Thread by @tayebwa_cohen

FARMING LESSON!

MULCHING:
Mulching is the process of covering the soil surface around the plants with either organic or inorganic materials.

In this TWEET-THREAD, we are going to talk about MULCHING in details (Types, Importance and Rules of Mulching).

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TYPES OF MULCHES:
(a). ORGANIC MULCHES. These are formerly living material such as chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, pine needles, among others.

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ADVANTAGES OF USING ORGANIC MULCHES:
1. Organic mulches naturally add nutrients to the soil in the long term.
2. Increase soil nutrient levels for long-lasting plant health.
3. Organic mulches naturally add nutrients to the soil in the long term.

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4. Won't over-heat the garden.
5. Less expensive than inorganic mulches.
6. Stabilize eroded areas.
7. Invite beneficial microorganisms and earthworms.
8. Don't require skills to apply.

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DISADVANTAGES OF USING ORGANIC MULCHES:
- Require regular replacement.
- Some mulches such as compost and grass may contain weed seeds.
- Fresh wood mulches can temporarily deplete soil nitrogen levels.

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(b). INORGANIC MULCHES. These are synthetic or manufactured materials which include Black plastic, Black polythene, Reflective metallic mulch, Rubber mulch and geotextiles (landscape fabrics), among others.

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ADVANTAGES OF USING INORGANIC MULCHES:
1. Long-lasting.
2. Doesn’t include weed seeds.
3. They are versatile.

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DISADVANTAGES OF USING INORGANIC MULCHES:
- Inorganic mulches are expensive.
- Require skills to apply.
- Plastic sheeting can prevent the flow of air and water in the soil.

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IMPORTANCE OF MULCHING:
1. Increases the water holding capacity of the soil thus reducing the irrigation requirement of crop plants.
2. Mulching helps in maintaining soil temperature which is beneficial for overall crop growth by covering the soil surface.

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3. Protects the soil from wind and water erosion and reduces the compaction of soil.
4. Suppresses the weeds by reducing light penetration below the surface which acts as a barrier to the process of photosynthesis of weeds.

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5. Mulching helps in establishment of many vegetables and tree species especially in the nursery bed by adjusting the environment conditions to favour germination.
6. Mulching controls the spread of crop diseases by blocking the movements of disease vectors.

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7. Mulching reduces crop damage by pests especially those which move on the soil surface by blocking their movements.
8. Organic mulches such as straws and grasses improve soil fertility by adding nutrients after thier decomposition.

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9. Mulching reduces the cost of crop production since it reduces the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
10. Mulching increases crop yields. For example, straw mulches in a tomato garden prevents fruits from touching the ground hence reducing fruit rotting.

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RULES OF SUCCESSFUL MULCHING:
(i). Lay the mulch down on soil that is already weeded.
(ii). Lay down a thick-enough layer (2-3 inch layer) to discourage new weeds from coming up through it.
(iii). Use a clean mulches which don't contain weed seeds and crop pests.

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