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Table 7-1—Mulches
Below is an overview of some of the mulch materials which work well in Oklahoma.

Material Comments

Organic materials (general): Can conserve moisture, prevent surface crusting, improve water penetration, harbor insects.

Bark chips and ground bark: Can harbor insects and termites; often placed over plastic as decorative material.

Compost: Excellent source of organic matter; may harbor certain weed seeds or plant pathogens if not properly prepared.

Grass clippings: Readily available, can reapply over time, may contain weed seeds or bermudagrass rhizomes, may mat and reduce water penetration if not dried first.

Hay and straw: Allows food water penetration; may contain grain seed.

Rice hulls: Has benefits as a soil amendment; slow to degrade; frequently contains weed seeds unless ccomposted or rolled to crush seeds.

Leaf mold: Can add needed acidity to alkaline soils; must be carefully prepared or purchased.

Newspapers (shredded): Readily available, low cost, no weed seeds; attracts earwigs, sowbugs; some concern about toxins in inks; not stable in windy locations.

Peat moss: Increases water-holding capacity, but is resistant to wetting when dry; adds acidity to alkaline soil; expensive.

Pine needles: Adds acidity; pine resins may be toxic to some plants.

Sawdust: A fine, short-term soil amendment; will mat and inhibit water penetration; robs soil of nitrogen, but composting will eliminate some problems; need to add additional nitrogen.

Wood chips: Robs soil of nitrogen; less depletion if rotted prior to application; need to add additional nitrogen.

Pressed heavy fibrous paper for mulching (e.g., Hortipaper): Good water and air penetration, easy application; must be purchased.

Nonorganic mulches: Do not provide organic matter for soil; often unattractive; most require special irrigation procedures; must be removed from field; conserve moisture.

Black plastic: Effective; need to add drip irrigation or furrows; warm up the soil slightly in the spring; unattractive.

Clear plastic: Same as black plastic except does not control weeds beneath unless solarization procedures are followed.

Aluminum foil: Disorients aphids within 12 inches, expensive, may reflect too much heat in the summer.

Non polypropylene fabric: Allows air and water penetration.

Photodegradable plastic film: May not need to be removed from the garden or field; degrades during the life of the crop, although degradation may not be complete with some products.

Material	Comments
Organic materials (general):	Can conserve moisture, prevent surface crusting, improve water penetration, harbor insects.
Bark chips and ground bark:	Can harbor insects and termites; often placed over plastic as decorative material.
Compost:	Excellent source of organic matter; may harbor certain weed seeds or plant pathogens if not properly prepared.
Grass clippings:	Readily available, can reapply over time, may contain weed seeds or bermudagrass rhizomes, may mat and reduce water penetration if not dried first.
Hay and straw:	Allows food water penetration; may contain grain seed.
Rice hulls:	Has benefits as a soil amendment; slow to degrade; frequently contains weed seeds unless ccomposted or rolled to crush seeds.
Leaf mold:	Can add needed acidity to alkaline soils; must be carefully prepared or purchased.
Newspapers (shredded):	Readily available, low cost, no weed seeds; attracts earwigs, sowbugs; some concern about toxins in inks; not stable in windy locations.
Peat moss:	Increases water-holding capacity, but is resistant to wetting when dry; adds acidity to alkaline soil; expensive.
Pine needles:	Adds acidity; pine resins may be toxic to some plants.
Sawdust:	A fine, short-term soil amendment; will mat and inhibit water penetration; robs soil of nitrogen, but composting will eliminate some problems; need to add additional nitrogen.
Wood chips:	Robs soil of nitrogen; less depletion if rotted prior to application; need to add additional nitrogen.
Pressed heavy fibrous paper for mulching (e.g., Hortipaper):	Good water and air penetration, easy application; must be purchased.
Nonorganic mulches:	Do not provide organic matter for soil; often unattractive; most require special irrigation procedures; must be removed from field; conserve moisture.
Black plastic:	Effective; need to add drip irrigation or furrows; warm up the soil slightly in the spring; unattractive.
Clear plastic:	Same as black plastic except does not control weeds beneath unless solarization procedures are followed.
Aluminum foil:	Disorients aphids within 12 inches, expensive, may reflect too much heat in the summer.
Non polypropylene fabric:	Allows air and water penetration.
Photodegradable plastic film:	May not need to be removed from the garden or field; degrades during the life of the crop, although degradation may not be complete with some products.