Using plastic sheets for weed control, even under current best management practices, pollutes soil with macro- and micro-plastics and negatively affects critical soil functions, according to a study.

It may seem trivial, but home gardeners who choose to use plastic mulch may want to note the advantages that research has shown for colored mulches over the more traditional black plastic mulch.

MT. VERNON, Wash. – Researchers at Washington State University are trying to help farms grow pumpkins and squash more sustainably. Researchers at the university’s extension in Mt. Vernon studied ...

Between the planters and the soil bags, plastic is hard to avoid in gardening. In fact, some supplies you may not realize are ...

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Researchers at Washington State University are trying to help farms grow pumpkins and squash more sustainably. Researchers at the university’s extension in Mount Vernon studied ...

China has led the world in using plastic-film mulch to increase the productivity of its crops, and now it needs to lead the world in removing the plastic residue damaging its croplands, according to a ...

In order to keep water from evaporating from the soil, farmers often cover the ground around their crop plants with sheets of polyethylene plastic. There could soon be a more eco-friendly alternative, ...

The weather is confusing -- and irritating. Errgg. Baskets of annuals are hanging sullenly where the sun was shining a few days ago. The cactus-garden container I moved out from under the eaves is ...

So back to “What’s new in mulch?” It’s wool. Yes, from sheep. It can be used right off the sheep or in the form of wool ...

Consumers are sometimes shocked to find that organic standards allow for the use of plastic mulch on organic farms. After all plastic polymers are synthetic petrochemical products and not “natural”.

It has been hot and dry, but we received some rain. We need to be doing things in our landscape and garden to conserve our plants and water as well. The simplest method is using mulches. Mulch is any ...