The benefits of mulching
By Hanks Saisai
In dry countries such as Namibia where water is a scarce resource it is always advisable for farmers to engage in water conserving practices.
The cultivation of land for the purpose of crop production often exposes the soil to scorching sunlight which speeds up evaporation and depletes moisture.
A common method that has been used to ensure water retention in fields is mulching. Mulching is the practice of covering the surface of the soil between growing crops with a layer of material.
A prominent benefit of mulching is that it slows down the amount of soil moisture that is lost during evaporation. On very hot sunny days, crop fields that have no cover on the surface of the soil between growing crops, tend to suffer in water losses due to evaporation thus lowering the amount of soil moisture available to plant roots.
When mulching is correctly placed on the surface, evaporation reduces thus minimizing the damage that vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes and root crops like carrots may experience due to low soil moisture as they approach maturity stages.
Cost, soil erosion
Moreover, mulching reduces the frequency of watering crop fields and in so doing reducing the cost of water that may be associated with growing crops.
Additionally, mulching has the ability to reduce soil compaction that is caused by watering, rain and trampling when working in the garden. This improves water penetration in fields and reduces the chances of runoff, consequently preventing soil erosion.
Finally, mulching protects the soil to a considerable extent from extreme day and night temperatures ensuring an ideal environment for soil micro-organisms that are vital in decomposing dead plant and animal materials to provide nutrients to the roots of crops and vegetables.
In dry countries such as Namibia where water is a scarce resource it is always advisable for farmers to engage in water conserving practices.
The cultivation of land for the purpose of crop production often exposes the soil to scorching sunlight which speeds up evaporation and depletes moisture.
A common method that has been used to ensure water retention in fields is mulching. Mulching is the practice of covering the surface of the soil between growing crops with a layer of material.
A prominent benefit of mulching is that it slows down the amount of soil moisture that is lost during evaporation. On very hot sunny days, crop fields that have no cover on the surface of the soil between growing crops, tend to suffer in water losses due to evaporation thus lowering the amount of soil moisture available to plant roots.
When mulching is correctly placed on the surface, evaporation reduces thus minimizing the damage that vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes and root crops like carrots may experience due to low soil moisture as they approach maturity stages.
Cost, soil erosion
Moreover, mulching reduces the frequency of watering crop fields and in so doing reducing the cost of water that may be associated with growing crops.
Additionally, mulching has the ability to reduce soil compaction that is caused by watering, rain and trampling when working in the garden. This improves water penetration in fields and reduces the chances of runoff, consequently preventing soil erosion.
Finally, mulching protects the soil to a considerable extent from extreme day and night temperatures ensuring an ideal environment for soil micro-organisms that are vital in decomposing dead plant and animal materials to provide nutrients to the roots of crops and vegetables.
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