Mulching is a method to cover the soil while growing the crop. Various materials are used as mulch to cover the soil like straw, plastic, leaves, wood chips, sawdust, newspaper, cardboard, etc.

Crops like capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, chilli, okra, tomato, brinjal, potato, pomegranate, papaya, lemon, guava, banana and apricot show better results with mulching.

Source- Pixabay.com

BENEFITS OF MULCHING

A freshly laid mulch helps both the soil and the plant in numerous ways.

• It helps to retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation
• Helps in controlling weeds by prohibiting the sunlight to reach the ground directly
• Organic mulch helps to improve soil nutrition
• Mulching controls soil erosion by acting as a barrier between soil and wind/ running water
• Mulching helps to regulate temperature by absorbing or reflecting the sunlight based on the mulching material used
• Organic mulch helps in water conservation by reducing the run-off and increasing absorption of water by soaking the water into the soil
• Mulching Prevents leaching of fertilisers
• A freshly laid mulch Prevents the spread of pests and diseases and reduces the use of pesticides