I am approaching year 3 in the endeavor of turning my tiny backyard into a food forest. One of the methods I use to create biomass and build up my garden beds is sheet mulching.
What is sheet mulching?
In the shortest way possible, sheet mulching is using an additive method of mulching with thick sheets of organic material. This material chokes out weeds, and biodegrades over time providing a rich soil for your plants! This method is also healthy for building our local ecosystem in supporting and contributing to a healthy topsoil to support all kinds of different species throughout their life cycles.
Rototilling loosens soil, making it easier to erode away over time. An additive method supports healthy root systems, which hold this soil, and in turn water, right in place. Integrating sheet mulching into your garden can help with weed suppression, conserving water, and providing essential nutrients for your plants.
Come along with me as I check in with the status of my sheet mulch after one season!
Follow me on Youtube for more food foresting adventures. Happy growing!
One response to “Spring Garden Prep in the Backyard Food Forest: What is Sheet Mulching?”
[…] Meg Hollister, I’m a mixed media artist that creates collages inspired from my adventures in backyard food foresting and micro-prairie-ing in Rock Island […]