Mulching tips to retain soil moisture: It is very important to maintain soil moisture for good gardening or farming. Especially when the weather is hot and dry. Mulching can be the best option to keep moisture in the soil. By doing this, not only the soil can be protected from drying, but the growth of plants will also be properly. However, this method is not new for horticulture enthusiasts, but still you have to adopt some easy ways. By doing this you can get to see the benefits soon. Now the question is, what does mulching mean? What are the benefits of doing mulching? What are the things required in mulching? What is the correct way of mulching? Let’s know about this-
What is the meaning of mulching
Cover the upper surface of the soil with a layer. This layer can be of biological (made of plants) or inorganic (plastic, stone etc.) of anything. It maintains moisture in soil for a long time, balances temperature and does not allow weeds to flourish.
What are the benefits of doing mulching
– Water dries quickly in summer. But when the soil is covered, the evaporation of water from the top surface decreases, which keeps the plants moist for a long time.
– When the layer is laid on the soil, weeds do not get the necessary lights to grow. This makes them suppressed and does not compete with water and nutrients with plants.
– Mulching does not make the soil too hot or cold. This keeps the roots of plants safe and improves them.
-If you use organic mulch, such as dry leaves or compost, then they slowly make it more fertile.
– Mulching makes the garden or farm look organized and beautiful. Especially if you apply colorful mulch or pieces of wood.
The right way to do multic
– Wet the soil well before applying mulch. This ensures that moisture is already present in the land.
– The layer of mulch should be about 2 to 4 inches thick. This will also keep moisture and the flow of air will also remain.
– Do not apply by sticking to the stems of mulch plants. This increases the risk of rot.
– Clean the ground before mulching. If the weeds present in the ground remain there, then they can also flourish under the mulch.
-If your area is very hot, then pieces of wood or bark will be better because they break slowly and keep the moisture for a long time.
– Mulch rotates or freezes over time. In such a situation, it is important to keep putting new layers from time to time.
What things to use in mulching?
- Biological options: Dry grass, straw, wood peeling, leaves, compost
- Inorganic options: plastic sheets, pebbles, perlights, vermiculite
- If you want to increase the water retention capacity in the soil, then the perlite and the vermiculite
- Like use elements. They absorb water and slowly transport it to the roots.
