Sheet Mulch
Sheet mulching is a method of transforming fields into cultivable garden beds without tilling or digging. Instead, the field is covered in layers of mulch that mimic the leaf litter of the forest floor, building up the soil as well as killing the weeds and grass underneath. The mulch layers will protect the soil, stabilize temperatures and moisture levels, and suppress unwanted plants. Over time they will decompose and release nutrients back into the ground to feed the plants.
Layers of sheet mulch in the garden
Layer 1: Compost
Compost is the result of the aerobic decomposition of organic matter. It adds nutrients into the soil as well as beneficial soil organisms like bacteria, fungi, and worms that will continue to decompose organic matter and release nutrients.
Read more about the process in our blog post
Layer 2: Grass Clippings
Instead of cutting and removing all of the grass that was previously covering the site, we clipped it and left it as another mulch layer. Grass is a source of Nitrogen in the soil.
Layer 3: Cardboard
The cardboard layer is mainly to inhibit the growth of weeds by blocking the sunlight. It is also a source of Carbon for the soil as it is broken down by earthworms.
Layer 4: Straw and Bark Chips
The final layers are straw and bark chip mulch, both Carbon sources. They help insulate the soil, suppress any remaining weeds. and cover the cardboard, improving the aesthetics of the garden.
