. As long, as there is more greenery than paper, I would think it will break down, tangoman.

Thanks everyone..reckon if it is mixed with manure/veg wastes etc it will provide moisture and rot down ..
Will let everyone know how many kilos of beans it makes !!!!

Hi Tangoman,
Sometimes the old methods get set aside for something more modern but the use of newspaper torn up in strips was a very common practice long in the past and it worked then and it will work now.
If you are using shreddings it is best to soak them before laying in a trench because with one puff of wind and you have lost it all!
I wish you the best with your venture.
JB.

Someone once said that putting incompletely decomposed material in the ground depletes nitrogen, so it is better to compost the paper first me thinks? But I am not 100 percent so would welcoem other views?

CoMpO

Hi Compo,
As I see it you are right on one thing and not so right on another.
I have reread the original posting from Thetangoman and whereas I would use paper, especially shredded newspaper, at the bottom of a bean trench because the amount of Nitrogen depletion would be unlikely to effect the Beans but otherwise it is best to add to compost in shallow layers as part of your normal composting activities.
I certainly would not use uncomposted paper for a Potato crop.
If paper is composted without other compostable material it takes an absolute age but I have found that using fresh poultry manure will reduce paper to a usable compost in a very short space of time and it also takes the fire out of the poultry manure and this would go some way towards what you have said about nitrogen depletion. The trouble with fresh poultry manure it has an excess of urea.
JB.

Mark the day, and remember this moment 'Johnboy I agree' Mixing shredded paper with green waste and keeping wet helps it to rot much quicker, as I have no chickens I cannot put that in too. I have seen people spread wet white shredded paper on top of beds, it stays as paper snow for months on end

CoMpO

Swoon!
JB.