The Benefits of Mulch in the Garden
I seriously couldn’t imagine gardening without mulch. Even before transitioning to a no-dig garden, we mulched, mulched and mulched some more.
Why?
Well, first of all, because weeding is just no fun. And mulch is an amazing way to prevent weeds from sprouting, and reduces the need to spend time weeding.
We water when we first plant our tender seedlings, and when we direct sow seeds. But, unless we get a spell of really dry weather, we don’t do a lot of watering. That’s because mulching prevents the soil from drying out and conserves water.
And best of all, organic mulch encourages earthworms, and feeds the soil as it decomposes. If you want to grow healthy, nutrient-dense produce, building soil is the way to go.
Some good mulching materials include hay, chopped leaves, wood chips, grass clippings and newspaper. I sometimes even use rhubarb leaves.
Why Plastic Mulch in the Garden is a Poor Choice
Plastic Mulch is Expensive
There are a lot of good reasons to garden and one of them for many gardeners is that it helps to keep the cost of groceries down. Plastic mulch is expensive, especially because it needs to be replaced every few years at best.
On the other hand, most of the organic mulch that we use – like chopped leaves, wood chips, or hay – can be found for free or inexpensively. We have had good success finding free or inexpensive hay on Craigslist, and a local arborist drops off wood chips for free.
And while more mulch must be added yearly, it is adding value to the garden by building soil when it decomposes.
Plastic Mulch is Not Environmentally Responsible
Plastic, as we all know, is not biodegradable. Large amounts of plastic enter the landfill system, or end up as litter, or worse, in the ocean. We have a plastic problem, friends. Let’s not add to it by using plastic mulch.
The farming industry generates large volumes of plastic waste (200–300 lb/ac). While that volume isn’t generated by gardeners, why add to the problem?
Plastic is energy intensive to make, and is manufactured from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
Some plastics become brittle, causing them to break and remain in the soil or be scattered in the wind. Others tear, causing the same problems.
Plastic mulch must be removed at the end of the season, and some cases disposed of. It doesn’t always last more than one season.
Plastic Mulch Does Not Build Soil
This, to me, is the #1 reason not to use plastic mulch in the garden.
A healthy garden with nutrient-dense produce is impossible in a garden where soil is not being carefully built.
Mulch should break down and provide organic matter and nutrients to feed the soil. It should provide habitat for beneficial insects, earthworms, and beneficial fungus. It should turn to humus.
Michael Phillips, in his book Mycorrhizal Planet, goes so far as to say that plastic mulch in the garden kills soil, causing soil life to leave “in search of greener pastures”.
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil.
You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil!
And More . . .
While plastic mulch does help to hold moisture in the soil, new rain will run off. Drip irrigation is recommended with its use to ensure adequate moisture.
Plastic mulch increases soil temperature and this can help seeds to sprout faster and may even allow a gardener to plant a little earlier than usual. But the increased soil heat can also burn the roots of young plants. In addition, during very hot summers, there is the danger of foliage scorch.
Plastic mulch can be difficult to lay down, and requires anchoring.
In order to plant in plastic mulch, holes must be cut into the plastic. Weeds often emerge at the base of the plant in these holes and can be difficult to control.
Better Solutions
Yes, plastic mulch helps to suppress weeds. Yes, plastic mulch helps fruit to remain clean and disease-free. And yes, it helps to hold moisture in the soil. But all of that can be accomplished with other mulches that also build healthy garden soil.
There is nothing that plastic can do in the garden that other choices of mulch can’t do, but there is so much that organic mulches can do that plastic cannot.
You’ll get more ideas at my post, 10 Strategies for Organic Weed Control in Your Vegetable Garden.
More Organic Gardening Posts That You’ll Love
Using Wood Chip Mulch in a Vegetable Garden
Hay vs. Straw in the Garden: Which is Better?
10 Benefits of Using Alfalfa in Your Garden
The Ins and Outs of Using Manure in Your Garden
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil.
You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to learn more.
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Willow says
Hi Susan, So true! Plastic has its uses but it is NOT a good mulch resource. Nothing is worse than having plastic particles filtering through your lovely garden soil. Natural stuff all the way! I save all kinds of biodegradable materials throughout the year to use as mulch.
Steve Cupp says
The planet and I must say, my garden, will survive & thrive with plastic mulch.
I compost all my yard waste thru the spring/summer and use it each spring to spread over my garden before I till it over. (building the soil). Then apply the plastic mulch, punch the holes and plant my stuff.
You are not the only person on the planet who feels strongly about things.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Steve.
Tom Zeable says
I have used the same polymesh for over ten years. There is no waste there. Sheet plastic can break down, polymesh works great. I have amended the soil every few years, and can dig to my elbows by hand. The earthworms tell me the soul is healthy, they are the between the size of a pencil, or sharpie, and longer.
You stated plastic destroys the soil?
You glossed over a few benefits of plastic, but never made your case.
There will always be someone not using products correctly.
Someone will always cut corners.
…
Misinformation is poison. Do research, site reference, studies, show pictures…
If I could post pictures I would. I have information to share if you are interested.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Tom, thanks for stopping by. With the busy holiday weekend, I haven’t had time to be over here, so I apologize for my delay in replying. I tend to think that you are the exception to the rule in those using plastic in that you are careful about your soil. And most are using sheet plastic, not the polymesh that you mention. Polymesh and sheet plastic will prevent rain from watering your garden, so you will still have that hurdle, and will need to use irrigation. With a simple, natural method like lasagna gardening and natural mulch, there is no digging, little to no weeding, and except when plants are tender and young, or during very dry weather, no watering because of the water-holding ability of the organic material both in the soil and on top of it. In addition, there is both the manufacturing of plastic and the eventual disposal that is troubling. 🙂
Kristel Wiesner says
I once covered a pile of dirt with plastic to keep the weeds out until we had time to move the soil to create a new garden. It ended up sitting for a few years. When I finally moved the pile I had to fish out hundreds of pieces of plastic that had broken down. I had intended to use that soil to expand my vegetable garden, but in the end did not use it for growing food considering all the chemicals that could possibly be in it from the breakdown of plastic.
Mulchindia says
It is a very useful blog and very important information about Plastic Mulch.
Mulchindia says
It is a very useful blog and very important information about Mulch.