REASONS WHY WE NEED TO MULCH Mulching is beneficial because it Conserves water, absorbs rainfall and irrigation water, preventing run-off and erosion. Minimises soil compaction during heavy rain, increases the water holding capacity of sandy soils. Reduces the competition from weeds, insulates the soil and root systems of plants against high temperature. Can provide a slow release source of nutrients, also provides habitat for beneficial micro-organisms, insect and spiders. WHICH MULCH TO USE Living mulch is the growing of ground covering plants. They protect the soil from erosion, reduce evaporation. Lucerne is one of the best mulch materials available. Lucerne provides most nutrients required for good plant growth, it contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Lucerne should be wet thoroughly prior to applying to the garden. Bedding straw can tend to contain a high proportion of seed. If you keep chickens feed the straw to them before use the chickens will pick out the seed before you use it on your garden. Sugarcane mulch does not contain some plant nutrients. Cane mulch is suitable for sloping gardens as it binds together. Cane is a good soil improver when mixed with gypsum it can help break up clay soils. Wood mulches do not add any nutrient to the soil, as wood mulches are high in carbon and low in nitrogen can have the opposite affect depleting the soil nitrogen through drawdown caused by high carbon content. The drawdown affect can be prevented by adding additional nitrogen to the product when using them in the garden, decomposed animal manure, poultry pellets may also be used to supplement nitrogen level Forest mulch is usually the least expensive. The mulch has an appealing natural look unfortunately the quality of the product varies.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 00:11:47 +0000
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