Method in Mulching.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20277, 11 April 1934, Page 9

Method in Mulching.

A Carden Corner

TWO important objects are gained by judicious mulching. One is to furnish plant food to the roots from the material washed down by rain. The other is to prevent moisture brought up from beneath by capillary attraction being dissipated by strong sun heat. The result, therefore, is that a cool root run is assured, together with supplies of nutriment. The thing to be avoided is packing on the mulch with too close or too dense a material. That is why straw’y stable manure is generally first favourite as a material, but any similar medium which allows air to penetrate to the soil will serve the purpose, because air and the warmth of the sun are also necessary to proper root action. Mulching is mostly a winter need, as the roots are then less active, and its decomposition places stores of plant food in the soil for future use. If put on during spring its goed effect is largely minimised by the consequent interception of the heat, which is so necessary and often dealt with too sparing a hand in the early season. After the temperature of the soil has} been raised, say, before midsummer, mulching again has strong claims. T. D. LENNIE.