At this experimental site, we wanted to explore and demonstrate to our local community how fleece can work as mulch, to improve soil properties and to protect plant roots from cold and wind in winter time.

Our biggest concern was how the wool would stay in place in windy weather (which we have plenty in Thurso), therefore we trialed laying wool in several ways:

• simply laying fleeces out

• tearing them into flakes

• laying fleeces and pinning them to the ground using metal pegs

• wrapping fleeces into bobbins and placing them tightly against each other and the walls of the raised bed, to create tension

• covering fleeces with netting

  We waited to assess the results till March 2025, after the winter was over.

  We are delighted to state that in all arrangements wool stayed in place, as can be seen from the before and after photos below. Natural felting kept fleeces compacted and remain in place, withstanding several storms that happened in the winter 2024-2025. Therefore, we can make a conclusion that our conservative ways of laying out the wool with some additional effort to keep it in place were not necessary.

  Spreading raw fleeces straight onto the ground gives great results for protecting the soil from winter cold and erosion, improves microbiome of soil and protects perennial plants, it any. In summer time, wool helps with weed control and balancing humidity levels - it soaks excess moisture and gives it away in drier periods. By biodegrading, wool slowly releases nutrients into the soil thus also acting as a fertilizer. If getting your wool directly from the farmer, consider asking for the offcuts of fleeces that remain after skirting. Such part of fleeces will contain sheep poo which will add nutrients to your soil.

  Most likely, such parts of the sheep fleece will not cost you anything, or will be very cheap, so you will also get yourself a bargain!