What is mulching?
What is mulching?
A mulch is a layer of material added on the surface of soil where you are growing plants. Several types of mulching can be used. You can spread organic material like chips of bark or some other material like small stones or rubber pellets. Even aged compost and degradable plastic has been used as mulch. Cardboard and old newspaper can be used as semi-organic mulches.
Mulches can conserve soil moisture, reduce the growth of weeds and in certain cases improve the visual appeal. We have used mulching with shining white river stones in our garden with an excellent visual appeal. Mulching can stabilize soil temperature and moisture and prevent the growth of weeds from their seeds.
On the downside, a thick mulching can prevent water from light rains reaching the soil. Unduly thick mulching can reduce the oxygen level in the soil. Both of these could be harmful to plants. That is why some apply temporary mulching during some seasons and remove them after that and it goes on in a cyclical process.
About The Author
Johnson Francis
Trying to grow vegetables, fruit plants and garden plants in my city home with limited space and resources. I am not a horticulturist by profession. It is my hobby. Attempting a hard option of growing vegetables for family use, without using insecticides.