This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English AgricultureReport.

Mulch is important to farmers. Mulch is a protective cover ofmaterial that is spread on top of soil. It is usually made out oforganic material, like crop waste. Farmers may keep the remains ofmaize or other crops on top of the soil. This creates mulch on thesoil surface. The plant remains help protect the soil against windand water damage. This is called conservation tillage.

Mulching is one of the best things people can do for theirplants. Mulch not only protects the soil against wind and waterdamage. It also helps keep the soil wet and reduces the need forwatering plants. It also limits temperature changes in the soil. Andit stops unwanted plants, or weeds, from growing.

Organic mulch improves the condition of soil. As the mulch breaksdown, it provides material which keeps the soil from getting hard.This improves the growth of roots and increases the movement ofwater through the soil. It also improves the ability of the soil tohold water. Organic mulch contains nutrients for plants. It alsoprovides a good environment for earthworms and other helpfulorganisms in the soil.

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

The best time to add mulch depends on your goal. Mulch provides athick barrier between the soil and the air. This helps to reducetemperature changes in the soil. As a result, mulched soil will becooler than other soil in the summer. Mulched areas usually warm upmore 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 moderate the effects of winter weather can beadded late in autumn. The best time is after the ground has frozen,but before the coldest weather arrives. Spreading mulch before theground has frozen may attract small animals searching for a warmplace to spend the winter. Delaying the spreading should preventthis problem. The animals will probably find another place to live.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by GeorgeGrow. This is Steve Ember.