Mulch: Compost
Dig deeper with compost! Many farmers know the value of compost in their fields; this black gold adds so many valuable nutrients to the soil that plants rely on. But compost can be so much more than just a soil amendment; it can also be a mulch! By adding one to four inches of compost and planting directly into it, the compost can act as a weed suppressant while still building up the nutrients in the soil.
The Ultimate No Till Strategy is a YouTube video that introduces the deep composting mulch system and its uses in no-till. The four major principles of using no-till to create a living soil are to keep the ground covered, planted, undisturbed, and diverse. These are all possible through a deep compost system, though it will come with pros and cons.
To learn more about this lesser-known no-till method, Mulch- Pros & Cons of the Deep Compost Mulch System goes over how deep mulching can be a better option for smaller-scale growers, even with its faults. Many pros and cons exist, but ultimately, it is up to your farm and its needs. The best part of the deep compost system is that it can be combined with other mulch methods, allowing you to customize the process!
How to Use Compost As a Mulch or Soil Amendment | SoilNOW is an article by Cornell on using compost as a soil amendment, but also as a mulch! Compost mulch helps moderate temperature in the soil, as well as reducing moisture loss. To get the most benefit, this article recommends mulching when the soil has reached the desired temperature to help regulate temperatures during dramatic heating and cooling.
Step-by-Step of A Deep Mulching Compost System video is a guide created by Practical Farmers of Iowa that goes over the benefits that come from not tilling in your compost. These farmers go step by step in how they put the compost into their beds and their timeline with this method.
In the News: Deep Dive into Compost article was a presentation done at a NOFA Winter Conference by the Reduced Tillage Project and a team at Cornell University to introduce deep composting as a mulch system. This article also includes a quick video by Ryan Maher on using this method to reduce tilling, especially on smaller-scale operations.
NOFA-NH On Farm Composting Guide is a source by NOFA-NH to introduce farmers to various methods of producing and using composting on the farm. Many compost recipes and production methods are here to explore!
Ultimately, every farmer will have a different experience and preference when it comes to the best method of mulch. Trial and error are the best ways to learn and explore the best methods for you. Who knows where the next mulch breakthrough could come from! Dig deep to see if this mulching system will work for your farm, and make sure to check out NOFA-NH's other mulch resources: mulch, woodchips, cardboard, leaf, and grass.
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This resource was funded in partnership with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program