How to Lay Biodegradable Plastic Mulch by Hand

Reader Contribution by Pam Dawling
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When we started using biodegradable plastic mulch, we had two people pushing the roll over the soil, while other people behind them shoveled soil onto the edges of the mulch. It was hard work, so we had to be feeling energetic. If we viewed it as a challenge, we rose to the occasion. The next year we invented a simple tool, a stick that goes inside the roll and has rope attached to its ends, so the roll can be pulled by someone standing upright. Much better than bending over pushing a roll down the row! One little issue was that the rope would sometimes get twisted round the ends of the stick. This year’s improvement is to have the rope attached to the ends of the stick with swivel clips. This allows us to unclip to take the roll off the stick, rather than struggle to untie the knotted rope!  We also threaded a piece of bicycle inner-tube over the rope to make a more comfortable handle.

The person pulling the roll is closely followed by two energetic “Forward Shovelers” with the task of dropping a shovelful of soil about every yard along each edge of the plastic. We don’t want to let the Puller get too far ahead, especially if it’s breezy! We need to “tack” the mulch safely down on the ground. 

Behind the Forward Shovelers are the Rear Shovelers, usually at least four of them. Today, one was taking the photos, and others have disappeared into the shade! So we don’t really have any good photos of this part.

It is perfectly possible to store a partial roll of biodegradable plastic mulch from one year to another. Important keys to success are to carefully wrap the roll of mulch to exclude light, and store it on end, fairly vertical. If you lay it flat, the layers of plastic could stick to each other and you wouldn’t be able to unroll it. You also need to keep rodents away, and protect the roll from sharp tools. If you need 4,00 feet per year, you could buy a roll every other year. This is generally a better deal than buying shorter pieces.

Where to Buy Biodegradable Plastic Mulch

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