Mulch

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Mulch
Mulch, substances spread on the ground to protect the roots of plants from extreme temperature and moisture changes. Mulch may be manure, sawdust, leaves and grass, cereal chaff, peat moss, straw, or even stones. The term is also applied to a layer of fine, loose, dry surface soil called dust mulch, which is maintained around plants to check evaporation of moisture and promote aeration of the soil. Organic materials used for mulching, in addition to protecting the plants, decay in time and enrich the soil (see Humus). Weeds grow sparsely in the mulched area. Natural mulch is formed by fallen leaves and by decaying nonwoody plant parts. Horticulturists have also used shredded tree bark, wood chips, vermiculite, and black polyethylene film.

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