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Can you use shredded paper as media to grow plants? |
| By Ellen Brown |
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Question: Can you use shredded paper as media to grow plants?
Hardiness Zone: 5b
Marlena from East Berlin, PA
Answer: Marlena,
Depending on its makeup and absorbency, shredded paper could serve as a useful medium for sprouting seeds, similar to the way a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag works for sprouting seeds. But in terms of using it as a growing medium, the structure of most paper does not allow it to retain moisture long enough to support any real growth. My guess is that certain types of papers may have better potential as a growing medium than others. Paper made from cotton fibers, for example, may have a higher likelihood to retain moisture, but it's still doubtful that it would work very well. This is because one of the properties that makes paper so useful to us is the ability of paper fibers to bond together and form a mat when all the moisture is removed. In fact, the smaller the pieces the easier it is for the fibers to bond together once they dry. Raw paper doesn't contain enough beneficial nutrients to support plant life, but it's still incredibly useful in the garden. It's worth saving for the compost pile and shredded paper could make an almost impenetrable weed barrier, while gradually breaking down and adding organic matter to the soil.
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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RE: Can you use shredded paper as media to grow plants?
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Post By Koolio (Guest Post)
(08/26/2007)
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The short answer is - no. Unfortunately, when wet, it quickly turns into a paste-like consistency which prevents the roots from breathing and exchanging dissolved minerals. Besides, it does not contain the required minerals and cannot support the growth of bacteria normally present in the soil and essential for the plant. One might think mixing it in with the soil could help, which is possible (to an extent), but more serious problems arise: it promotes the growth of fungi. The fungi disrupt plant life not only directly but also by killing the soil bacteria (through action of antibiotics they produce). Moreover, paper often contains harmful chemicals which need to be broken down (e.g. by composting) prior to being used as a medium for plant growth. So, as Ms. Ellen Brown said, it has to be composted and then it makes a great medium. Shredded paper composts more readily, while composting helps to break down harmful chemicals and carbohydrates that would promote fungal growth.
RE: Can you use shredded paper as media to grow plants?
I do not think so as wet newspapers are used to block weeds from growing in the yard. I think the roots would not be able to breathe or get nourishments.
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