mulch
Sign in to savethumb|right|Bark chips applied as mulch A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth, and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.
Article
23 sectionsContents
- Uses
- Materials
- Organic mulches
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Peat moss
- Wood chips
- Bark chips
- Straw mulch / field hay / salt hay
- Pine straw
- Biodegradable mulch
- Cardboard / newspaper
- Synthetic
- Rubber
- Plastics
- Polypropylene and polyethylene mulch
- Colored mulch
- Anaerobic (sour) mulch
- Groundcovers (living mulches)
- On-site production
- See also
- References
- External links
thumb|right|Bark chips applied as mulch A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth, and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.
Mulch is usually, but not exclusively, organic in nature. It may be permanent (e.g. plastic sheeting) or temporary (e.g. bark chips). It may be applied to bare soil or around existing plants. Mulches of manure and compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms. The process is used both in commercial crop production and in gardening, and when applied correctly, can improve soil productivity.