Chop and drop

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Bluejayway, Mar 27, 2025.

  1. Bluejayway

    Bluejayway Plantaholic

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2024
    Messages:
    1,758
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    North Wales
    Ratings:
    +7,767
    I read a mag article the other day which said that chop and drop is suddenly very popular. I’ve been doing this for years, how about you?
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 25, 2013
      Messages:
      7,068
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
      Ratings:
      +17,158
      Not for that many years, just since I realised what a waste of time and green or woody material it was to be carting prunings to bonfire heap or compost bin. Being ever-short of mulching materials, it makes sense to use what is available. Exceptions are annual weeds and rose prunings. It helps having wide borders, though, so the front and back edges get the more decorative mulch. The downside is that it provides a haven for slugs and snails.
       
      • Like Like x 3
      • Butterfly6

        Butterfly6 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 14, 2024
        Messages:
        1,038
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Keeping busy
        Location:
        Birmingham, top of a hill facing East
        Ratings:
        +2,474
        I have always done a bit of chop and drop, certainly when deadheading and tidying bits and bobs in summer. We also have some deep borders so I can hide a multitude of bits at the back. Am now doing it more systematically or maybe deliberately would be a better word. We’re trying to compost everything at home so a lot of the debris from our spring tidy up have been chopped and dropped.
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • JennyJB

          JennyJB Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 13, 2024
          Messages:
          1,703
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Doncaster, South Yorkshire
          Ratings:
          +6,044
          I don't drop weeds (they can re-grow) or big/long/thick stems, prunings etc but little twiggy sticks, fallen leaves etc in the borders get left.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            56,456
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +110,192
            Never heard of it, cough and drop was quite the in thing when I was at school.:biggrin:

            But it sounds painful.:sad:
             
            • Funny Funny x 5
            • infradig

              infradig Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Apr 28, 2022
              Messages:
              1,633
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Freelance self preservationist
              Location:
              Solent
              Ratings:
              +1,961
              Yes, the shrubby areas at infradig at home get this treatment including thorny* things, via the shredder. Tend to leave the pile to 'mature' prior to spreading; effectively a walking compost heap.
              *not the berberis or pyracanthra but includes rose prunings when green and soft
               
              • Like Like x 2
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice