Planting in Mulch

Mulches of natural materials keep the soil damper, which can mean higher yields and less need to water. This method is quick and easy, and more effective than mulching around the plants after transplanting.

Reader Contribution by Pam Dawling
article image
by Adobestock/KorshunovDV

Spring planting in mulch helps control weeds, including reducing the need to weed as much. Few weeds will come up through a 4-inch layer of hay.

Advantages and Costs of Mulching

In spring we plant several crops into hay mulch to help control weeds, including reducing the “weed seed bank,” (the “deposit” of weed seeds in the soil that will grow in the future). “One year’s seeding, seven years weeding.” Few weeds other than perennial grasses will come up through a 4″ layer of hay. Mulches of natural materials keep the soil damper, which can mean higher yields and less need to water.

Organic mulches keep temperatures lower in summer, an advantage for cool-weather crops. (Plastic mulches raise soil temperature, an advantage for crops that like warm weather). To avoid cooling the soil when using organic mulches for warm weather crops, it is often best to wait for a month after planting out, remove one round of weeds, then roll out the mulch. Mulches also reduce rain splash, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

Organic mulches improve soil structure and add some organic matter. The earthworm count at the end of the season can be twice as high as under plastic mulch.plants growing in hay mulch

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368