what is mulching?

Answer 1

In agriculture and gardening, mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil, primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. A wide variety of natural and synthetic materials are used.

Shredded wood used as mulch. This type of mulch is often dyed to improve its appearance in the landscape.
Pine needles used as mulch. Also called "pinestraw" in the southern U.S.to adjust soil temperature by helping soil retain more heat in spring and fall, and by keeping soil cool and evening out temperature swings during hot and variable summer conditions
to control weeds by blocking the sunlight necessary for germination
to retain water by slowing evaporation
to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil through the gradual breakdown of the mulch material
to repel insects
to incrementally improve growing conditions by reflecting sunlight upwards to the plants, and by providing a clean, dry surface for ground-lying fruit such as squash and melons.
for erosion control - protects soil from rain and preserves moisture
for sediment control - slows runoff velocity
A variety of materials are used as mulch:

organic residues - grass clippings, leaves, hay, straw, sawdust, wood chips, shredded newspaper, cardboard, wool, etc. Many of these materials also act as a direct composting system. There are many differing opinions on what to use.
compost - This relies on fully composted material, where potential weed seed has been eliminated, or else the mulch will actually produce weed cover.
plastic mulch - Crops grow through slits or holes in thin plastic sheeting. This method is predominant in large-scale vegetable growing, with millions of acres cultivated under plastic mulch worldwide each year (disposal of plastic mulch is cited as an environmental problem).
organic sheet mulch - Various products developed as a biodegradable alternative to plastic mulch.
rock and gravel can also be used a mulch. In northern climates the heat retained by rocks will extend the growing season.
The way a particular organic mulch decomposes, and reacts to wetting by rain and dew, determine in great degree its effectiveness. Organic mulches can rot rapidly rather than slowly break down, and it can mat into a barrier that blocks water and air, both conditions that can be detrimental to crops.

Living mulch may also be considered a type of mulch, or as a mulch-like cover crop. This technique involves undersowing a main crop with a fast-growing cover crop that will provide weed suppression and other benefits associated with mulch.

Mulching is an important part of any no-dig gardening regime, such as practiced within permaculture systems-.

Answer 2

It is a technique of layering compostable materials directly on the soil. Usually done with just one layer at a time. Mulching builds soil, reduces the need for watering, provides shelter for soil organisms, drastically reduces weeding, and in wood chip mulches edible mushrooms can be grown. It is an important technique of no till and low labour gardening. Straw is relatively weed and seed free and just one bale will cover a dozens of square meters.

Answer 3

Mulching is taking organic waste like grass clippings or fallen leaves and reusing them.

A mulch can be put around a plant you have just watered to keep the moisture there. It can be put on garden paths so they don't get packed down from walking on them. It can be put over a tender plant to protect it over the winter. It will rot down and add nutrients over time so that plants grow better. It can be dug into soil to improve its texture.

Answer 4

mulch is basically wood chips and typically a fertilizer mixed in. When you "mulch" you spread it around your plants which will do the following:
1. Protect small plants from damage as the mulch is around their small stems
2. fertilize
3. reduce weeds

Answer 5

for my section, i think of rubber mulch could look unnatural and unsightly in a landcaping concern. timber mulch won't entice termites on your domicile!! in case you employ cedar mulch, it would repel many bugs. Plus, do no longer you have concrete blocks around your beginning? the different decision is to apply stone. It lasts longer, yet is a splash trickier to maintain wiped sparkling out considering leaves etc. do no longer mixture in like with mulch. the two way, be certain to place down panorama fabric first, till now putting the mulch/stone right down to assist sidestep weeds.

Answer 6

Mulching means a protective covering of organic material laid over the soil around plants to prevent erosion, retain moisture, and sometimes enrich the soil.

Answer 7

Mulch is any material placed over soil in the garden. It's designed to retain moisture, deter weeds and keep the soil from eroding.

Answer 8

In agriculture and gardening, mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil, primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. A wide variety of natural and synthetic materials are used.
Look up Mulch in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Mulch is used for various purposes:
Shredded wood used as mulch. This type of mulch is often dyed to improve its appearance in the landscape.
Enlarge
Shredded wood used as mulch. This type of mulch is often dyed to improve its appearance in the landscape.
Pine needles used as mulch. Also called "pinestraw" in the southern U.S.
Enlarge
Pine needles used as mulch. Also called "pinestraw" in the southern U.S.

* to adjust soil temperature by helping soil retain more heat in spring and fall, and by keeping soil cool and evening out temperature swings during hot and variable summer conditions
* to control weeds by blocking the sunlight necessary for germination
* to retain water by slowing evaporation
* to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil through the gradual breakdown of the mulch material
* to repel insects
* to incrementally improve growing conditions by reflecting sunlight upwards to the plants, and by providing a clean, dry surface for ground-lying fruit such as squash and melons.
* for erosion control - protects soil from rain and preserves moisture
* for sediment control - slows runoff velocity

A variety of materials are used as mulch:

Answer 9

soil covering: a protective covering of organic material laid over the soil around plants to prevent erosion, retain moisture, and sometimes enrich the soil

cover soil with mulch: to cover soil with mulch

Answer 10

It is cutting up the leaves and grass on your yard. They sell mulching blades or on some mowers you just close the side up and don't eject the grass out the side.