In partnership with Washington State University and Montana State University 
Building and sharing information and best practices for biodegradable mulch

 

How do you apply bioedegradable plastic mulch?

​Application of biodegradable mulch is done in roughly the same manner as application of conventional polyethylene plastic mulch film. Application can be done with a raised-bed mulch layer or a flat-bed mulch layer. Both tractor-pulled and hand-pulled layers are available. Several manufacturers of biodegradable mulches - both plastic and paper - recommend releasing tension on the mechanical layer so that the product is not overly stretched during laying. Application can also be done by hand, with the mulch unrolled atop the row, and the sides of the mulch covered with soil by shovel.
[See more information and other FAQ here.]

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>> New Journal Article.   The Soils and Plastics researchers have collaborated on a new article that addresses the role of earthworms in the fate of polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulches. See this and other publications about biodegradable mulches here.

  >> New Factsheet.  What questions should a producer ask and have answered when considering adoption of biodegradable plastic mulch? That's the focus of a new fact sheet.  Read it and other basics about biodegradable mulch in our "Basic information resources."

 >> New Video.  A new video addresses how the team of soil scientists is assessing whether and how biodegradable plastic mulches affect soil health.