Low Impact Weed Control Mulches Cheryl Wilen Area IPM Advisor UCCE/UC IPM.
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Transcript of Low Impact Weed Control Mulches Cheryl Wilen Area IPM Advisor UCCE/UC IPM.
Low Impact Weed ControlMulches
Cheryl Wilen
Area IPM Advisor
UCCE/UC IPM
Stages for Weed Management
PlanningPreventionControlRestoration
Questions About Landscape Mulches
Is mulch the same as compost?
Is mulch the same as compost?
What is a mulch?
What is a mulch?
Do termites eat mulch?
How long do various mulches last?
What’s that stuff growing in my mulch?
How do they change soil?
Mulch A material that covers the soil surface. Shades the ground and physically hinders
germinating weed seedlings. Mechanical method of weed management
Selection of a specific mulch Characteristics
AvailabilityCostHow often it needs to be replenished
Non toxic to plantsEasy to applyFree from pathogens and weed seed Not a nitrogen drain
How to Choose
LOTS OF CHOICES!!Natural
Bark Grass clippings Leaf mold Manure Wood chips
Synthetic
Non-woven cloth
Plastic film Woven cloth
http://www.gardenplace.com/content/calculator/mulch_calc.html#
Search: Mulch calculator
Is Mulch the Same as Compost?
Mulch is a use. Compost is a process.
Benefits of Landscape Mulch Annual weed control Soil improvement
Prevents erosion Helps improve soil structure Improves water infiltration
Prevents water loss by evaporation
Soil ImprovementErosion Control
A thin layer of mulch on the soil surface reduces the washing away of soil particles by rushing water.
Mulches prevents raindrops from splashing on the soil surface.
Increases organic matter from breakdown
A mulch layer on the soil surface allows the soil to soak up more water.
Evaporation Reduction A 3-inch layer of
mulch on the soil surface dries much faster than the soil below it
This prevents water from moving into air.
Breakdown A 3-inch layer of mulch on the soil surface
keeps most annual weed seedlings from coming through.
Mulch settles and gradually rots Add additional layers
DISADVANTAGES OF MULCHING
Some mulches can cause a temporary, decrease in soil nitrogen
Some mulching practices are labor intensive
Bad mulches are “sour” and phytotoxic
May have insects, pathogens
No perennial weed control
More = Better
What’s that growing in my mulch?
Bird’s nest fungi
Slime molds
Mushrooms
Termites
Would subterranean termites survive on mulch?
Would subterranean termites eat mulch?
•Mulch provides better habitat than food•Should keep mulch about 18” away from wood structures
Note: probably not an issue for drywood termites
Fabric Mulches Fabric thickness affects the degree of weed
suppression. Prevents light penetration.
Rose Vigor(approx. 5 months after transplanting)
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10Gallery 1
Surflan 4
Gal+Sur (1+4)
Gal+ Sur(1+3)
Snapshot 5
Biobarrier
T3201
T3401
Bark Mulch
Control
0=dead, 10=highly vigorous
Agricultural Mulch
Basic colors used (black, green, red) Black
Most widely used
Usually embossed for strength
Cheapest
Warms soil by contact
Plastic Films
Rubber Mulch - a "permanent" mulch that doesn't rot, dissolve into the ground or wash away from rain.
Made from recycled rubber truck tires, lasting ten years
PHYSICAL CONTROL OF PHYSICAL CONTROL OF PESTS: USE OF PESTS: USE OF MULCHESMULCHES
MULCHES MAY BE USED TO:
MANIPULATE TEMPERATURE
MANIPULATE LIGHT
MANIPULATE SOIL MOISTURE
OTHER EFFECTS
REDUCE INSECT FEEDING DAMAGE AND
TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES USING
REFLECTIVE MULCH
MODES OF MODES OF ACTION:ACTION:
•Light reflectionLight reflection
•Other?Other?
Insect Feeding Behavior
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0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Large
Mini
SS
Groundcover
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0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Large
Mini
SS
Groundcover
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Groundcover