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Minnesota([email protected])

I'm thinking of mulching, with grass clippings, around and under the leaf canopy on my A.G. plant. My thinking is that it will conserve moisture, give the roots a better environment to thrive, and inhibit weeds. The soil is sandy loam here.
Can you think of any reason mulching may be a bad idea?

7/18/2013 12:22:34 AM

BC, Canada

aside from insect pests specific to your area that might be attracted to a mulch, I certainly think mulching is a great plan for almost any crop. I do it on my regular pumpkins. I use a lot of grass clippings. I find they break down fast and if you mow the same area often, like a lawn, you will probably not have a lot of weed seeds such as come in some hay. The fact that they shrink down quickly also means that you will not have an issue with holding moisture and creating a mould problem around the leaf stocks. In our area mulch creates an environment for predator insects such as the rove beetle that prey on some of the unwanted bugs. What I don't know is how you would get it in there with out hurting the vines and leafs. I hate trying to wade into the patch as it always seems to do damage, and my arms aren't that long. Maybe laying down some mulch along the vine path as it grows? My soil also is very sandy so I add lots of organic matter to try and hold in some water.
Probably some more experienced AG folks here that have done it and seen the good and bad aspects of mulching an AG vine.

7/18/2013 2:48:19 AM

Fairfield, CT, 06825

Don't do it. Could cause disease and rot.

7/18/2013 9:26:51 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

As they break down the clippingZ rob N from the soil....but we will find out thiZ year aZ BiZ has spread a lot around his plantZ.....the patch stinkZ of the rotting graZZ, Im not to keen about that....since Im in the patch...ALL the time...

7/18/2013 11:51:04 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Not jumping on the pile...but I would never mulch under my pumpins or the plants...native soil mixed with compost and peat moss is what I use if I need to cover vines or replace soil.

Other growers certainly have and can mulch with great success, but for me it is an open invite party for slugs, sow bugs, mice, rats, squirrels and you name it....

7/18/2013 12:18:05 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yup

7/18/2013 12:32:46 PM

Connecticut

In my opinion this is not a long term sustainable practice as you will be increasing your organic matter over time. There will also be limiting opportunities to add oxygen to the decomposition process so this could lead some potential issues at the end of the season.

Personally I would suggest you add the grass clipping to a separate compost pile where you have a little more control of the process and then add the finished compost if necessary to the patch based on a soil test.

7/18/2013 4:46:23 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for the input. I think I'll do a partial mulch......around the pumpkin plant, and maybe the outer half of the sidevines, leaving the inner part unmulched.

7/22/2013 6:51:17 PM