10-23-2007, 10:27 AM
We bought a lot that is mostly “ironwood” trees - long needles have covered and mulched the whole lot - very little else has grown; except, some magnificent philodendrons which we love. What an experience - a rain-shower and being sheltered by their big leaves growing into the canopy.
We plan on selective clearing the lot to preserve as much as possible - the lava - the plants.
A few questions:
Are the “ironwood” needles something to save and run through a grinder/mulcher or just rake up and discard?
What do the needles do to the soil - make it acidic?
Under the needle mulch are several inches of rich looking humus - is it as good as it looks?
I read a little about “making soil” - what’s best to use cinder, gravel, sand?
Mahalo nui loa
Joey "O"
We plan on selective clearing the lot to preserve as much as possible - the lava - the plants.
A few questions:
Are the “ironwood” needles something to save and run through a grinder/mulcher or just rake up and discard?
What do the needles do to the soil - make it acidic?
Under the needle mulch are several inches of rich looking humus - is it as good as it looks?
I read a little about “making soil” - what’s best to use cinder, gravel, sand?
Mahalo nui loa
Joey "O"