kenthefarmer
Lister
I mulch all my nursery beds ,whether it’s cabbages, sukuma wiki, or bulb onions. Over the years, I’ve seen the difference, and I don’t take chances. Without mulching, the soil dries up too fast, seeds struggle to germinate, and young seedlings weaken under the hot sun or heavy rains.
There are two types of mulching: organic and synthetic. I prefer dry grass because it keeps moisture in the soil and improves soil health as it decomposes. It's also cheaper. But I’m always careful with the kind of grass I use. I once made the mistake of using wheat straws, and the wheat grew faster than my onions. Uprooting it was a nightmare because it pulled out my onion seedlings along with it. Since then, I only use well-dried grass that has no seeds.
Look clearly and see wheat growing together with bulb onions seedlings.
Shade nets are another option, especially in hot areas. They prevent direct sun from drying the soil and protect against heavy rain. But unlike grass, they don’t improve soil fertility and they are expensive.
If your nursery struggles with uneven germination, weak seedlings, or soil that dries out too quickly, check if you’re mulching. What type of mulch works best for you?
~village investor
There are two types of mulching: organic and synthetic. I prefer dry grass because it keeps moisture in the soil and improves soil health as it decomposes. It's also cheaper. But I’m always careful with the kind of grass I use. I once made the mistake of using wheat straws, and the wheat grew faster than my onions. Uprooting it was a nightmare because it pulled out my onion seedlings along with it. Since then, I only use well-dried grass that has no seeds.
Look clearly and see wheat growing together with bulb onions seedlings.
Shade nets are another option, especially in hot areas. They prevent direct sun from drying the soil and protect against heavy rain. But unlike grass, they don’t improve soil fertility and they are expensive.
If your nursery struggles with uneven germination, weak seedlings, or soil that dries out too quickly, check if you’re mulching. What type of mulch works best for you?
~village investor
