Managing Mulch & Compost- PDF ebook

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Mulching is a key technique in a gardeners tool chest

This book has the potential to change your perception of mulching, and it’s significance to successful plant culture. Mulching correctly can have massive beneficial effects on plant and soil health. Improper mulching can have just as many negative effects.  Your choices matter, and need to be made differently for different plants, in different climates and different ecosystems at different times of the year. You can vary the thickness and frequency of mulch, whether you use one material over the top of another (or not) and whether or not you treat the ground before laying the mulch. Organic mulches will decompose and disappear into the soil eventually; and understanding that process of decomposition is integral to understanding how to manage mulch.

When it comes to mulching plants, there is no one size solution to fit all circumstances. You need to understand the implications of all the factors at play, and only then can you make appropriate choices about what to do.  This book helps you make those choices.

TABLE OF CONTENTS- WHAT'S INSIDE THIS EBOOK?

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE OF MULCHING
What is mulching?
Why is mulch used?
Types of mulches
Mulch, soil conditioner or fertiliser – what is the difference?
Selection of mulch
General rules
Mulching materials
Plastic mulch 

CHAPTER 2 THE PROCESS OF DECOMPOSITION 
Some precautions when using mulch 
Organic mulches 
Decomposition rate 
How mulch decomposes 
Undecomposed mulch 

CHAPTER 3 TECHNIQUES 
How to lay mulch 
Sheetmulching 
Hydromulching 
Living mulch 

CHAPTER 4 MULCH ECOLOGY
Effects of mulching materials on soil health and crop production
Mulching and climate change

CHAPTER 5 CHARACTERISTICS AND APPLICATIONS
Characteristics of organic mulches
Characteristics of inorganic mulches
Mulching applications

CHAPTER 6 DIFFERENT MULCHES FOR DIFFERENT PLANTS
Types of mulches
Bacterial vs fungal soils 
What mulch to use in different situations 

CHAPTER 7 COMPOSTING
Composting
Composting methods 
Further reading and study 

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