Sheet Mulching Around Existing Trees

Sheet mulching involves layering biodegradable material. The decaying materials add to the soil's nutrients, prevent weed growth and help the soil retain moisture. Sheet mulching requires carbon sources -- like paper, cardboard and wood chips -- and nitrogen-releasing materials like manure and leftover food. Adding worms and worm tea can increase helpful organisms and decrease pest problems. Sheet mulching can be arranged around existing trees easily; the best sites are protected from foot traffic, wind and other forces that might disrupt its arrangement.

Lawn sprayer
Worm tea
Manure
Rake
Gardening gloves
Newspapers
Brown cardboard

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a lawn sprayer with an equal mixture of worm tea (water infused with worm castings) and water and spray it onto the area around the tree. This repels pests and adds nutrients to the soil.
- 2
  Add an inch of manure onto the site. Water manure thoroughly.
- 3
  Mark off approximately 3 inches from the trunk to begin sheet mulching. Air and water movement near the trunk helps reduce pest and disease problems.
- 4
  Place a half-inch layer of newspapers onto the area around the tree. Overlap the layers to keep light from filtering through them, then water thoroughly.
- 5
  Add another inch of manure on top of newspapers. Water thoroughly.
- 6
  Layer cardboard on the manure, overlapping the pieces. Use brown cardboard rather than white, which may have bleach and other dangerous chemicals on it. Water this layer thoroughly.
- 7
  Add a 3- to 12-inch layer of wood chips, hay or straw to the site. Water the area thoroughly again.

How to Grow a Texas Mahogany Tree

How to Landscape Around Trees Using Edging

Landscaping Trees