What topics to research on experiment about type of mulch's affect on plant growth?

Question

I am doing a science fair project on how the type of mulch affects plant growth. What topics should I research, other than mulch? I don't know very much about plants, so I don't know what about plants I should research. Please help.

Answer 1

One issue w/mulch is whether it helps acidify soil. Pine needles are good to put around acid-loving plants, like azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and ferns. Another is temperature and water retention--black mulch will heat up soil a little in cold weather, but if you get that recycled rubber stuff, it might make the soil too hot in summer. Mulch generally helps in water retention and choking out weed growth (though many weeds just grow right through the crevices of the mulch.)

I'd say, get one kind of plant and several kinds of mulch. Try to go to a place that sells mulch by-the-scoop (loose, not in bags) or ask a landscaping place--you'll probably be able to get a few handfuls for free or at least cheap. You don't want to be stuck with bags and bags of different kinds of mulch. Make sure the plant either prefers acid or alkaline soil (ask at a nursery or check a book or something. Or ask a good gardener.) That way, you can put on pine needles and other types of mulch and see the difference it makes to have an acidifying mulch. What you probably want to study is: water retention (how often you need to water the plant. Poke it to see when it gets dried out and note how often each plant needs water.) Weed control: don't pull the weeds, just note how many grow and how big they get. Plant size: note how big each plant gets and if it gets any blooms, if it's a flowering plant. Plant condition: note color (like yellow leaves or weird stripes or brown spots), withering, plants dying back. You might not have enough time to note how the mulch rots (some rot quickly, but you'd need several months to track something like that.)

Check Southern Living magazine, or gardening mags from your area, especially if they have a website you can search. Also, check your County Agricultural Extension office (mine is in the courthouse in the county seat. Check the phone book.) Gardeners are often very generous and helpful and love talking about mulch with a willing audience (because a whole bunch of people don't want to hear about it.) You might find out a lot by talking to an expert gardener, and the Ag Extension office will probably know of Master Gardeners in your area. But just ask around, ask somebody with a nice yard with lots of mulch. Good luck--it sounds like a good project!

Answer 2

Type in mulch on web search.

I would say:
newspaper mulch
hay mulch
black plastic mulch
sawdust mulch
besides all the 'regular 'mulches made of tree bark.

I have used all the above and to tell the truth, all they all do is keep the weeds from growing and hold moisture on the ground so you can make it through the dry seasons without having to water so often.

Good luck with your assignment.
I know you will make an A!

Answer 3

I would research what different soils do what for the plant. There are optimal blends of soil for certain plants. I would also look up what other organisms help plants obtain the vital minerals they need to grow. For instance, there are bacteria that live in many plant roots that fixate nitrogen for them. Most land plants also have a symbiotic relationship with mycelium (a fungus) that allows the plant to take in more water and nutrients from the soil. I'm assuming you're going to use a plant with a very short generational cycle, like a radish or a mustard or something, so you may want to look into what animals or fungi usually parasatise them. That could be another subject of research. Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck.

Answer 4

You might try some gardening sites, or how to plant sites.
I do know that pine mulch will kill plants and if wood mulch is not "weathered" will kill plants. Also, if you put wood mulch next to your house you can get termites in your house. Good luck in your project.