The mulching

In these times of drought, the key word is... MULCHING!

Sun, intense heat and wind can cause damage to plants. To help reduce this damage, it’s a good idea not to leave the soil bare around your plants—and to mulch instead.

With what ?

Mineral mulch:

• Slate

• Pebbles

• Clay beads

• Volcanic rock (pouzzolane)

• Gravel

• Shale

• Sand

Advantages: keeps soil cool, decorative, suppresses weeds, supports biodiversity. Watch out: does not enrich the soil.

Organic mulch:

• Wood chips

• Straw and hay

• Grass clippings (max 5 cm thick)

• Compost

• Dead leaves

• Biodegradable organic mulching fabric (hemp, flax, or jute)

• Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW)

• Hemp and flax shavings, etc.

Advantages: preserves soil moisture, limits evaporation, reduces watering needs, protects against erosion, fertilizes and nourishes the soil, promotes biodiversity and suppresses weed growth.

Caution: garlic, onions and shallots do not like mulch!

Image source: Sustainable Habitat Blog

Mulching is a technical intervention whose subtleties must be understood—done improperly, it can lead to soil structure breakdown with direct effects on your plants. Careful observation of your soil is therefore essential to choosing the right type of mulch.