Organic Mulching
This technical guide explains how to cover the soil with plant material to reduce evaporation, protect the soil surface and gradually improve soil structure.
Objective:
Reduce water loss through evaporation, protect the soil surface from intense heat and heavy rain, and gradually improve soil structure.
Principle:
Cover the soil with a layer of healthy plant material such as straw, dry leaves, disease-free prunings or other locally available organic materials.
Implementation – Key Steps
- Remove surface weeds and loosen the top layer of soil if needed, avoiding deep tillage.
- Spread the plant material in an even layer, leaving a small gap around the stems.
- Adjust the thickness to suit the material and crop, using 5 to 10 cm as a general guide.
- Monitor soil moisture and the condition of the mulch.
- Top up or replace the mulch as it breaks down.
Precautions and Practical Advice:
Use healthy, uncontaminated plant material that contains no seeds from invasive plants, and watch for slugs and other pests in very damp conditions.
Benefits for Climate Adaptation:
Mulching retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, protects against erosion and gradually enriches the soil.
Indicative Investment Cost:
Costs are low if healthy plant residues are available locally, with additional expenses if materials need to be purchased or transported.
LESSONS FROM THE AIN LAHJAR ASSOCIATION’S EXPERIENCE
During the project’s field training sessions, farmers were introduced to mulching as a complementary agroecological practice, which was gradually implemented on a small plot to observe its effects on soil moisture, weed presence and crop condition, with the availability of healthy plant residues nearby helping to keep costs down.