#chipdrop

[adafruit]

Desk of Ladyada – Designing More Protos & Trying Out Codex 🧠🔁🕹️ Protos are pumping! 🛠️ We're designing breakouts for new chips + testing Codex vs Claude. Also: help us find a WM8960 replacement 🎧 and maybe… should bring back the DIGG button kit? 🕹️ Tune in! 👉 https://youtu.be/JYbHJVo71-s

[jensownzoo]

Got my delivery of woodchips from ChipDrop and got it all moved out of the street (where I had them dump it) within 24 hours. *flexes muscles* *clutches back*

And! It was from an Eastern White Pine so everything smells a-maze-ing right now.

[meta-sequoia]

god I love Chipdrop. yes, my startup is pioneering WaaS (woodchips as a service)

Or woodchips as a disservice, as the case may be

[captainjonnitkessler]

ChipDrop: We cannot guarantee a delivery date. Your mulch could arrive an hour after you place a request or it could take three months. Please tell us you understand that this is not an on-demand service and it could be weeks until you get your mulch BEFORE you place this request

Me: yes of course I understand

Also me, plastered to the window thirty seconds after placing my request: Where Is Mulch

[seabeck]

My chipdrop showed up finally! It’s going to go towards smothering weeds in the garden. If it wasn’t pouring rain down on it I’d look into putting some in the run

[the-habitat-ring]

Finally got more woodchips!

ChipDrop has always been very reliable for us but in the past year Google has decided that our road doesn’t exist and our address is actually located 45 minutes away, no matter what we do 🙄 So we’ve had several attempted deliveries but none were successful until this week

Now I’m trying very hard not to totally overdo it while catching up on everything I’ve wanted to get done for months, like mulch the blueberry and lavender bed (the poor baby blueberries blend in so well 😭) and smother a bunch of grass to make planting areas for next year.

The neighbor’s chickens are also having a great time digging through the pile, which I don’t mind at all 😆

[gargelyfloof118]

We just received our first Chip Drop!! The pictures don't do justice on how big this pile is! I'm about to have some very happy chickens and manicured paths!!

A town south of us got hammered by that recent storm. They had downed trees on practically every road. Our arborist came from that clean up. Said he's already delivered a load to family nearby. He's going back for another round. I let him know we have plenty of room for more if he can't find another place to dump it. (The local places were going to charge him $50 for chips and $200 for logs to dump it.)

This weekend is going to be busy! Omg I'm stupid excited about this.

If any of my US people are interested in Chip Drop, I definitely recommend checking it out!

[tetedurfarm]

i did not consider the ramifications of derek being like twice the size of orion when i brought him home. he's turning the front half of the buck pen into the mud vortex and i'm like. oh yeah. duh.

fortunately we have a healthy pile of woodchips, some from chipdrop and some from the trees we had to cut down earlier this year. we've really had a lot of success putting chips down in the gateways to keep the mud controlled, it kinda settles into the ground and keeps it from getting torn up so bad i guess. chips we put down last year are still keeping the mud down this year now that rainy season is starting so i have a lot of hope!

in the kidding pen and the gateway of the goatshed i have concrete pavers and they also help a lot, but they do shift in some places if the mud gets bad underneath them, and they are significantly less cheap than free woodchips. the real pro of the pavers though is they are less dusty in the summer than the chips are, so i will probably lay down some pavers too along the fence where derek spends his time smelling does and begging for treats, just for another extra layer of protection.

ymmv, obviously, but i live in the actual rainiest region of the country, apparently, and woodchips almost completely solved my mud issues. and they were free! i always recommend people in the US sign up for chipdrop if you need woodchips; you don't have control over when you get some, but if you know if there's gonna be some tree maintenance happening nearby you can kinda time it a little. i like to sign up right around fall (so like, now,) because the county PUD cuts back trees from the power lines before it gets windy/snowy and they have chips coming out of their ears. it's also a good time to pick up free firewood if you have a truck and a chainsaw :d

anyway the point is. sometimes mud control can be free and there's no excuses to forcing animals to live in muck, especially if you know you live in a wet area like i do.

[oh-he-grows]

the grapes are still chugging along, although I've had to water them specially since it's so horribly hot and dry

I spent most of the day spreading woodchips over the rest of my path areas since my chipdrop finally came. Lay down cardboard, wet thoroughly, cover with woodchip and wet again

[damasaknjigama]

The Perils of Landscaping Fabric: A Quest for Weed Control

Homeowner seeks alternatives to landscaping fabric to combat weeds in their rock garden

A homeowner found themselves in a predicament when their once-lush landscaping became overrun with weeds. Seeking advice, they turned to the online community of Reddit for suggestions on effective weed control methods that would allow for flexibility in their garden design. The homeowner expressed a desire to avoid using landscape fabric and instead sought natural alternatives.

This dilemma sparked a discussion on the pitfalls of using landscaping fabric and the importance of finding eco-friendly solutions.

While gardening and growing one's own food can have numerous benefits, it is crucial to approach these activities in an environmentally responsible manner. The use of harmful materials like plastic-based landscape fabric can have detrimental effects on both the soil and surrounding ecosystems. In this article, we explore the drawbacks of landscape fabric and delve into the suggestions provided by the Reddit community as they offer insights into more sustainable weed control options.

The Downside of Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric is widely used as a weed control measure in gardens and landscapes. However, its efficacy in preventing weed growth has been called into question by numerous examples and testimonials. Moreover, the fabric is made of plastic, which eventually breaks down and releases harmful toxins into the soil.

Over time, these toxins can find their way into waterways, posing risks to both humans and wildlife. The negative environmental impact of landscape fabric has prompted many to seek alternative methods of weed control.

Natural Alternatives to Landscape Fabric

Recognizing the need for eco-friendly alternatives, commenters on the Reddit post offered various suggestions to the homeowner. One popular option is the use of cardboard and newspapers. These materials serve as effective weed barriers while also decomposing over time, enriching the soil.

Another recommendation is the use of wood chips, which not only prevent weed growth but also provide a natural aesthetic appeal to the garden. Some users even mentioned a service called ChipDrop, which delivers wood chips for free, although caution was advised due to potential overwhelming quantities.

The Community's Consensus

Despite the lack of a unanimous solution, there was a resounding agreement among commenters to avoid landscape fabric altogether. Many users expressed regret after using the material, emphasizing that weeds still managed to grow through it, and removing it proved to be a daunting and labor-intensive task. The consensus was clear: opting for natural alternatives is not only more effective but also better for the environment.

As the homeowner found themselves entangled in a battle against weeds in their rock garden, they sought advice from the Reddit community on alternatives to landscape fabric. The discussion shed light on the drawbacks of using plastic-based fabric for weed control and the need for more sustainable options. The consensus among commenters was to embrace natural alternatives such as cardboard, newspapers, or wood chips to prevent weed growth while maintaining a healthy and eco-friendly garden.

By choosing these alternatives, homeowners can avoid the pitfalls of landscape fabric and contribute to a greener future.

[itsfazee]

The Perils of Landscape Fabric: A Homeowner's Quest for Weed Control

Seeking Alternatives to Monoculture Lawns

A homeowner found themselves grappling with an overwhelming weed problem in their beautifully landscaped yard. Desperate for solutions, they turned to the online community on Reddit for advice, specifically looking for alternatives to landscape fabric. In this article, we explore the pitfalls of using landscape fabric and delve into the suggestions provided by fellow Redditors to help the homeowner regain control over their garden.

The Ineffectiveness and Environmental Impact of Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric, a commonly used material to prevent weeds in gardens, has been a source of disappointment for many gardeners. Not only does it often fail to effectively control weeds, but it also poses environmental risks. Made of plastic that eventually breaks down, landscape fabric can contaminate the soil and find its way into our waterways, causing harm to both humans and wildlife.

With these concerns in mind, the homeowner sought alternative methods to maintain their garden without resorting to landscape fabric.

Embracing Natural Options for Weed Control

In their quest for a weed-free garden, the homeowner expressed a desire to maintain flexibility in their landscaping and the ability to plant in pockets between rocks. Redditors were quick to offer suggestions that aligned with this vision while providing effective weed control. One popular alternative was using cardboard or wood chips.

These materials not only prevent weed growth but also offer environmental benefits, such as saving money and protecting the planet. Some users even recommended services like ChipDrop, which delivers wood chips directly to your door for free. However, it's important to note that some individuals have faced challenges when using this method, highlighting the need for careful consideration and proper execution.

The Community's Resounding Disapproval of Landscape Fabric

The Reddit community was united in their disdain for landscape fabric, with many users sharing their negative experiences and regrets. Commenters vehemently advised against using the material, describing it as ineffective and a nightmare to remove once its shortcomings become apparent. Instead, they advocated for alternatives such as cardboard, newspapers, pea gravel, and bark chips.

While there may not be a consensus on the perfect replacement, the unanimous agreement was to prioritize natural methods and avoid landscape fabric altogether.

Gardening and maintaining a beautiful landscape can be both fulfilling and environmentally friendly when approached with the right methods. The homeowner's search for effective weed control without relying on landscape fabric led them to discover a wealth of alternatives through the Reddit community. By embracing natural materials like cardboard and wood chips, they can maintain the flexibility they desire while keeping their garden free from invasive weeds.

The collective wisdom of the Reddit community serves as a reminder to prioritize eco-conscious practices in our gardening endeavors, safeguarding both our personal spaces and the planet we call home.

[joyfulcreationsbytonyajoy]

had my first chip drop November 2023 #chipdrop #housetohome #girlpower #fyp #roadtolk #CapCut #joyfulcreationsbytonyajoy

#smallbusiness #homemade #smallbiz #ecofriendly #unpapertowels #crochetersoftiktok #garden #homeimprovement #workwithwhatyougot

[jensownzoo]

Oh absolutely fucking not.

I have 11 silver maple trees on my small property--go eat those and leave my strawberries alone.

[meta-sequoia]

yeah so the reason for this sudden woadposting is because, well, last weekend i ripped out my lawn. the process:

peel up the sod (almost entirely straw and nylon backing now)

rent a rototiller because of the incredibly compacted top layer of clay that was thus revealed

avoid killing myself hefting the rototiller in and out of the van, or indeed at any other point when wrangling a noisy creature that’s made entirely out of blades and hot metal

draw out the yard in autodesk fusion (this was a bad decision; use almost any other program) as a fill-in template for planning out plantings

dig in compost and plant cover crops and groundcover and shade-tolerant perennials for under the existing trees (we are here)

dig in compost to prep food and herb garden in the sunniest part of the yard, about 200sqft because I am restraining myself

get a chipdrop, just as soon as I get a weekend together where no one needs to uh. use the driveway. spread the woodchips everywhere that needs mulch (kimberly also hated mulch, apparently?)

plant existing herbs plus cover crops in the food area, probably red clover if my seeds are still good

however, after I have begun to plant groundcover, S, the resident knitter, remembers that, hey, they wanted to grow dye plants! fortunately i am very on board with this plan, and had already left open space in my plan for when I inevitably remembered there was yet another herb I wanted to grow. candidates include:

woad: the aforementioned brassica. Also has a big-ass taproot for breaking up clay soils (which, bonus). May be weedy here, so I should look into how and if we need to control for that.

indigo (Indigofera tinctoria to be specific): a legume, sometimes grown as a cover crop?? we could use one of those. this is apparently a tropical plant but a nonprofit has managed to grow it in Point Reyes, so we might be okay.

madder: Red tones. Originally mediterranean, but a slow grower, and spreads by rhizomes, so might not be worthwhile for a small area

coreopsis (this blogger managed an orange that was practically neon)

marigolds: mostly seems to produce a lemon yellow. Still, marigolds are super easy to grow, and I’m planting them anyway (classic companion plant) so we might as well.

avocado: you can use avocado skins and pits to produce a pink or peach colored dye. And we’ve already got an avocado tree, assuming it produces next year.

black walnut: we don’t have an actual walnut tree, but there is one nearby, and the nuts are constantly going ungathered, being kicked around by pedestrians. And it seems like we’d only need a small amount, since anyone who’s ever handled an unhulled black walnut can tell you that they’re a pretty concentrated dyeing agent, whether you like it or not. End color seems to be a chocolatey brown.

I am not really a knitter, so I know nothing about this, but I am excited to learn, and to experience weird small-batch custom yarns, dyed with regeneratively-farmed hyper-local plant-based ingredients (aka just some plant I picked up near my house).

[mermazeablaze]

ChipDrop is a great resource! But please know they send the mulch in a 20cubic dump truck & literally dump it in your yard for you to figure out how to use. They also deliver large logs (for firewood) sometimes even the entire felled tree & you have to cut/chop it yourself.

hi!! i know you probbaly get this question a lot because of how popular your post is lol, but i had a question regarding soil compaction. the soil in my yard is similar to how you described yours; extremely compacted, bends shovels. how did you go about dealing with it/restoring soil health? i know thats a super broad question but if you have any tips i'd love to hear them. thank you so much for your time :3

Mulch

Mulch

More mulch

I cannot overstate the 'mulch' part enough, really. Whatever works that you can get for cheap. Grass clippings, leaves, sign up for Chip Drop ( a service where tree trimming companies can dump wood chips on your yard for free for you to use as mulch)

Lay down a layer of damp newspaper or cardboard...amazon boxes with the tape stripped off work...and cover it with a real good thick layer of mulch.

Then you wait. Apply more mulch as it rots down. Won't hurt to throw down some blood and bone meal. A layer of compost between layers of mulch won't hurt a bit.

But aside from that, the biggest thing is time. You let the soil microbes and worms and things do their thing. They'll do the real work, so long as you feed them with all that lovely organic matter you just gave them to eat (the mulch) and maybe water a bit if it's dry now and then. Give it a year, and you'll be astounded.

After that, keep spreading mulch. It'll keep weeds down and retain moisture and keep feeding your soil.

For the part you leave lawn, don't bag your grass clippings. Leave them where they fall. Don't rake your leaves. Just run the mower over them when you mow. Don't mow your grass too short. (I realize some places have regulations about grass length, which is annoying, but don't mow your lawn super short.)