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How to Choose Best Plastic Mulch for Your Garden: Tips and Benefits

How to Choose Best Plastic Mulch for Your Garden: Tips and Benefits

Plastic mulch is a valuable tool for gardeners, offering benefits like weed suppression, moisture retention, and improved soil temperature. This guide will help you choose the best plastic mulch for your garden based on factors like climate, crop type, and sustainability preferences.

best plastic mulch for gardens

Description

It is not a new trend to use plastic mulch. Farmers have been using it for decades. But now it is finding its way into home gardens. There are various benefits of plastic mulch. It increases crop yields. Mulching covers the soil with a porous material. It improves the soil and helps plants grow. This process builds a cover around the plant root. It makes conditions better for growth. Mulch is a material laid down that covers the upper layer of soil. Mulching may be done using organic mulching and synthetic materials. Plastic mulch is used in farming, lawns, and gardens. It prevents weeds, retains soil moisture, and warms the soil. Many gardeners see mulching as routine. Yet, there are a few things to know before choosing and spreading different mulches. Knowing which planting bed needs extra mulch will keep your plants healthy.

Is mulch good for gardens? A decision to use mulch for your garden is a great idea. You don't need to be a gardening expert. But you must know the basics of garden add-ons like mulch.

In this article, you'll learn about tips on finding the right mulch for your garden.

What is Plastic Mulch and How Does It Benefit Your Garden?

It is a thin synthetic film laid over garden soil. It creates a barrier that prevents weeds, holds moisture, and warms the soil. It lets you plant earlier and control environmental conditions without a greenhouse effect. It comes in many colors. But black and dark green are the most common. They absorb sunlight and warm the soil under them. White and light-colored films cool the bed by up to 20°F. This is very helpful for growing up in extra hot climates. It keeps the harvestable parts of crops, like strawberries and lettuce, cleaner. It also prevents soil splashing. Red plastic can promote early ripening and increase yields of tomatoes. This material is widely used on commercial farms. But it has lately become popular with gardeners and landscapers.

Mulch has two major types: organic and inorganic (mineral). Organic mulch is biodegradable. It consists of grass clippings, wood chips, dry leaves, and straws. Mineral mulch includes river rock, crushed stone or gravel. The inorganic group also comprises plastic mulch.

Plastic mulch has great benefits. But it must be disposed of properly. Otherwise, it can harm the environment. Plastic films use mulch which can raise environmental concerns. They are made from petroleum.

What is Mulch Made Of?

Plastic mulch is a synthetic subcaste that can be placed on top of the soil to enhance plant growth. It's substantially made of polyethylene or biodegradable plastics. But it also comes in other kinds for specific requirements. Some advantages of plastic mulch are retaining humidity, regulating temperature, and suppressing weeds.

Plastic mulch conserves soil humidity. It does not evaporate like other types. It is especially useful during the hot, dry season. It will also keep a stable soil temperature. It will warm the roots in the cold and cool them in the heat. Also, plastic mulch retards weed growth due to its blocking action against sunlight. Without sunlight, weeds will lose their energy and hence be weakened.

Another key difference is that plastic mulches do not break down. They will remain on the land for a veritably long time. Organic mulches, like wood chips, straw, and lawn parings, enrich the soil as they putrefy. But they will need constant replacement.

Different Types of Mulch

There are two basic kinds of mulch:

  • Organic: Organic mulches are made of once-living materials. They include chopped leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, pine needles, and paper.
  • Inorganic: Inorganic mulches include black plastic and geotextiles (landscape fabrics).

Both types of mulch discourage weeds. But organic mulches improve the soil as they break down. Inorganic mulches don't break down and enrich the soil. But they are not a bad choice for your garden. Proof: Black plastic, an inorganic mulch, heats the soil. It then radiates heat overnight, warming heat-loving veggies like eggplant and cherry tomatoes.

Here are some common types of mulch to choose from according to your need:

1. Shredded Leaves or Wood Chips
Shredded bark mulch, from a mix of cedars and others, is cheap and easy to find. Shredded bark works exceptionally well for slopes, because it breaks down slowly. Also, many shredded bark mulches are secondary products of other processes. So, they are very eco-friendly. Look at the bag for the label for this additional information. Shredded bark absorbs some nitrogen from the soil while it's putrefying. Adding a little bit of organic fertilizer can keep your shops healthy if your soil is poor.
You can buy bags of decorative wood chips or shredded bark at a local garden center. Use them to mulch your flower theater and shrub borders. However, rending the fallen leaves makes free mulch, if you have trees. It's nutrient-rich. You can use wood chips anywhere on your property. It looks best in flower beds, shrub borders, and garden paths. Wood chips aren't a good choice for vegetables and annual flower beds. They will get in the way as you dig the beds each year.

2. Grass Clippings 
These are great mulches for gardens with vegetables as it is very nitrous. In-home composting helps both Mother Earth and your garden. Grass clippings can be used as mulch. But most of your clippings should be used as a natural fertilizer. Use nitrogen-rich grass clippings as garden mulch.

3. Hay Or Straw
Straw mulch is golden and lovely in the garden. It will break down a bit slower compared to leaves or grass clippings. Some gardeners prefer smaller pieces, shredded straw, while others may prefer larger ones. Straw is classically used in utilitarian gardens, like vegetable gardens and around strawberries. Straw does a great job of keeping mud off of your edibles. Make sure the straw is free of weed seeds. Otherwise, it can cause more weeds than it prevents. (Oat straw is often particularly weedy.)
This will add some organic matter to your soil as it also helps retain its moisture. If you have a vegetable garden, top it off with some straw or salt hay or weed-free hay. It's clean-cut and crisp. But this mulch keeps the soil moist. It keeps out weeds, prevents pests, and adds organic matter as it breaks down. Use weed and seed-free hay. Avoid piling it around the stems of vegetable or fruit tree trunks to prevent slug and rodent damage.

4. Plastic Mulch 
This prevents the growth of weeds. Mulching a vegetable garden with sheets of black plastic film can do wonders. Black plastic, tightly spread over a smooth soil surface, transmits the sun's heat to the soil beneath. It creates a microclimate about three degrees warmer than an Un mulched garden. The warm, dry plastic film protects crops, like strawberries, melons, and cucumbers, from rotting. And, of course, mulch prevents weeds from growing and holds more soil moisture.

5. Compost 
Compost looks like soil, except it's darker, so it sets off plants nicely. This mulch material breaks down quickly but adds to your soil structure the most rapidly. Plus, it's the best mulch on a budget: you can create rich compost for free, even from grass clippings and leaves. Ensure your compost bin heats up enough to kill any weed seeds. Many municipalities give away compost as well. Test the compost in a corner of your garden for weed seeds before spreading it.
Give your compost another purpose: if you have extras, use as mulch. This will add nutrients to the soil and help the plants. But, when it dries, any kind of mulch is not good for plant roots. So, you may want to use your compost to spread a thin layer around plants. Then, top it with another mulch, like chopped leaves. It keeps the compost moist and active. This benefits your vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

6. Landscape fabric 
Geotextiles, or landscape fabrics, allow air and water to the soil below. They keep weeds from coming up. But there are some drawbacks. Geotextiles degrade over time when exposed to light. To make them last longer, cover them with a second mulch (they're ugly, so you'd want to, anyway). Similar to plastic mulch, keeps geotextiles away from shrubs. Weeds and shrub roots grow into the landscape fabric. You'll have to rip it to remove them.

You will know and be an expert at the details of mulching if you always do it frequently. Then, you can choose which type of plant is compatible with what kind of mulch.    

Types of Plastic Mulch

There are 2 main types of plastic mulching: black and clear polyethylene film. 

The polyethylene film used in this product has a variety of types. Each serves a specific purpose.

  • Black: The black plastic film is best for three things. It eliminates weeds, warms the soil in cold weather, and retains moisture.
  • Transparent: These films let sunlight reach the soil while simulating a small greenhouse. In this case, the main reason for using the film is to improve the growth rate in agricultural production. The clear plastic film warms the soil. It encourages faster growth early in the growing season. However, the clear plastic film does not suppress weeds well.
  • Color: Today, colored films are used for various purposes. Blue, silver, white, red, yellow, etc. film is used for one sort of agricultural product. For example, red mulch increases tomato yield by 20%.
  • Anti-UV: These films filter out sun's harmful rays and increase agricultural land's productivity. You can order these films from Poshan Plastic. They are made by adding special materials during polythene production.

Benefits of Using Plastic Mulch in Your Garden

It clearly offers many benefits to the modern gardener. It reduces weeds and allows for earlier harvests. Despite its synthetic (non-biodegradable) composition, it is eco-friendly in some regards. What is mulch used for? Let's Find out!

  • Water Retention: Plastic mulch is best for retaining water in plants. It does so evenly and systematically. You have to water less to keep them saturated. Plastic mulch is a little restrictive in methods of irrigation. A farmer could pair it with drip irrigation. This would ensure it held the right amount of water.
  • Maintain soil temperature: It warms the soil. Mulch regulates it, too. It warms the soil by helping it hold heat in cold weather. Most plants are sensitive to temperature, especially vegetables, and cannot tolerate winter cold. Growers apply mulch to aid the soil in retaining heat as the cold months start. Inorganic mulch, such as plastic mulch, heats the soil by as much as 5°F (3°C). Plastic film regulates soil temperature and insulates plants in cold weather. It also protects fruits, trees and shrubs from winter damage.
  • Makes soil texture: Plastic mulch enhances the texture and structure of the soil. When you mulch, it becomes difficult for the soil to clump together and remain compact. It also traps heat and moisture, making it harder for plants to leach nutrients.
  • Protects Plant Roots: Plastic mulch can cover plant roots. Since the soil remains undisturbed, plant roots can grow and spread with ease. Using plastic mulch removes the need to cultivate continuously except between plastic rows. Since the soil is not disturbed, plant roots can grow deep and efficiently and extend into the ground. The fact is that cultivation is one of the main causes of root damage. But if your garden is prone to weeds, you have no choice but to cultivate the soil.
  • Suppresses weeds: Black plastic mulch blocks sunlight. This prevents weeds from photosynthesizing. So, you won't have to pull them by hand.
  • Barrier: When you lay down mulch, you create a barrier between your plants and the soil. This is especially important for leafy vegetables and fruit plants. It can prevent rot and the spread of disease.
  • Increased Yield: With plastic mulch, the growing rate of the products is accelerated. With plastic mulch, you can grow your crops early in the season. Mulching warms the soil. So, you can plant warm season crops up to three weeks early. This situation is not valid for organic mulches. Plastic mulch has a better effect on absorbing heat in the soil. The soil heats quickly and provides the best growing conditions for hot-season vegetables.
  • More high-quality products: Using plastic mulch is vital for good fruits and vegetables. The plastic film acts like a cover that saves the fruit from direct contact with the soil. Nylon prevents diseases and rot. Since the fruits don't touch the soil, they grow much cleaner.
  • Erosion control: Erosion is the action of wind and rain blowing or washing away your soil. This is a big problem for global soil degradation. But it is just as important in your backyard garden. After investing so much time and energy in your soil, you would want to keep it in place as much as possible. A plastic film holds the soil where it is and protects it from the harsh effects of the elements.

Using plastic mulch in the garden simply makes it look better. Perhaps there are fewer weeds around the plants or maybe the effect of the plastic around the plants is cleaner.

How to Choose the Best Plastic Mulch for Your Garden?

Choosing the right plastic mulch for your garden involves three factors. They are climate, plant types, and growing space. Here are some tips to guide you in the best decision:

What to consider while getting a plastic mulch

  1. Thickness
    Durability & crop type decide mulching paper thickness. For vegetables, use 15 to 30 microns. For long-term crops, use 60 to 80 microns. The higher it is, the more durable it will be. Thinner mulching paper is cheaper. It's best for short crops, like vegetables, but it's not durable.
  2. Width
    Select the width of mulching paper based on the row spacing. This is also important for laying purposes. Usually, 1 to 1.5 meters of width film is used to produce a variety of crops.
  3. Color
    The most important factor, depending on the crop, soil, and location, is mulching paper color. Mulching paper color affects soil temperature, air temperature, and soil pH. It also affects sunlight reflection around the plant. The most common mulching sheet is black and silver because it suits all crops. Black plastic mulch is great. It kills weeds, warms the soil in cold weather, and retains moisture. The silver one performs well in warming up the soil to grow the plants faster.
  4. Quality
    A good mulching paper should be durable, low-porous, and heat-resistant.

Alternatives to Mulch

Plastic mulch has many benefits. But some gardeners prefer eco-friendly options due to plastic waste. While plastic mulch has benefits, it is not eco-friendly. Here are a few replacements of plastic mulches.

  1. Biodegradable Mulches: These mulches break down over time. They improve the soil. So, they are eco-friendly.
  2. Organic Mulches: Straw, lawn clippings, and wood chips are common organic mulches. They putrefy, supplying nutrients to the soil.
  3. Fabric-Grounded Mulches: These are made from woven or non-woven fabrics. They allow water to pass through while suppressing weeds.

Pros and Cons of Organic Mulch Alternatives

Organic mulches are biodegradable. They rot over time. They conserve moisture less than plastic mulches. You may need to replenish organic mulch more often to keep it effective. Organic mulches are more sustainable. They also improve the soil with organic matter.

How to Use Plastic Mulch in Your Garden Effectively

To get the most from plastic mulch, install and conserve it properly. Follow this way for optimal results:

Proper Installation Techniques

  1. Prepare the Soil: Clear the area of weeds, rocks, and debris to ensure a smooth surface.
  2. Lay the Mulch: Roll out the plastic mulch over the soil. It should fit snugly around plants and stretch evenly across the garden bed.
  3. Secure the Edges: Use soil or staples to secure the edges of the mulch to help it from blowing away or shifting.
  4. Cut Holes for Plants: Depending on your area, cut slits or holes in the plastic to allow for plant growth.

Maintenance Tips

  1. Check for Damage: Check the mulch for gashes or holes. They can reduce its effectiveness.
  2. Irrigation: Your irrigation system must work with plastic mulch. It may need special tweaks to water it effectively.
  3. Manage Plant Growth: Keep an eye on your plants to make sure they’re not growing too large for the mulch. Trim any overgrowth to help damage.

Conclusion: Plastic Mulch for a Healthier, More Productive Garden

Plastic mulch is vital for gardeners. It boosts plant health, cuts conservation efforts, and improves yields. The right mulch for the climate and plants will boost your garden. Whether you're a novice or a pro, gardening with mulch is always a good idea.

Frequently Asked Questsion's

Q1: What are the primary benefits of using plastic mulch in gardens?

Plastic mulch retains humidity, regulates temperature, and represses weeds. This leads to healthier plants and better yields.

Q2: Can plastic mulch be used for all types of plants?

Yes, plastic mulch can be used for many plantations. But choose the type of mulch and installation system based on the plant's needs.

Q3: Is plastic mulch environmentally friendly?

Traditional plastic mulch isn't biodegradable. But there are biodegradable and recycled options. Consider these if you are concerned about environmental impact.

Q4: Can plastic mulch be used in all climates?

Yes, but the type of plastic mulch should be chosen according to the regional climate. In cooler regions, black plastic mulch works well. In warmer areas, reflective mulches are better.