The Vegetable Beet: Alternatives to Plastic Mulch

Abstract

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 plantIt’s non recyclable That she brought from a sales manIn 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