A method of making a
landscaping mulch, using as its primary ingredient, spent stable
bedding which has its primary ingredient ripe de bois
softwood shavings. The result of the method is a
mulch, particularly for
landscaping applications, having a relatively high pH value, between 6.5 and 7.5, which is also useful for neutralizing the effects of
acid rain. The method involves the steps of mixing agricultural
manure in the range of 5%-25%,
softwood shavings from spent stable
bedding in an amount of greater than 60%, and when necessary, to augment carbon-to-
nitrogen ratios, other ancillary ingredients in an amount less than 25%; producing a result by the mixing of ingredients, which has a carbon-to-
nitrogen range from 100 to 200 parts of carbon to 1 part of
nitrogen. Thereafter, the mixed ingredients are used to form piles, which are then over-saturated with water. Thereafter, liquid is percolated through the mixed ingredients, which liquid is expressed from the bottom of the
pile by gravity. Thereafter, the
pile is resaturated with the expressed liquid, now rich in
tannin liquors, in order to provide a natural coloring agent for the material. Then the
water flow is halted in order to allow
biological activity to generate heat. Heat bakes-in the color and releases more tannins for extraction when liquid saturation is resumed. The foregoing process, beginning with resaturation, is repeated until the desired color is achieved.