When landscaping, one of the most important things you can do is select the right biodegradable mulch film. Not only will this help improve your landscape’s appearance, but it will also reduce the time and resources needed to maintain it. This article will explain how to select the biodegradable plastic mulch film best for your needs and garden. From choosing the right type of biodegradable mulch film to determining its compatibility with your specific garden, we have everything you need to make an informed decision.
What is biodegradable mulch film?
Biodegradable mulch film is a very thin and flexible plastic sheet that can cover your garden beds. It’s made from cornstarch, which makes it biodegradable and compostable.
It can be applied directly to the soil or laid over existing mulch. It will protect plants from frost and help retain moisture in dry soil.
And it also provides an environment for the growth of beneficial microorganisms that break down organic matter.
Types of biodegradable mulch film
There are three types of biodegradable mulch films:
Polypropylene (PP) – This is today’s most common type of biodegradable mulch film. It’s made from recycled plastics and engineered to break down in an oxygen-rich environment such as soil or water. The breakdown process takes about two years for PP mulch film that has been buried in topsoil, which makes it an excellent choice for home gardeners who want to use natural products but don’t want to wait long periods for them to break down.
Polyethylene (PE) – PE is another common material used in making biodegradable weed control fabrics. PE is not as durable as PP . But it is also less expensive and can be used in an oxygen-poor environment such as a landfill. The breakdown process for PE mulch film takes about one year. It’s also important to note that using PE mulch film in your garden is not recommended because it doesn’t have any beneficial microorganisms that help break down organic materials such as compost or manure.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – LDPE mulch film is the weakest type of plastic available but still strong enough for most gardening or landscaping applications. It’s also the cheapest and easiest to work with because it’s flexible, lightweight, and conforms well to curves. Its disadvantages are that it tends to heat up in direct sunlight and degrade faster than other biodegradable films.
Advantages of using biodegradable plastic mulch
biodegradable plastic mulch is a great choice for landscapers and homeowners, especially in areas where the local environment may not be very friendly to plastic. Here are some of the advantages of using it.
Mulch Film Is Environmentally Friendly
It is made from all-natural materials, such as vegetables and other crops. As such, it breaks down quickly and easily in the environment. You can expect biodegradable mulch film to decompose within three months after application on your property or garden. This makes it much more environmentally friendly than plastic or other synthetic materials used for landscaping.
You Can Use It Anywhere
The versatility of biodegradable mulch film is one of its biggest advantages over other products today. You can use it anywhere that needs a layer of protection from soil erosion or water damage, including:
Gardens
Landscapes (both residential and commercial)
Ponds
Playgrounds
Disadvantages of using biodegradable mulch film
1. Water drainage:
Biodegradable mulch film is not porous and doesn’t allow water to drain out of it, which is an advantage as it acts as an effective weed barrier, but a disadvantage as plants will have to take up all the water they need from the soil beneath them. This can be a problem if the soil is dry or you are growing plants that require more water than others.
2. Wind resistance:
Plastic mulch sheets are usually wind resistant and won’t blow away easily because they are thick enough to hold their shape against strong winds. But since biodegradable mulch films are thin and flexible, they blow away easily on windy days and are very hard to keep in place.
3. It’s more expensive
It’s expensive compared to regular mulch. It takes more material to make biodegradable plastic mulch film — most likely recycled plastic — than traditional non-biodegradable plastic bags. So while you might save money in the long run by using biodegradable mulch over non-biodegradable plastic, it can be expensive upfront compared to buying traditional plastic bags of mulch.
4. It decomposes more slowly
It breaks down more slowly than regular plastic bags do. Because it’s made from recycled material, it takes longer for these bags to break down than traditional plastic does — although there are variations in the rate at which biodegradable mulch breaks down, depending on the type of material used. Some biodegradable films break down faster than others, and you can find these at garden centers or online.
How to select the best biodegradable mulch film?
The most important thing is to ensure that the mulch film you select is biodegradable. Many traditional plastic mulches are not biodegradable, so many end up in landfills and the ocean. The best way to find out if it is biodegradable is to ask for information from the manufacturer or distributor of the product.
If you want to be sure that your mulch film will break down into organic matter, then you need to look for products made from natural materials such as cotton, jute or hemp. These natural materials are all 100% biodegradable and have been used in agriculture for many years.
It’s also important to consider how easy it will be for you to work with this type of material when installing your mulch film. If you’re looking for something that will be easy to install, then it would be best to choose one with a lower weight per square foot than those with a higher weight per square foot.
You’ll also want to consider how much space you’ll need when installing your mulch film so that you don’t end up having too much left over after installation or too little left over after installation because there wasn’t enough to cover the ground that you need to cover.
You’ll also want to consider how easy it will be for you to work with this type of material when installing your mulch film. If you’re looking for something that will be easy to install, then it would be best to choose one with a lower weight per square foot than those with a higher weight per square foot.
Conclusion
To select a biodegradable plastic mulch, you must consider several factors, such as cost, thickness, the most appropriate place…etc. This article will give you professional advice and practical help with the selection. We sincerely hope the information provided can help you solve your difficult problems.
