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- Reduced evaporation will cut your water bills, reduce your water consumption and prevent the leaching of nutrients. But you'll need to install drip irrigation systems under the plastic, since it won't let rain seep through.
www.gardeningknowhow.com/gardening-pros-cons/plastic-mulch-pros-and-cons-should-you-use-plastic-mulch
People also ask
Does plastic mulch reduce soil evaporation?
Why should you use plastic mulch?
Does plastic mulch hold water?
Does plastic mulch reduce weed growth?
Does mulch help retain moisture?
What are the benefits of plastic mulch vs inorganic mulch?
Sep 19, 2023 · Water conservation beneath the mulch also reduces water stress, improving the fruit’s quality. For example, in tomatoes, studies show this mulch promotes more flower clusters, earlier flowering, and less disease.
- What Is Plastic Mulch?
- 2 Basic Types of Plastic Mulching
- The Benefits of Using Plastic Mulching
- The Drawbacks of Using Plastic Mulch
Plastic mulch is considered as a type of inorganic mulch. This type of mulching utilizes polyethylene film to shield plants from the elements. It was in the 1950s when plastic mulching became popular among US growers. Plastic mulching was used in commercial berry and vegetable production. However, this method is now being adapted to home gardens to...
There are 2 basic types of plastic mulching: black polyethylene film and clear polyethylene. The black plastic film is ideal for eliminating weeds, warming up the soil during the cold season, as well as retaining the soil’s moisture. On the other hand, the clear plastic film works best for warming up the soil and encouraging faster growth early in ...
Improves Soil Structure
Using plastic mulching helps prevent soil from clumping together into a compacted mess. The material traps moisture and heat, which limits the loss of plant nutrients. Of all the mulching materials available on the market, plastic mulch is the most restrictive so it pairs well with a drip irrigation method. In addition, the plastic film discourages people and pets from walking into the area, which further enhances the structure of the soil.
Insulates the Soil
Most plants are temperature sensitive, vegetables, in particular, cannot stand the winter cold. One of the reasons why growers use mulch is to help the soil retain heat as the cold months set in. Inorganic mulch like plastic mulch warms up the soil up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Plastic mulching regulates the soil temperature evenly, insulating temperature sensitive plants during the cooler months. Fruit-bearing trees and tender perennials are more likely to break from their winter dormancy by u...
Effective Weed Control
Is your garden plagued by weeds? If you don’t get rid of weeds every day, they will take over the garden in no time at all. Daily weeding can be a taxing chore for most gardeners, especially growers with back problems. Plastic mulch suppresses weed growth effectively and it does so in a large expanse of space. When installed in the garden, plastic mulch prevents weeds from getting the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. When the weeds are deprived of sunlight, they die, which saves you the ha...
It’s not Eco-friendly
Unlike organic mulch, plastic mulch is not biodegradable. It doesn't break down completely so it ends up in landfills. Plastic products are derived from petroleum-based materials, which are not only costly to produce but also bad for the environment. Also, because the plastic mulch isn’t biodegradable, it has to be removed from commercial fields yearly, a practice that’s quite costly itself.
Hard to Dispose Of
The disposal of plastic mulch is problematic because 1) removal from fields requires specialized equipment and 2) plastic products are generally hard to dispose of. Unfortunately, most landfills require extra payment for plastic disposals, which adds to the overall cost of using plastic mulching.
Excessive Heat
While black plastic mulch warms up the soil effectively, altering the soil temperature isn’t advisable for all crops. Some crops are quite sensitive to soil temperature so warming up the soil may backfire, there is just no way to control the rising soil temperature. Black plastic mulching is only advisable to use for heat-loving vegetables like melons, tomatoes, peppers, and other summer crops. Never use black plastic mulch for growing cool-season crops, such as lettuce, peas, and tubers. Exc...
- Moisture Retention. All kinds of mulch can help hold water, but plastic mulch is one of the best since it does so evenly and consistently. You can water less often to keep your plants fully hydrated.
- Helps Soil Heat Up Faster. Plastic mulch insulates the soil. Vegetables, in particular, can be quite temperature-sensitive. Mulch can help the soil warm at a rate of 5°F (or more) faster.
- Improves Soil Texture. Plastic mulch can dramatically improve soil texture and structure. When you mulch, it makes it difficult for the soil to clump together and remain compact.
- Deters Some Pests. Some pests may be deterred by certain types of plastic mulch, particularly silver mulch. Although this effect isn’t uniform across all plants and all types of plastic mulch, it’s certainly worth trying!
Mar 14, 2024 · Reduced water consumption: Plastic mulch can help to reduce water consumption by reducing evaporation from the soil. Weed suppression: Plastic mulch can help to suppress weeds, which can save you time and energy on weeding.
Jul 29, 2019 · One of the beneficial effects of mulching is moisture retention. This is an invaluable practice when creating a water-wise landscape. In this section, we will discuss the ways mulch helps retain moisture and what mulches to avoid for moisture retention.
Mulching is generally used to save water, suppress weeds and improve the soil around plants but it also gives your garden a neat, tidy appearance and can reduce the amount of time spent on tasks such as watering and weeding.
