Most gardeners screw how usefulmulchcan be for bound weed growth and reducing irrigation need . But , we tend to think of mulch as non - surviving materials . stalk , leaves , shredded bark , wood Saratoga chip , compost and the similar all make fantastic mulch , but another option offers a whole host of extra benefits to your garden : living mulches .
What Are Living Mulches?
A living mulch is a low - growing plant that ’s planted with the purpose of limiting pot competition around harvest plant life , sheltering the grime , reducing desiccation and corroding , and stabilizing the dirt ’s temperature — many of the same traits found in the non - surviving mulch listed above . These plant are planted around , between and beneath harvestable crops when the crop are not yet matured . Living mulches are much like cover craw , except they ’re used when the fields are active , instead of after the crops have been force or during the sleeping season . Living mulch offer many added benefit beyond those of traditional mulches .
The Benefits of Living Mulches
In addition to the items mentioned above , living mulch also often increase populations of pollinators and otherbeneficial insects , particularly if they ’re capable of put up pollen , ambrosia and habitat to these insects . Several studies have picture that incorporate sure living mulches into your farm design will increase pest depredation rates and pollinator diversity .
In addition , depend on the species of plant you choose for your living mulch , these plants can also amend dirt health . At the end of the growing season , or at the starting time of the subsequent one , the mulches are till into the soil , supply food and constitutional affair as they decompose .
Where to Use Living Mulches
While not just any plant will act as a right aliveness mulch , there is a wide selection of plants that will . Seeds of these live mulch plant are seed into the soil around freshly engraft transplant or in between crop rows . They ’re specially effective when used beneath taller , erect crops , such as tomatoes and peppers , or beneath crop that are trellis , such aspole bean , vertically grown cucumber and the like .
Living mulches can also be an good instrument in vineyard and orchards , where one or several metal money of plant are used as an under - planting beneath the vines and trees .
Living mulches can consist of a single plant coinage or several unlike industrial plant sowed into the field around crops together , to form a matrix on top of the grime .
What Are Some of the Best Living Mulch Plants?
Though gardener have many option when it comes to living mulch plants , most discover their front-runner after a season or two of tribulation and error . Here are some specie and effective way to practice them :
Annual clover : Annual clovers , such asCrimson clover(pictured above ) , Berseem clover and resurrect clover , make great living mulches , particularly around cool - time of year crop . When using annual clovers , be certain to mow the plant before they set seed in the tardy summer or fall .
lucerne : This penis of the legume family also makes a cracking living mulch , but it ’s perennial nature in warm climate have in mind you ’ll have to twist it deeply into the soil each season . In the Union , it ’s often winterkilled . It works great in pumpkin , melon and winter squash speckle , as well as between orchard and vineyard row .
Annual Rye Grass : Often used as a cover crop , annual rye whisky also works as a dwell mulch , if you ’re able-bodied to contain its growth with an casual mowing . Do n’t sow the seeds too thick , and do n’t allow the plants to set seed . When you mow , let the trimming consist in the garden for added ground covering .
Lacy Phacelia : This flowering annual is ranking for support bees and other pollinator . It work great around taller crops , but be indisputable to trim off and collect the seed heads before they throw off seed in the later summer .
Vine Crops : Another alternative living mulch is one that can also be harvest . Petite - leaved vine crop , such as gourds , mini Cucurbita pepo , cucumber , sweet potatoesand others can be planted beneath other crops and leave to ramble across the filth beneath them . The vines aid shadow the soil and behave as a mulch . Plus , you ’ll get to enjoy the rewards of this living mulch , too .
Be Aware of These Things When Using a Living Mulch
As with most thing , there are a few downsides to using a hold out mulch .
1 . Competition : Though livelihood mulches can serve thin out competition from pot , they can themselves produce added competition for craw plants . Keep them on a regular basis mow , if necessary , and make certain they do n’t restrict atmosphere and water movement around your plant .
2 . Smothering : Don’t use life mulches around very shallow - root plants , such as blueberries . A dense stand of living mulch around these plants could cut back root maturation .
3 . Overzealous Reseeding : Some type of living mulch reseed prolifically , if they ’re allowed to fully mature . As with screening crops , pay tending to the maturity of your bread and butter mulches and keep them mowed accordingly .
4 . Disease Encouragement : In some case , particularly during pixilated years , a stand of living mulch can restrict air movement around crops . This may encourage certain fungous pathogen so care should be taken to ensure the aliveness mulch do n’t crowd against harvest foliage .
