Quote:
Originally Posted by sputinc7
Ed.. Why not compost? Homade compost is a wonderful mulch with the added benefit of fertilizer built in. (If you are referring to the bagged kind from walmart, I agree.)
I usually use my homade stuff before composting is complete so it's like mostly composted grass clippings, etc.
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It depends on what it is made with and how. Not all compost is the same. ... Compost can pack down to a dense layer; may hold too much water choking (air) the banana roots at the ground surface; and may still have active decomposition which can attract bugs. For use as a fertilizer, much of the nutrients will leach off during the 8 to 12 months it takes to make, unless you have a collection system for the 'tea'. So use as a fertilizer could be questionable as one doesn't know what the final NPK values are.
However, for the above use around the banana plant, I have no problem with some compost being spread and then covered with a thick layer of straw or grass clippings. ... The idea was to get a thick airy blanket over the ground to keep the soil cool from the sun.