Using Laurel Mulch on Vegetable Beds

Hi All, I need your help. I was given a bag of shredded Laurel, and thinking it was Bay Laurel, I used it as a thin top mulch for my potatoes. I have since learned that the other Laurels are poisonous and I am concerned that a) the poison has seeped into my potatoes and b) I have poisoned the ground and hence future crops. I cannot seem to find a direct answer to these questions elsewhere so I would be very grateful of your advice. Many thanks in advance, Justine Owens

 

Hi @j.owens - I can't help you regarding the effect on your spuds, but if it hasn't been there long, and you can scrape it off, I'd think any damage would be very, very small. Hopefully someone else will be able to help properly though

I don't think I'd want to use standard [ie cherry] laurel leaves as a mulch for anything edible though, or for perennials, but it would be fine for any woody plants - shrubs/trees etc, especially if it's shredded as it will break down a bit more readily. Laurel takes a very long time to do that otherwise.

 

Hi, Thank you. I am seeking an answer to whether any poison produced by the Laurel can leach into the vegetables when Laurel mulch is laid on the bed. I used the material as a shortcut to build up the depth of soil around the potato plants. My garden is in Italy, and the ground gets like concrete so regular hoeing and digging is a bit of a nightmare. Unfortunately, I have now lifted the potatoes so the Laurel material is somewhat incorporated. If someone can give further advice that would be most appreciated, Thanks again.

 

Ah - that's a pity. Any other organic matter would have been better for raising the level! Compost or manure is the ideal, or even other soil brought in, but I don't know if that's possible there? We can buy it here which is easier.
I think it would also depend on the amount you used and the size of the rest of the bed etc.
If no one can give a definitive answer, it might be better to err on the cautious side, and leave the bed/potatoes for this year.

Did the person who gave you it not mention anything about using it? Perhaps you could ask them if they use it for edibles.

 

Thanks again. Yes, we can get other material but this was free and we do not have a lot of money - hence the veg patch. Sadly, no advice advice from the provider. That's why I am seeking everyone's input here.

 

I shredded a lot of this a couple of years ago, had a strong smell of almonds while I was shredding it.
Tbh I have no idea if veg can take up the poison, I assume cyanide, but again just assuming it would perhaps affect the growth of the veg.

I used it under tree and shrubs in a fresh state and there was no effect noticeable in growth.
The poison I again, assume, breaks down fairly quickly as the smell didn't last long.

 

Cherry laurel was once very popular as the base for an alcoholic liqueur type drink which was then drunk watered down. I believe in Britain it was seen as having medicinal benefits and often sold by chemists. It was made from the fruits. It was the cause of some poisonings when the medicinal liqueur wasn’t watered down.

I think you can still buy a liqueur

Given it had to be distilled from the fruit and drunk in high concentrations suggests that it would unlikely to be dangerous simply leaching into soil from decomposing leaves? But I’m not an expert so some advice here if you scroll down on using it as a mulch from the RHS Woody waste: using as a mulch / RHS Gardening

 

Hi Pete, yes, I have been reading that precautions should be taken when pruning and shredding. And that is what is confusing me. The same sites advise it can be composted safely. Other sites say that the HCN poison is reduced significantly by cooking. So, logically - all should be well. Ironically, the potatoes are great this year, but I think everyone here can understand my concern about potentially feeding poison to my family. The lack of an answer to this is driving me insane :-) Justine.

 

Hiya, thank you. I have read that article, Unfortunately, it only talks about the effects while shredding - not any onward effects. You would think the RHS would have put any onward effects into their article but absence is not evidence. The RHS membership is too expensive for me so I am hoping that someone here may have experience or knowledge that can help. Very many thanks again. Justine.

 

I think I'd forget the spuds for this year Justine. It simply isn't worth the risk to you and your family.
I totally understand gardening on a shoestring too, and it can be difficult when you want to grow your own food, but you need that initial input to make it happen, and it all costs money.

Is there a gardening club of any kind where you are? They might be able to offer advice, but more importantly - someone might offer you some other organic matter to help improve your soil!

 

I really appreciate the feedback. Gardening isn't really a thing where I am. Most folks have an "orto" - veg patch - but only for beans, tomatoes, chillies, and peppers. It is only in the last couple of years that potatoes have found their way into the shops :-) It's quite different to how things are in the UK and elsewhere. I guess I am a bit tenacious - whilst totally getting that caution is the best policy, I would love to have an answer to this question :-)

 

Thanks, John. much appreciated. Laurels are also known to be super invasive, so perhaps they just took all the water for themselves? Justine :-)

 

I cut down a 20ft long hedge from 10ft high down to 3ft, then shredded and sawed up the larger stems.
I suffered no ill effects and I didn't wear gloves.
I think these things are often overstated these days.
I've even eaten greenish potatoes and still here.
But it has to be your decision on what to do with the potatoes.

 

Hi Pete, I agree with you - and definitely my call on what to do. I am just looking for anyone with direct experience of the situation and to have the benefit of their knowledge. Maybe I am the only one stupid enough to have done this :-) In which case - thankfully I am still here to learn :-) Justine.