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Planting can be done immediately behind the VH Mulcher in most cases.
Two extreme conditions can occur when planting is not recommended: 1. extremely dry soil where little moisture is available for new seedling roots. 2. extremely dense pure clays where the earth has broken out in small clumps (sometimes blue clays) and there was little top soil or organic matter to be mixed in. In these extreme situations it is best to wait for at least one good rainfall.
What makes the optimum VH Mulcher spot?
A mixed ratio of 50% organic material and 50% mineral soil makes the best medium to plant a new seedling into. In each spot organic material may include a few (less than 5) sticks up to 1 inch (2.4 cm) in diameter 18 " inches (.5m) in length. Nothing larger than this will stay within the planting spot due to the centrifugal action of rotation. Larger pieces could cause air pockets. Pieces of this size form healthy plant food over time.
Not often do sites have enough organic material to reach this ratio without scalping of adjacent ground to borrow the rich organic matter. To field test this simply form a damp (not wet) soil ball in your hands by compressing it together. If the ball structure stays together and when broken in half organic material can readily be seen then you have approximately the right ratio.
Size of Spot
Size may vary on site conditions and full objectives. The VH Mulcher is made to be versatile and is accommodating. The most common size is 1.50 sq. meters or 15 sq. ft for most beds/small mounds. For arid sites 1.25 sq. meters is most common. Where scalping of adjacent organic matter is necessary the total disturbed area may double per spot. If greater vegetation control is required similar results could be expected. In very deep organic sites or on very wet boggy ground2 sq. meters per spot may be averaged.
The best location to plant on VH Mulcher spots:
On arid sites the seedling is placed in the center of a shallow depression frost pocketing is not a principal concern/risk. The level position can be chosen by planting the small beds near the center or slightly elevated above the adjacent mineral soil level.
On Beds or Mounds
Find the curved excavation line then find the center of the curved line which then follow a straight line at a right angle, to near the top of the mixed bed (in the center). At this approximate location there is a 2 sq. foot target area that produces the best results on a bedding site.
