Drought Gardening by Sue Hakala

Author:Sue Hakala
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 1981-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

Mulching Materials

Mulch can be composed of organic or inorganic materials. Black plastic sheeting and aluminum foil are two common inorganic mulches. Commonly used organic mulches include straw, hay, peat moss, leaves, pine needles, wood bark, and newspapers.

Many gardeners find that black plastic holds the heat in the soil, which speeds growth and subsequently yields better results in many warm-weather crops, such as melons, eggplants, peppers, and squash. Also, the plastic sheeting allows you to mulch close to the stem. But the plastic sheeting may cause excessive heat buildup, which can harm the plants. Likewise, aluminum foil can heat up the underside of plants, a positive effect in early spring, but detrimental in the heat of the summer.

Inorganic mulches add nothing to the soil. But organic mulches slowly decompose and add nitrogen, potassium, and other minor elements to the soil. At the end of the growing season, organic mulches can be tilled into the soil along with other garden residues, adding humus and improving the water-retaining qualities of the soil. For these reasons, we recommend the use of organic mulches.

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