Shredded Paper as OM

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Fullheadofturf1234
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Location: Southeast Michigan
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Shredded Paper as OM

Post by Fullheadofturf1234 » April 18th, 2019, 8:19 am

I did a quick search but didnt find anything through a couple of pages...


Has anyone used shredded paper as OM? I think this is a good way to consistenlty increase OM especially due to the amount of junk mail sent these days.

There might be some considerations about ink and if theres plastic or other toxins within the paper.

I may try a small section and see how it goes, has anyone tried this ?

bpgreen
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Location: Utah (Wasatch Front)
Grass Type: Western, Streambank, Crested wheatgrass in front (with blue grama added in the heckstrips), sheep fescue in back; strawberry clovetr in both
Lawn Size: 3000-5000
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Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by bpgreen » April 19th, 2019, 4:06 pm

I add shredded paper to my compost, and sometimes put it on the garden (followed by watering to get it to mat and keep weeds from growing).

I'm not sure how well it would work on the lawn.

Green
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Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by Green » April 19th, 2019, 9:22 pm

One issue is that it might blow everywhere.

Fullheadofturf1234
Posts: 176
Joined: June 10th, 2018, 1:41 pm
Location: Southeast Michigan
Grass Type: KBG I think
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by Fullheadofturf1234 » April 19th, 2019, 10:29 pm

Upom more research I found such a thing as a “microcut shredder”... chops up into a 4mmx10mm pieces. Pricey but changes the game with paper.

https://www.shredcare.com/products/boxi ... 1302373436

I may give this a go... they always say for compost to mix the greens and the browns together... well the greens will come from mulched grass clippings.

I think If i get enough for 1 whole yard application 1 time a season it effectively doubles my leaf mulching count speeding up my OM.

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trussin
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Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by trussin » May 1st, 2019, 12:50 pm

I also use it in my compost, though limit it to less than 10% of volume. How would you spread shredded paper on the lawn?


lojack323
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Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Grass Type: St. Augustine
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Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by lojack323 » May 1st, 2019, 2:39 pm

About 3 weeks ago I had the same idea and did a test area using shredded bills/junk mail (mainly to reduce our paper waste).

So far it's still totally recognizeable as shredded computer paper. This is on a mulch mowed and organically fed lawn (coffee grounds, alfalfa pellets, milorganite, dog poop and pee, etc). I'd assume like other organics it would eventually speed up. It would also probably help if I had to water more often than once every 1.5-2 weeks currently.

At least I can only see it if I'm standing directly over it lol. :good:

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Dchall_San_Antonio
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Re: Shredded Paper as OM

Post by Dchall_San_Antonio » May 1st, 2019, 5:23 pm

Based on the reported experience of someone on another forum, a long time ago, just keep after it. The other guy was putting sawdust from his cabinet shop on the soil. He claimed that after 10 years of doing that, his clay soil was soft enough to plunge his arm into. He also said that the sawdust decomposed faster and faster as the years went on. So if you can use teensy pieces of paper and keep it up, the soil microbes will adjust to those which can decompose paper quickly.

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