L.]) 5ft,SS f/?01 NJ11S<j
I~ .3:il, ~- z
vir~inia home food production FACT SHEET ' . .t'.l. & S.J ......
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE
Reprinted January 1981
MULCHES FOR THE HOME GARDEN
Mulching is a practice every home gardener should consider. Mulches reduce weed growth, maintain uni-form moisture conditions, can fav-orably modify soil temperatures (depend i ng on material), reduce erosion, reduce water loss and water requirements, reduce splash of soils and spread of disease, keep fruiting parts cleaner, re-duce nutrient loss and fertilizer requirements, add humus for more workable soil, and add organic matter to the soil when organic materials are turned under,
Mulching involves covering the soil around plants with protective mat-erial. Mulches can be either organic or inorganic (see attached table),
Most organic mulches should be appli-ed after plants are well established -4 to 6 inches tall. Cultivate out all weeds before mulching. Spread material evenly between plants to a depth of 1 to 6 inches, depending on the type of material and avail-ability. (See table on Mulching Materials.)
1Reprinted with permission from Ortho Books "All About Vegetables" Copyright@ 19.73. Chevron Chemical Company.
Apply organic mulches when there is reasonably good soil moisture and just before the weather turns hot in the summer, Putting down mulch on dry ground may slow down infiltration of rain water as the mulch tends to absorb moisture.
Inorganic mulches such as black plastic and paper mulches are applied prior to planting, Black plastic and other f ilmlike materials should be applied on land that has been complete~y pre-pared for planting and has a high moisture level. Place material over the row to be planted, then bury the edges to prevent it from blowing away. Cut slits for seeds or trans-plants. A few additional slits can be made to allow rain water to in-filtrate.
The following table shows how much saw-dust or similar organic material is needed to cover 100 sq. ft. to various depths.
Depth (") 6 4 3 2 1 1/4 1/8
To cover 100 Sq. Ft. 2 cu. yds. 35 cu. ft. 1 cu. yd. 18 cu. ft. 9 cu. ft. 2 cu. ft. 1 cu. ft.
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (a box 3'x3'x3')
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Programs, activities, and employment opportunities are available to all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or political affiliation.
An Equal Opportunity1Affirmative Action Employer
Issued in furtherance of CooPt;rative Extension work , Acts of May Rand June 30, 1914, and September 30, 1977, in cooperation with the U.S. f!epartf!lent of Agriculture: W .. R. Yan Dresser, 9.ea!1·. Extension Division. Cooperative Extension Service, Virginia Polytechnic institute and State Univers1t~· . Blacksburg, \. _1rgm.ia 24061: M. C. Harding, Sr., Administrator, 1890 Extension
Pwgram. V1rg1n1a State llnivers1ty, Petersburg. Virginia 23803.
Materials
ORGANIC MULCHES
Barks Fir Pine Shreaded Tan
Compost Corncobs, ground Grass clippings
Hay or Straw
Hulls Buckwheat Cocoa Peanut
Leaves
Peat Moss Horticulture-grade
Chunky
Pine Needles
Wood Sawdust
Chips Fiber
Mulching Materials
Depth Weed Rate of In Inches Control Decomposition
2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3
2-3 3-4 2
3-4
3-4 3-4 2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2
2 2
b b b a
c c b
b
c c b
b
c
b
b
b
b b
a Excellent b Good c Fair
slow slow medium medium
fast fast fast
fast
medium medium medium
fast
medium
medium
slow
medium
slow medium
Comments
(As much as -10°F to soil temperatures)
stays in place stays in place stays in place stays in place
improves soil easily blown forms a mat, crusts, don't use crabgrass seeds, avoid weed seed heads, and 2,4-D sprayed materials
stays in place improves soil
easily blown easily blown stays in place
easily blown improves soil
slightly acid, forms a crust tends to move
stays in place slightly acid
may tie up soil N, add ~ lb. actual N per 10 cu. ft., old fermented sawdust may be acid forming -check pH
stays in place tends to crust
Materials
INORGANIC MULCHES
Gravel
Marble chips
Sand
FILMS
Black Plastic
Clear Plastic
Paper Newspaper
Mulching Paper
Aluminum coated plastic & foil
Mulching Materials (Cont.)
Depth in Inches
1
1
1
1 layer
1 layer
2 layers
1 layer
1 layer
Weed Control
c
c
c
a
c- (poor)
b
a
a
a Excellent b Good c = Fair
Rate of Decomposition
none
none
none
very slow
very slow
fas~
slow
very slow
Prepared by: A. McDaniel, B. Adler, P.D. Relf
Comments
permanent
not re-commended for acid-loving plants subject to erosion
good for vegetables, secure edges, (+8°F to soil temp.)
same (+10°F to soil temp.)
cover with organic mulch
same (-8°F to soil temp.)
secure edges (-10°F to soil temp.)
USING BLACK PLASTIC MULCH
For Seeded Rows
Lay Before Planting
Bury edges of plastic
For Transplants
Continuous Sheet Over Planting Area
Cuts in plastic to let water in
Hole cut for transplant
... or ...
... or ...
Lay After Planting
Bent wire hooks to hold plastic edges
Strips Over Rows With Organic Mulch
Organic mulch between strips
Bury edges of plastic