Alternatives to Plastic Mulch

Natalie Hoidal will be interviewing Steve Poppe and Nate Dalman of the University of Minnesota. Is plastic mulch a key part of your farm that you wish you could ditch? Natalie will get the scoop on possible alternatives to plastic mulch, including non-living mulches and cover crops. 

Here is a synopsis of Steve Poppe's research on biodegradable plastics in strawberries: https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2019/02/developing-annual-day-neutral.html

Here is an article about Nate Dalman's living mulch work in strawberries:
https://fruit.umn.edu/living-mulch-strawberries-what-we-learned

At 35:00, Black Plastic Mulch is a cover of Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead, with lyrics reworked for the topic of alternative mulches. Lyrics by Ben Werling and Ben Phillips. Performed by Ben Phillips.

A black plastic mulch raised bed
For a fast-growing summer plant
It’s non recyclable

That she brought from a sales man
In a winter of best laid plans
But it left a big mess       

Living or dead, we need a mulch
Living or dead, we need...

A novel non-plastic mulch 
Or a short-growing legume mulch
That won’t crumble or compete

But I can’t go another day
There’s a price to pay either way
If I just turn my head 

Living or dead, we need a mulch
Living or dead, we need a mulch

And if I could yield the same as ever
With mulch that blocks weeds, then leaves forever
By spring time, by spring time