What Is Living Mulch, and Why Use It?
Living mulch is the practice of growing a groundcover alongside or beneath a main crop to act as a natural protective layer, suppressing weeds and improving soil health. Key benefits include reduced soil erosion and compaction, enhanced biodiversity, increased soil organic matter and nutrients (especially nitrogen from legumes), and the potential for weed suppression through shading and competition.
Living mulches can also support beneficial insects and can be integrated into existing gardens and farms without requiring land to be taken out of production for cover crops.
How to Establish Living Mulch
- Timing: Plant living mulch either before or at same time as your main plants (or once main plants are established and can tolerate some shade/competition).
- Seed sowing or plant plugs depending on species: clover seeds, thyme plugs, etc.
- Soil prep: loosen topsoil, remove weeds, ensure good drainage.
- Initial watering: keep moist until the living mulch is established.
- Spacing: low profile around young plants; leave space so main plants aren’t overly shaded.
Maintenance & Management
- Regular trimming or mowing of living mulch to keep it from overtaking main plants.
- Monitor soil moisture—living mulch will reduce evaporation but also compete for water in dry periods. Adjust watering.
- Watch for nutrient competition: may need to supplement nutrients if main plants show deficiency.
- Edge or contain spread if needed (e.g. creeping thyme or violets spreading into paths).
- Chop & drop clippings: trimming and leaving the cut bits adds organic matter.
When Does Living Mulch Perform Better than Landscape Fabric
- Long-term soil health vs short term suppression: living mulch builds soil biology; fabric suppresses weeds but can block air/micro-organisms.
- Better moisture regulation: fabric can overheat roots or trap water; living mulch balances temperature and moisture.
- Cost over time: seeds/plugs vs cost of fabric, replacing torn fabric, disposing of it.
- Aesthetic & biodiversity: fabric looks artificial; living mulch beautifies and provides habitat.
Tips Checklist
- Pick species adapted to your climate & light conditions.
- Plant at the right time for best establishment.
- Manage height, density & spread.
- Monitor competition & adjust (trimming, watering, fertilizing).
- Enjoy the benefits: weed suppression, moisture, pollinators, soil health, more natural look.