AGRICULTURE REPORT - Mulch

AGRICULTURE REPORT - September 3, 2002: Mulch

By George Grow

This is Bill White with the VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT.

Mulching is one of the best things people can do for their plants. Mulch is a
protective¹ cover of material that is spread on top of soil. It is usually made of
organic² material, or material from plants. Mulch protects the soil against wind and
water damage. It helps keep the soil wet and reduces the need for watering plants. It
also limits temperature changes in the soil. And it stops unwanted plants, or weeds,
from growing.

Organic mulch improves the condition of soil. As the mulch breaks down, it
provides material which keeps the soil from getting hard. This improves the growth
of roots and increases the movement of water through the soil. It also improves the

ability of the soil to hold water. Organic mulch contains nutrients³ for plants. It also provides a good environment
for earthworms and other helpful organisms⁴ in the soil.

The United States Department of Agriculture says it is easy to find organic mulch materials. Cut up leaves and
small pieces of tree bark can be used. Grass cuttings are also a good mulch for plants. Mulch from newspapers
works⁵ well in controlling weeds.

The best time to add mulch depends on your goal. Mulch provides a thick barrier between the soil and the air.
This helps to reduce temperature changes in the soil. As a result, mulched soil will be cooler than other soil in the
summer. Mulched areas usually warm up more slowly in the spring and cool down slowly in autumn. In winter,
the mulched soil may not freeze as deeply as other soil.

Mulch used to help moderate⁶ the effects of winter weather can be added late in autumn. The best time is after the
ground has frozen⁷, but before the coldest weather arrives. Spreading mulch before the ground has frozen may
attract small animals searching for a warm place to spend the winter. Delaying the spreading should prevent this
problem. The animals probably will find another place to live.

Farmers use mulch in many ways. Some farmers keep the remains⁸ of corn or other crops on top of the soil. This
creates mulch on the soil surface. The plant remains help protect the soil against wind and water damage. This is
called conservation tillage.

This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by George Grow. This is Bill White.

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1 protective   

adj.防护的，保护的

参考例句：

• A mother naturally feels protective towards her children.做母亲的天生要保护自己的孩子。
• We feel safe with a protective device in the house.我们因为家里有了防护装置而感到安全。

2 organic   

adj.有机的，有机物的；有组织的

参考例句：

• Organic farming is expanding everywhere.有机农业正在各地迅速发展起来。
• The organic fertilizer shall keep the soil in good heart.这有机肥一定会使土壤保持肥沃。

3 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 organisms   

n.有机物( organism的名词复数 )；有机体；生物；有机体系

参考例句：

• The organisms can be divided into discrete categories. 有机体可分为许多互不相联的种类。
• The cell is the unit of which all living organisms are composed. 细胞是构成一切生物的单位。

5 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

6 moderate   

adj.适度的，稳健的，温和的，中等的；v.节制，使...稳定，使...缓和；n.稳健的人

参考例句：

• You should moderate your language when children are present.在孩子面前，你说话应该有节制。
• The wind is moderate today.今天的风很柔和。

7 frozen   

adj.冻结的，冰冻的

参考例句：

• He was frozen to death on a snowing night.在一个风雪的晚上，他被冻死了。
• The weather is cold and the ground is frozen.天寒地冻。

8 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。