What are the Major Disadvantages of Mulching?

Mulching is an age-old activity that has become increasingly popular in recent years. From extreme heat to nutrient loss, it protects the plants overall and also helps to increase yield. 

With the widespread acceptance of technology and the use of diverse approaches, a farmer not only can become progressive but also achieve optimum production even in the smallest amount of space. These days mulching is widely done and here is everything you need to know about along with its drawbacks.

What is mulch?

Mulch is a popular term used in most agricultural farming and cultivation. Basically, it is a protective layer that is added to the top of the soil to mitigate the impacts of local climatic conditions. 

What do you mean by mulching?

Mulching is a process where a mixture of leaves, wet straw and loose earth is evenly spread on the ground. This process is done to make sure that the newly planted trees, their roots and shrubs are protected. 

Disadvantages of mulching 

Just like mulching is good for soil and vegetables, it also comes with several drawbacks and can have negative impacts. So it is very important to know the shortfalls and here are some of the disadvantages of mulching: 

• Reduces soil temperature

Mulch slow’s the sun’s heating of the soil. Even though it isn’t a problem in summer, it can really bring issues during the early/mid-spring. 

This is when you need all the warmth you can get from the sun’s rays, it can prevent seeds from germinating, especially the ones that need higher soil temperature. Therefore, the growth rate of the seedlings is reduced when the soil gets a low temperature.

• Increase the risk of fungal disease

Some pests like slugs, earwigs, cutworms, etc look for dark, cool and moist places. So when the mulch gets very wet, it increases the risk of fungal diseases like collar rots. Besides, plastic mulches can also have a great harmful impact on humans as well as the environment. 

• Readily not available

Sometimes mulching materials are not always available like manure and compost. Also few mulching materials like plastic ones are very costly and not everyone can afford them.

Some other drawbacks of mulching 

• Overnulching leads to plant suffocation and can also bury plants.
• Mulch allows the pest to hide by giving them a convenient place. 
• Too much mulch can prevent water and oxygen from reaching the roots. 
• With excess heat mulch can bake your plants. 

Types of mulch 

Based on their composition, mulches are categorized into two types- Organic and Inorganic mulches. Mulch supplies have rapidly increased and this is because there are different types of mulch including:

Organic Mulch

• Manure/Peat
• Grass clippings
• Sawdust
• Dry leaves
• Straw
• Newspaper

Inorganic Mulch 

• Plastic mulches- Black and Clear polyethylene mulch
• Crushed stones/pebbles
• Gravel

Mulching is not always a good option! 

Even though mulching comes with great benefits, it not always can be a great option for you. So be it any mulching material you use, make sure you opt for mulch supplies from stores or professionals who are reputed and provide the best of products. You can also seek guidance from gardening experts.