Need: > Lots of used newspaper
Need: > At least 2 volunteers to provide water source to wet down paper (Carrousel Court and Towerbell Court – facing auxiliary parking)
Need: > Any number of volunteers to apply the mulch (extra shovels and wheelbarrows greatly needed)
The first phase of this project was completed two weekends ago. The next step will take place early (anytime after 7 AM) Saturday, August 6th. A member of the Audubon Society has graciously donated used newspapers. Anyone who has extra old newspapers is asked to bring them up to the auxiliary parking lot early Saturday morning. The mulch will be delivered Thursday, August 4th.
This Saturday’s step is to place a layer of 10 sheets of newspaper over the outlined areas and cover with three inches of leaf mulch-compost. Wetting the newspaper aids in keeping down and ensures a more successful solarization. The combination of newspaper and mulch will allow the sun to heat up the plots and slowly kill the weeds, grasses and seeds. If you are interested in helping, contact Richard Sun (richard.sun82@gmail.com) or Maureen Goodfellow (mmmteg@aol.com) (703-560-1127).
When it is cooler (mid-September or later), these plots will be planted with plugs and potted plants. Our volunteers will plant right through the mulch and newspaper (which eventually decomposes) and combine soil and organic matter in the holes, plant-by-plant. The planting holes will be generous to enable young plants to root without problem. We will choose mostly native plants that are hardy and meet recommendations. These plants will have root systems that extend well beyond or turf which extends 2-3” deep. They will anchor the soil and slow the stormwater run-off.