Dried lavender as mulch...?

[Truthbesaid]

Hey guys I have about four 12x12 boxes full of dried lavender that my buddy brought home for me (his family grows it for sale at farmers markets) my question to you is can I mulch with it? I know it has insecticidle properties an ive saved enough to make into a tea as a foliar spray an I can get more at my own free will. So will mulching help as well? Or should it just be tossed in the compost pile?

 

[CannaExists]

Hey I don't see why not! That would be Incredibly Attractive.

That is nuts man, 4 boxes of Lavender? Do me a favor, and swim in that for me.

 

[CC_2U]

Hey guys I have about four 12x12 boxes full of dried lavender that my buddy brought home for me (his family grows it for sale at farmers markets) my question to you is can I mulch with it? I know it has insecticidle properties an ive saved enough to make into a tea as a foliar spray an I can get more at my own free will. So will mulching help as well? Or should it just be tossed in the compost pile?

Can't comment on using it as a mulch but the dried flowers make a kick-ass pesticide and fungicide.

HTH

CC

 

[mad librettist]

the pesticide and fungicide in lavender is natural and does not persist in the environment. It's like mulching with neem cake. People like me have sounded the alarm in the past, but the ones who ignored me developed no problems.

mulch away.

 

[Truthbesaid]

Thank you so much guys just added it as mulch in my garden. My veggies an plants thank you all.

 

[3rdEye]

Given that it's the petals right? Then you should probably have a decent flowering mulch i'd think. Or make some into FPE for a soil drench. I'm sure both will be great.

 

[CC_2U]

3rdEye

In his original post JayKush didn't mention applying the Lavender tea as a soil drench, per se. So I decided that this needed to be tested - LOL

I hit some color spot plants (marigolds, pansies, etc.) in the garden - seemed to go well. I can't say that I saw anything spectacular or amazing but it was like any organic mix it had a definite benefit.

How that would play out for applying to a cannabis plant in a container I can't say but there's my limited experience.

CC

 

[DARC MIND]

ive been collecting a nice amount of lavender
i use it as mulch along with rosemarry canes pacifically as a insect deterrent..
ACRES fed issue had a neat little read in the eco update callumn called "gnat reppellant", following is a copy

For years, gardeners have claimed that putting Bounce® fabric softener sheets in their pockets is an effective way to repel pests like mosquitoes and gnats. Any Internet search will uncover countless articles about the bug-repelling properties of Bounce®. Are these claims valid or simply folklore? The authors of a new study say that until now, no quantitative data has existed to substantiate these claims, but their latest research has revealed a definitive answer: Bounce® sheets do indeed repel adult gnats.

In a report just published in HortScience, Kansas State University Department of Entomology professor Raymond Cloyd and colleagues discussed a series of five replicated experiments they conducted to ascertain whether Bounce® dryer sheets (Outdoor Fresh Scent™, Procter and Gamble) repel fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions. “In all five experiments, the mean proportion of fungus gnat adults collected in the sample compartments containing the dryer sheets were significantly fewer, ranging from 12% to 18% ,whereas the compartments without dryer sheets contained 33% to 48% of the fungus gnats released in the arena”, said Cloyd. “This study is the first to demonstrate that Bounce® original brand fabric softener dryer sheets repel fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions.”

The research team also analyzed the volatile compounds in the dryer sheets using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. One of the major volatile compounds detected in Bounce® was linalool, a colorless monoterpene alcohol used by cosmetic and perfume companies for its flower-like odor. Linalool—present naturally in plants such as lavender, marjoram, and basil—has been shown to be toxic to a number of different mites and insects. The experiments also indicated high levels of the volatile compound beta-citronellol, found in plants including rose geranium, citronella, and lemon balm, and known for its ability to repel mosquitoes.

http://hortsci.ashspublications.org...INDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT
&
TRICHOMES AND ROOT HAIRS: NATURAL PESTICIDE FACTORIES
all the more reason to grow a variety of lavender, marjoram,basil & others herbs;using extra trimings as mulch,medicine,spices,worm food,FPE,ect

 

[Truthbesaid]

Wow thank you so much for that link darc, I already use Rosemary an basil as mulch as well an in teas. 3rdeye or anyone else can you please explain the idea of an FPE? I use the method jaykush mentioned about the lavender insecticide where you put about a 1/4 cup in a bottle an let sit 24-48 hours except I do one for both Rosemary an lavender an apply separately everyother day an I have had no problem with mites, aphids, or anything on any plant in my garden from artichokes an tomatoes to cannabis an berries.

Edit: FPE fermented plant extracts. Just found it in the stickies. I'm giving it a try in the morning

 

[jaykush]

i would save the lavender for other uses, a waste as a mulch imo.

coot i used the lavender as a light feed long before i knew of the mite killing properties.

 

[Truthbesaid]

Thanks for the input Jay. It's already in my pots and on the ground of my garden but next time I'll save them for folair sprays an soil drenches. How long does it last once made into a tea ? Could I store it as a tea in gallon jugs? Or would saving it has dry flowers be better..

 

[jaykush]

well the teas do last months if you absolutely need to, but i find its far easier to make what you need for the next week or two. and save the dried material for later batches.

 

[DARC MIND]

you can always use the lavender dregs as a mulch
less chances of gnats if u topmulch regularly with homemade casting and compost..indoors

 

[Truthbesaid]

I figured they didn't last two long so I've just been using them as a soil drench for my corn an peppers after I spray them. But it's good to know I can keep them longer if need be.

 

[TACOE]

Fillsome sort of vessel half way with the lavender (could add any number of other herbs at this point to vary the nutes. Nettle, dandies, comfrey, chamomile, yarrow, or any young weed. Even grass clippings)
Add a little boiling water to break down waxes and stuff for 5 min or so
Fill rest of way with cold water
Ferment for few weeks

Strain for foliar cut x 10
Cut x 3+ for dirt

Why not

If u got EM do it the way they do in fpe thread. Could also throw a little molasses

 

[jaykush]

imo grass clippings are far better for the compost pile. or if its grass with no seeds dried and used as a mulch.

 

[TACOE]

Agreed. Though I haven't used clippings as mulch indoors

Just mowed lawn. And loade up the pile. Maybe I'll dry some for the tomatoes

 

[MrFista]

Nice. Never thought of the culinary herbs for mulch you opened my eyes here people thank you.

Sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, I have large excess of all of these.

Lavender too.

 

[CC_2U]

MrFista

When I looked at the commercial miticide made from Rosemary leaves (EcoTrol) it included marjoram as well. Other commercial organic concoctions out of Holland & Austria used one of the plants you listed - I can't remember which version used which specific plant.

From further reading it seems that these culinary herbs carry a great amount of benefit on several levels with the insecticide and fungicide being at the top of most lists. Especially the fungicide component.

CC