Mulch is any material that covers the soil surface around plants. Organic materials most commonly used for mulching are leaves, grass clippings, newspaper, cardboard, pine straw, straw, sawdust, and wood shavings. Plastic sheeting is also commonly used.
Benefits of mulch:
1. Conserves soil moisture
2. Conserves nutrients
3. Reduces soil erosion
4. Reduces nematode damage
5. Reduces weed growth
6. Provides barrier between fruit and soil, reducing soil rot on fruit
7. Moderates soil temperature (organic materials tend to cool soil; plastic warms it)
8. When mulch materials (except plastic) decompose in place, they add texture and microorganisms to soil, increasing fertility
Plastic mulch should be removed at the end of the growing season. Organic materials may be removed and composted or incorporated into the garden soil. Take care in incorporating woody mulches such as sawdust and wood shavings, which are high in carbon and low in nitrogen. They should only be incorporated along with plenty of nitrogen-rich fertilizer (e.g., manure, blood meal, bat guano) to avoid the nitrogen deficiency that occurs when soil organisms break down high carbon materials.
