Question

Q. What is mulching and what are the benefits of mulching?

Answer 1

Answer:

Amulchis a layer of material applied to the surface of an area ofsoil. Its purpose is any or all of the following:

to conserve moisture

to improve the fertility and health of the soil

to reduceweedgrowth

to enhance the visual appeal of the area

A mulch is usually but not exclusively organic in nature. It may be permanent (e.g. plastic sheeting) or temporary (e.g. bark chips). It may be applied to bare soil, or around existing plants. Mulches of manure or compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms. The process is used both in commercial crop production and in gardening, and when applied correctly can dramatically improve soil productivity.

Answer 2

☯ AnSwEr :

Mulch is material that you spread over the ground as a cover. Mulch can be either organic, or inorganic. Mulching is what you’re doing when you spread it over the ground.There are two basic kinds of mulch: organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include formerly living material such as chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, pine needles, and even paper. Inorganic mulches include black plastic.

Both types discourage weeds, but organic mulches also improve the soil as they decompose. Inorganic mulches don't break down and enrich the soil, but under certain circumstances they're the mulch of choice. For example, black plastic warms the soil and radiates heat during the night, keeping heat-loving vegetables such as eggplant and cherry tomatoes cozy and vigorous.

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★ Benefits of mulching are :

• Mulching is essential to the survival of your landscape during a drought. Mulch will reduce the amount of water that evaporates from your soil, greatly reducing your need to water your plants.

• Mulch improves the quality of your soil by breaking up clay and allowing better water and air movement through the soil. Mulch provides nutrients to sandy soil and improves its ability to hold water.

• Mulch acts as an insulating layer on top of soil, keeping it cooler in the summer.

• Mulch keeps weeds down, and the weeds that do grow are.

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