<tc>Mulching - save water and promote growth</tc>
Table of contents
Nature as a model - In places where nature is still untouched, plants always cover the ground with fallen leaves and branches. Years of observation and multiple samples to test the impressive nature of soil in nature have yielded interesting and helpful findings, which we present here.
Mulching is already well-known in the fields of sustainable gardening and permaculture. By reducing resources and maintenance work, it's also very attractive for all gardening beginners and hobbyists. Mulching can produce higher yields, but only if the basic principles are understood. Otherwise, many unexpected problems can go wrong. To avoid this, we've presented all the important information here:
Meaning and history of mulch
The term 'mulch' means: "unrotted, organic material".
A mulch layer is a layer of undecomposed plant remains up to 15 cm deep that covers the soil, making it both breathable and opaque. This layer is typically made from straw, hay, grass clippings, bark mulch, or wild herbs.
Mulching is a time-honored gardening practice that offers a variety of benefits and was already practiced in ancient times by the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs in plant cultivation.
Mulching is essentially a method of improving garden soil and promoting plant growth. In agriculture, this is referred to as 'promoting soil tillage,' which describes the ideal state of fertile soil.
The numerous advantages at a glance
- Moisture storage and distribution
- Nutrient supply
- Temperature regulation
- Weed suppression
- Feeds soil organisms
- Protects against washing away and erosion
- Protection against frost and drying out
- Creates habitats for insects
- Protects ground-level fruits from rot
- Saving fertilizer
- Saving water
- Creates a loose soil structure
As protection against the elements, mulch creates an insulating layer that cools in the summer, warms in the winter, protects against soil erosion, and provides nutrients to soil organisms. This can extend the growing season of crops. It provides a soft and clean surface for fruits that ripen close to the ground, preventing mold growth.
Richtig angewendet kann die Mulchschicht bis zu 80% der Wasserverdunstung mindern und erzeugt eine gleichbleibende Feuchtigkeit unter der Schicht, was viele Nutzpflanzen benötigen um gute Erträge zu erzielen.
Eine Mulchschicht dient, neben der Temperaturregulierung, auch als Schutz bei Starkregen um die Bodenerosion, wie das Wegschwemmen der Erde zu reduzieren.
Durch die Lichtundurchlässige Schicht können die meisten Wildpflanzen nicht hindurch wachsen, was unerwünschte Unkräuter erheblich unterdrückt.
Auch zur Verbesserung der Fruchtbarkeit trägt die langsam verrottende Mulchschicht bei, weil Mikroorganismen das Material umwandeln und darin enthaltene Nährstoffe für die Pflanzen kontinuierlich verfügbar machen.
Durch die Arbeit der Bodenlebewesen entsteht zusätzlich ein luftiger und lockerer Boden der den Pflanzen eine optimale Sauerstoffversorgung ermöglicht.
Insekten und andere hilfreiche Kleinlebewesen finden in der Teils feuchten und trocknen Mulchschicht ein zu Hause und können sich dort vermehren um das Gleichgewicht aufrechtzuerhalten.
The right mulch material - In the right place at the right time
If mulching is not applied correctly, the effect can be limited or even detrimental. Choosing the right mulch material is crucial; it determines the pH value and the carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio).
Materials used for mulching have different ingredients and therefore different properties. Here we provide an overview of the materials and examples of what to look for with each of them:
- Straw
- Hay
- Grass clippings
- Bark mulch
- Wild herbs
Straw has a coarse structure and is ideal for easily creating a thick, closed, airy, and fast-drying mulch layer. Although straw contains a lot of carbon, it contains very little nitrogen. As a result, the microorganisms require additional nutrients from the soil to decompose the straw, which ultimately becomes unavailable to the plants.
Things to consider when using:
If straw or a similar material is chosen, proper soil preparation with animal manure or slow-release fertilizer is necessary. If necessary, later application of liquid fertilizer is advisable, which will become noticeable over time due to the yellowing of the leaves.
Hay is finer than straw and is therefore easier to lay, moving the layer in place, and covering the soil. Hay also contains little nitrogen and is therefore treated like straw. Additionally, hay often contains a lot of seeds, which are unfavorable for the growth of new weeds.
Things to consider when using:
To use hay, I recommend moistening the material and allowing it to dry out again after 7 days of continuous moisture. This allows the hay seeds to be sterilized to prevent additional weed pressure.
Grass clippings are finely textured and ideal for composting due to their high nitrogen content and ease of spreading, as well as their ability to cover the soil. They are perfect for composting. Besides these advantages, grass clippings are prone to mold growth in humid environments and can impair the oxygen supply to the soil.
Things to consider when using:
When using grass clippings, the mulch layer needs to be loosened occasionally to allow more oxygen to reach the soil, which is important after rainy days. The timing of use is also important to prevent mold growth in persistently humid conditions. In temperate climates, I recommend only covering the soil lightly with mulch in spring and fall.
Bark mulch usually consists of larger wood pieces, is easy to spread, and reliably covers the soil. This long-lasting material decomposes more slowly through microorganisms and therefore, similar to straw, requires more nitrogen from the soil. Additionally, bark mulch lowers the soil pH by releasing tannins; this is not a problem for plants that prefer acidic soils. Plants that prefer alkaline soils can react sensitively, which can be seen in the yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis).
Things to consider when using:
If bark mulch is your choice, pay close attention to the pH level. Liming the soil may be necessary for some plants. I advise against using bark mulch for young plants and plants that prefer alkaline soils, as the tannins it contains can damage them.
Wild herbs have a medium-fine structure and are easy to place between plants, reliably covering the soil and providing breathability. They also provide valuable nutrients that are readily consumed by all living creatures. Besides their excellent availability, they have the disadvantage that seeds may fall onto the bed, or robust plants may re-root in high moisture.
Things to consider when using:
When using wild herbs, make sure you only use herbs that have not yet produced viable seeds. I do not recommend using robust herbs that are at risk of regrowing.
Other important factors to consider
Prolonged moisture not only increases mold growth but also attracts more slugs. Each type of mulch material also affects the pH level; consider whether your plants require a specific pH level. You can find the correct pH value for each plant in the product description for each variety on our website.
Summary - What needs to be considered when mulching
- After fertilizing with unfavorable material (C/N ratio)
- pH value for sensitive plants
- Permanent moisture promotes mold growth and snail infestation
- Soil cultivation is no longer possible afterwards
Many organic materials can be used for mulching and serve their purpose. Prioritize using garden waste and what is available in abundance.
The timing of mulching depends on environmental conditions. In subtropical climates, ideally, beds should always be mulched immediately after preparing the soil to prevent it from drying out. In temperate climates, mulching depends on weather conditions.
The practice – How mulch is distributed
To ensure the mulch remains stable on the beds and demonstrates its benefits, a certain simple technique is necessary. The basic idea is that the mulch forms a closed carpet. To achieve this, the individual pieces are pushed together after the mulch has been placed. The individual mulch pieces then form a large, stable covering of the soil. Additionally, the applied layer of mulch can be moistened with water so that the loose material settles under its weight and takes on the shape of the bed.
The thickness of the mulch layer is usually 5-15 cm and is selected according to the climate and weather conditions. A thicker layer decomposes more slowly and retains more moisture, while a thinner layer can dry out more quickly and decomposes more quickly.
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