My very first papercrete project sort of snuck up on me.
I was pulling weeds in my yard, looked at a barrel of paper slurry that had been sitting out all winter, and thought hum...
Why buy weed mat when I've been stockpiling used paper?
So as a test, I cleared the weeds around a bush and poured a 2" layer of paper slurry (without cement or aggregates) in a 2 foot ring around a bush, leaving about an inch around the stalk clear.
I then "painted" the surface using a clump of grass with a clay root ball as a 'brush". Later, I found mixing the clay into the slurry before pouring probably works better.
Four days, and no rain, later, the paper mat is fully intact and still wet to the touch. Too soon to say for sure, but no weeds so far.
Hopefully it will work as a weed mat and help hold in the moisture during the dry summer months. I may try adding some fertilizer to the slurry and see if I can use the mat as a slow-release applicator.
Based on some paper forms that I poured years ago, the mat should last at least 2 years.
I did have a question however. Is anyone aware of any toxins in typical paper waste that could leach into the soil? My understanding is that non-toxic inks have been the norm for a while now.
I ask because if this test works I'd like to pour larger mats around my vegetables.
Photos of my first test are in the library. I'll update the album in a couple of weeks.
Thanks!
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