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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