Sheet mulching is a layering system, that restores nutrients into the soil, without disturbing the soil itself. Since our soil did not have significant lead content, we felt comfortable using this method, as the soil quality will increase as the sheet mulch breaks down, and we planted our raspberries and rhubarb in it...
Our Sheet Mulching system:
1 Layer Aged Manure
1 Layer Cardboard
1 Layer Seaweed
1 Layer Straw
This was our recipe, but sheet mulching has no exact formula. The basic technique is:
1st layer- heavy nitrogen, such as kitchen scraps, grass clippings, compost...
2nd layer- weed barrier, such as newspaper, or biodegradable products....
3rd layer- water retention and potassium layer
4th layer- something to keep the layering system moist and also the final layer to complete the system; can be pine needles, sawdust, etc.
Most people sheet mulch in the fall and plant in it in the spring, however, one can sheet mulch in the spring and plant in it, just as we did, or even sheet mulch around existing perennials such as fruit trees or shrubs.
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