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So, you’ve finally taken the plunge and purchased your Garden Mulcher Shredder. Now your back garden is a “black gold” mine, but there are a few things to know. As a rule, you can put through anything, but much like humans, your plants have specific needs too. Likewise, in the same way, you’d take a vitamin supplement booster. Mulch does the same for your plants. But what do your plants require, and what mulch helps boost them? See our range of mulchers here!
What should you put through your garden mulcher shredder?
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If you’re a green-fingered gran or wise plant parent, you’ll need to learn the exact nutrients your plants need. Moreover, being able to spot the signs can help you diagnose and treat any illness. But what should you feed them? Here’s a list of the nutrients your plants need and what you should put through your garden mulcher shredder to get them:
Garden Mulcher Shredder Guide – Nitrogen
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Nitrogen is a universal must-have. In fact, creating nitrogen-heavy compost enables similar benefits that protein has in humans and animals. It is vital for a strong stalk and growth. Moreover, have you ever noticed your plants yellowing? Well, that’s because of a lack of nitrogen.
What to put through your Garden Mulcher Shredder for Nitrogen:
What ‘greens’ (what nitrogen-rich materials are called) should you put through your garden mulcher shredder? Here’s a list:
- Kitchen Scraps (some might surprise you):
- Coffee Grounds
- Condiments
- Corncobs
- Cut Flowers
- Egg Shells
- Fruit Pits
- Fruits Rinds and Cores
- Nutshells
- Shellfish Shells
- Stale or Moldy bread
- Tea & Teabags
- Vegetable (Raw or Cooked)
- Grass Clippings – use the lasagna method (brown & green matter layered)
- Leaf & plant trimmings – when they’re finished for the season, use them here
- Weeds – put the pests to use by composting for nitrogen
- Feathers – put those old feather pillows to use
- Hair & Fur – clear out your and your pet’s hair brushes into your compost pile
- Hay – depending on how dry it is
Garden Mulcher Shredder Guide – Phosphorus:
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Moreover, now that we know what matter produces Nitrogen, it’s important to know the others too. Putting phosphorus matter through your garden mulcher shredder strengthens root systems. Moreover, it increases the capacity for seed creation, disease resistance and pest prevention. Likewise, it improves flowering and blooming so it pays to ensure it’s added.
What to put through your garden mulcher shredder for phosphorus
Here’s a list of materials used for phosphorus:
- Human Urine (or animal) – crazy, I know
- Chicken or Fish Bones – a perfect use for all those extra chicken bones
- Crab or shrimp waste
- Burned cucumber skins
- Human & Pet Hair
- Mushroom Compost
Garden Mulcher guide – Potassium
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Potassium is important for root and seed production. Moreover, it helps the plant survive extreme temperatures. However, too much potassium can prevent the absorption of other minerals, namely magnesium and calcium. A good (and somewhat obvious) source of potassium is banana peels. Consequently, placing these through your garden mulcher shredder is a good way of incorporating potassium into your mulch.
Calcium
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Likewise, calcium helps strengthen the overall tissue around the plant. It will help neutralize acidity both within and around the plant which helps boost the overall quality of the plant & soil. Sources for your garden mulcher shredder include:
- limestone
- burned lime
- hydrated lime
- gypsum
Magnesium
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Making magnesium-rich matter helps produce more chlorophyll which encourages the absorption of CO2 & produces a healthy green colour. If your plant lacks colour or looks ‘anaemic’, chances are it lacks magnesium. There are 3 materials that you can add to your mulch to increase the magnesium levels, these are Magnesium oxide, Magnesium sulfate, and potash magnesia.
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