How Liquid Mulch Works

Liquid Mulch is a water-based liquid that contains a number of my proprietary polysaccharide resins. It is poured over the soil that is to be protected and when it dries these polysaccharide resins, along with the soil, form a permeable, completely natural and biodegradable film that prevents new weed seeds from sprouting, reduces evaporation of water from the soil, reduces soil erosion caused by wind and rain, and can even reduce pest pressure.

It achieves these outstanding  results because it is not a film that lies on top of the soil. Rather, it binds the soil particles in the top 5 to 20 mm of the soil together forming a crust. This crust, held together by the polysaccharide resins is what prevents weed seeds from sprouting, reduces soil erosion and reduces the amount of water that evaporates from the soil. It makes it harder for insects that have part of their life cycle in the soil from entering the soil or from exiting it. Thus, it can reduce pest pressure. It is permeable allowing the roots to breathe and allowing rainwater or irrigation to go through to the roots (albeit at a slower rate).

How it Controls Weeds

Liquid Mulch is unique in the way that it controls weeds. As we review the most common weed control techniques, we will discover 24 of the most common problems or issues that the use of Liquid Mulch overcomes. At the same time I will describe what Liquid Mulch is not.

1. Liquid Mulch is not herbicide

   What a Herbicide is:

   The chemicals in herbicides prevent or inhibit the growth of weeds. Herbicides can be incredibly effective even in small doses of concentration. There are many different types of herbicides and each of them work differently but overall, their method of action can be classified into two: systemic or translocated herbicides and non-systemic or contact herbicides.

   Systemic or translocated herbicides are those which are absorbed by the plant from the absorption site and moves within the plant’s vascular system to sites of action where the chemicals then work to control the growth of the plant. Non-systemic herbicides, or contact herbicides, kill the parts of the plant that it comes in contact with. While these are more fast-acting than contact herbicides, they require repeated application, especially to control undergrowth growth and are not as effective for perennial weeds.

   Some herbicides are selective. Selective herbicides target specific species of plants without having an impact on other plant.

   Other herbicides are broad spectrum herbicides or non-selective. These herbicides affect a wide range of plants. They are mostly used in pre and post-sowing burn down, chemical follows, plantations and also for industrial applications that require clearing a wide area of land of all plants.

   The most common problems with herbicides are:

   1. Repetitive use of herbicides decreases their effectiveness because weeds become resistant

   2. Herbicides can damage or hinder the growth of young non-target plants

   3. Herbicides are chemicals that linger in the environment and can harm insects and other animals

   4. Herbicides can cause cancer and other illnesses with prolonged exposure

   5. Most herbicides are petrochemicals that are not compatible with sustainable techniques

   What Liquid Mulch is:

   Liquid Mulch is not a chemical that prevents or inhibits the growth of any plant. The crust that it forms with the soil is similar to a mulch film. Weed seeds that fall on top of the crust do not sprout because they do not get the moisture needed to sprout or to grow. Since it does not kill anything any plants already in the ground will continue to grow. That is why it is important to start with a clean bed or area that is weed free. That is when Liquid Mulch works the best.

2. A mulch film

   What mulch films are:

   Mulch films are plastic films that are used to warm the soil thereby extending the growing season, prevent moisture loss from the soil, limit weed growth, reduce contact between the soil and the plant thereby reducing the risk of transfer of pathogens from the soil to the plant and they improve crop yield.

   Mulch films have been used in agriculture for decades because of their numerous benefits.

   There are two main kinds of mulch films. Non degradable films made primarily from polyethylene and degradable films. Degradable films are further available as films that simply fall apart usually from the action of UV light but that are not biodegradable and films that biodegrade.

   There are at least 10 disadvantages to the use of plastic mulch films that are overcome by using Liquid Mulch:

   1. Non-biodegradable plastic mulch films contribute to pollution such as soil and water contamination because they do not break down in the environment. Over the season they become brittle and leave micro plastics in the soil. The removal and disposal of these plastics is often difficult and expensive. At the very least, they contribute the problem of filling up land fill sites quickly.

   2. The initial cost of purchasing and installing mulch films can be expensive, especially for high-quality or biodegradable options.

   3. Continual use of plastic mulch films leads to soil health degradation. It affects soil aeration and hinders the natural movement of organisms and water within the soil, potentially leading to poorer soil quality over time.

   4. Disposing of used non-biodegradable mulch film is often be difficult and expensive. Often it cannot be recycled because it is contaminated with a lot of dirt and ends up in a landfill or as litter in natural environments.

   5. Plastic mulch films are made from petroleum, increasing our reliance on petrochemicals and conflicting with sustainable practices.

   6. Biodegradable mulch films are not be suitable for everyone because they usually do not degrade complete during the growing season and still need to be removed. They usually are more expensive than non-degradable plastic films.

   7. Installing and removing mulch film needs a lot time and labor, especially in large fields. In the case of non-biodegradable films, removal must be thorough to prevent pieces of plastic from remaining in the field and affecting soil health.

   8. Mulch film can be easily damaged by workers, machinery, animals, or extreme weather conditions. Making repairs or replacing the film is labor intensive and increases costs.

   9. Some plastic mulch films may leach chemicals into the soil harming the soil and affecting the health of crops.

   10. While mulch film can prevent some diseases, it can also create an environment that is conducive for certain pests and diseases that thrive in the warm, moist conditions found the film.

   What Liquid Mulch is:

   Liquid Mulch eliminates all of these disadvantages and also comes with its own challenges. Some of these challenges are:

   1. The volume of Liquid Mulch that is applied is greater than applying herbicides or fertilizer because it needs to cover the entire surface of the soil. People tend to gravitate towards herbicide applicators to apply Liquid Mulch when watering equipment is what is needed. The watering equipment needs to be set-up properly and cleaned afterwards.

   2. Liquid Mulch needs to dry to be effective. It takes about 15 minutes to set and about 1 day to dry. If it is applied in the rain it will be diluted and become less effective.

3. A landscape fabric

   What Landscape Fabric is:

   Landscape fabric is a textile that is used to control weeds by making a physical barrier through which the weeds cannot grow. The fabric is placed around desirable plants and covering areas where weeds are unwanted. The material used to make the fabric itself can be either synthetic or organic textiles.

   There are at least 10 disadvantages to the use of plastic mulch films that are overcome by using Liquid Mulch. Here are some of the more important disadvantages:

   1. Most landscape fabric is made of plastic fibers and is terrible for the environment. It lasts forever and is not sustainable.

   2. If you need to move a plant or replace a sick plant or add a new plant it is very difficult and cumbersome to work around the landscape fabric.

   3. Generally, landscape fabric does not look nice and loose mulch placed on top tends to blow around in the wind.

   4. It can blow around, damaging plants, if it is not tied down properly.

   5. Voles love to burrow and live under landscape fabric. They will eat the roots of your plants there.

   6. The roots of plants can overheat in the hot sun. Many people have lost newly planted flowers or plugs because of this.

4. Loose mulch

   What loose mulch is:

   Loose mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Loose mulch usually is an organic material such as tree bark. But it can also be a synthetic material such as rubber. Just like mulch films and landscape fabric, the primary reason for using loose mulch is to reduce the number of weeds. It can also help moisture retention in the soil, increase the organic content of the soil, and improve the visual appearance of the area.

   Loose mulch also has disadvantages, especially if it is not used properly. Again, Liquid Mulch avoids all of these disadvantages. Some of these disadvantages are:

   1. It can be a home to pests that can be detrimental to your plants.

   2. If not enough mulch is used it can be ineffective in controlling weeds.

   3. It can harm your plants if too much mulch is used.

   4. Mulch placed right up to the plant stems can cause the stems to rot.

Liquid Mulch has been successfully used on over 50 different kinds of plants in various climates and soil types around the world. To get a list of these plants, climates, and soil types please contact me.