Sheet mulching

In permaculture, sheet mulching is an agricultural no-dig gardening technique that attempts to mimic natural forests' processes. When deployed properly and in combination with other permacultural principles, it can generate healthy, productive, and low maintenance ecosystems.[1][2]

Technique

Typical layers of natural soil.

A model for sheet mulching consists of the following steps:[1][3]

1. The area of interest is flattened by trimming down existing plant species such as grasses.

2. The soil is analyzed and its pH is adjusted (if needed).

3. The soil is moisturized (if needed) to facilitate the activity of decomposers.

4. The soil is then covered with a thin layer of slowly decomposing material (known as the weed barrier), typically cardboard. This suppresses the weeds by blocking sunlight, adds nutrients to the soil as weed matter quickly decays beneath the barrier, and increases the mechanical stability of the growing medium.

5. A layer (around 10 cm thick) of weed-free soil, rich in nutrients is added, in an attempt to mimic the A horizon.

6. A layer (at most 15 cm thick) of weed-free, woody and leafy matter is added in an attempt to mimic the forest floor or O Horizon. Theoretically, the soil is now ready to receive the desirable plant seeds.[4]

Variations and considerations

Advantages

Sheet mulch has important advantages relative to conventional methods:

Disadvantages

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Elevitch, Craig; Wilkinson, Kim (1998). "Sheet Mulching: Greater Plant and Soil Health for Less Work". Agroforestry.net. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  2. Mason, John (2003). Sustainable Agriculture (Second ed.). Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO. ISBN 978-0-643-06876-6.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hemenway, Toby (2009). Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture (2nd ed.). White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub. ISBN 978-1-60358-029-8.
  4. Stout, Ruth (February–March 2004). "Ruth Stout's System". Mother Earth News. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  5. Nicole Faires, The Ultimate Guide to Permaculture, Skyhorse Publishing Inc., p. 228, ISBN 978-1-62087-316-8, retrieved 3 July 2012
  6. 1 2 "Sheet Mulching". StopWaste.Org. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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