Mulch is any material placed on a soil surface for the purpose of reducing evaporation, retaining moisture, reducing soil erosion, suppressing weed growth and providing plant nutrients as the material decomposes (INFONET BIOVISION). Mulches act as barriers to movement of moisture out of the soil.
Advantages of mulching is
Protects the soil from erosion
Reduces compaction from the impact of heavy rains
Conserves moisture, reducing the need for frequent waterings
Maintains a more even soil temperature
Prevents weed growth
Keeps fruits and vegetables clean
Keeps feet clean, allowing access to garden even when damp
Provides a "finished" look to the garden.
Coconut fiber, or coir, a natural waste product resulting from the processing of coconuts, comes from the outer shell of the coconut husks. The fibers are separated, cleaned, sorted and graded before shipping. Coir mulch uses include brushes, ropes, upholstery stuffing and doormats. In recent years, coir has become widely used by gardeners as a mulch, soil amendment and potting soil ingredient. Coir Mulch Benefits Renewability – Coir mulch is a renewable resource, unlike peat moss, which comes from non-renewable, diminishing peat bogs. Additionally, peat mining is not environmentally friendly, while harvesting of coir poses no threat to the environment. The downside is that although coir mulch is a sustainable industry, there is concern about the energy used to transport the mulch from its point of origin in places like Sri Lanka, India, Mexico and the Philippines. Water retention – Coir mulch holds 30 percent more water than peat. It absorbs water easily and drains well. This is an important benefit in drought-plagued areas, as use of mulch may reduce water use in the garden by as much as 50 percent. Compost – Coir, which is rich in carbon, is a useful addition to the compost pile, helping to balance nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings and kitchen waste. Add coir to the compost pile at a rate of two parts coir to one part green material, or use equal parts coir and brown material. Soil amendment – Coir is a versatile substance used to improve difficult soil. For example, coir mulch helps sandy soil retain nutrients and moisture. As an amendment for clay-based soil, coir improves soil quality, preventing compaction and allowing freer movement of moisture and nutrients. Soil pH – Coir has a near-neutral pH level of 5.5 to 6.8, unlike peat, which is highly acidic with a pH of 3.5 to 4.5. This is an ideal pH for most plants, with the exception of acid-loving plants like rhododendron, blueberries and azaleas.