{"id":4885,"date":"2026-10-29T05:49:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T05:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/organicagcentre.ca\/uncategorized\/what-is-eco-mulching-and-how-does-it-work-in-regenerative-systems\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T05:49:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T05:49:39","slug":"what-is-eco-mulching-and-how-does-it-work-in-regenerative-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/organicagcentre.ca\/soil-health-and-carbon-management\/regenerative-agriculture-practices\/what-is-eco-mulching-and-how-does-it-work-in-regenerative-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Eco Mulching (and How Does It Work in Regenerative Systems)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eco mulching is the practice of using living plants as a ground cover beneath or between cash crops to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and build organic matter without relying on synthetic herbicides or petroleum-based plastic mulch. Instead of bare soil or plastic sheeting, farmers establish perennial or self-seeding species that form a living carpet, often cut back or mown at strategic times to minimize competition while delivering the protective benefits of traditional mulch. This approach aligns closely with regenerative agriculture goals<\/a> by cycling nutrients, feeding soil biology, and reducing external inputs.<\/p>\n

For Canadian Prairie farmers navigating short growing seasons and variable moisture, eco mulching offers a practical tool to cut herbicide costs, stabilize soil temperature, and improve water infiltration. The system works particularly well in high-value crops like vegetables and small fruit, where weed pressure and moisture stress can make or break profitability. Rather than tilling repeatedly or laying down rolls of plastic, growers seed clover, vetch, or low-growing grasses that stay green through dry spells and fix nitrogen when conditions allow.<\/p>\n

This article unpacks how eco mulching functions at the biological level, outlines the main types suited to Alberta’s climate, and walks through implementation steps drawn from growers who’ve made the transition. You’ll see case studies from farms managing living mulch in market gardens and perennial systems, along with expert insights on species selection, timing, and common troubleshooting. Whether you’re exploring alternatives to black plastic or looking to refine an existing cover crop strategy, the guidance here gives you a clear roadmap for integrating eco mulching into your operation.<\/p>\n

What Eco Mulching Means for Regenerative Farms<\/h2>\n

Eco mulching turns the ground beneath your crops into a working partner, not just empty space waiting for weeds. Instead of bare soil or inert wood chips, you’re establishing a living or recently-living layer that feeds the ecosystem while it protects. This means deliberately planting low-growing cover crops alongside your main crop, or terminating a dense stand of biomass and leaving it on the surface to decompose in place. Either way, the mulch isn’t just sitting there, it’s actively cycling nutrients, sheltering beneficial insects, and pumping carbon into the soil through root exudates and microbial digestion.<\/p>\n

What sets eco mulching apart from conventional approaches is biological intention. Traditional plastic mulch or bare tillage focuses solely on weed suppression or moisture retention. Eco mulching does those things too, but it also builds fertility with every growing season. Living mulches feed microbes that break down organic matter, fix nitrogen, and create soil aggregates, all while you’re growing cash crops above them. The system is designed to stack functions: erosion control, habitat for predatory insects, continuous root activity feeding fungi, and a steady supply of carbon to increase organic matter percentages year over year.<\/p>\n

\n
Living Mulch<\/dt>\n
A low-growing perennial or self-seeding annual planted between crop rows or under taller plants to provide continuous ground cover, weed suppression, and biological activity throughout the growing season.<\/dd>\n
Cover Crop Residue<\/dt>\n
The above-ground biomass left on the soil surface after a cover crop is terminated by rolling, mowing, or winter-kill, creating a protective mat that decomposes slowly and feeds soil organisms.<\/dd>\n
Biological Mulch<\/dt>\n
Any mulch material, living plants or fresh residues, that actively supports microbial life, nutrient cycling, and root-soil interactions rather than simply acting as a physical barrier.<\/dd>\n
Soil Armor<\/dt>\n
A protective layer of plant material covering the soil to prevent erosion, moderate temperature swings, and reduce evaporation, mimicking natural forest floor conditions.<\/dd>\n
Carbon-Positive Mulching<\/dt>\n
Mulching practices that sequester more atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis and root deposition than they release through decomposition, contributing to long-term soil carbon gains.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

For regenerative farmers in Alberta, eco mulching bridges the gap between theoretical soil health principles<\/a> and practical fieldwork. You’re not adding external inputs or mining fertility from somewhere else. You’re working with photosynthesis, root biology, and decomposition, natural processes that build rather than extract. The goal isn’t just healthier soil for this season; it’s a system that gets more resilient and productive over time, storing carbon, retaining more rainfall, and reducing your dependence on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides.<\/p>\n

How Eco Mulching Systems Work<\/h2>\n
\n \"Living
A living cover and mulch layer demonstrates eco mulching\u2019s \u201csoil armor\u201d effect in a real Prairie field setting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Living Layer: Plant-Based Mulch<\/h3>\n

Living plant mulch works fundamentally differently than cut straw or wood chips because it actively feeds the soil while protecting it. Low-growing species like white clover, creeping thyme, or hairy vetch create a dense canopy close to the ground, shading out weeds and holding moisture, but they’re also photosynthesizing, fixing nitrogen, and pumping sugars into the root zone every day they’re alive.<\/p>\n

The nitrogen fixation piece matters most for Alberta grain and vegetable growers. Leguminous living mulches, clover varieties especially, host rhizobia bacteria in root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms. A well-established white clover understory can fix 80 to 150 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare annually, reducing synthetic fertilizer needs without the timing gamble of pre-plant cover crop termination. The nitrogen becomes available gradually as older roots slough off and decompose, matching crop uptake patterns better than a single spring application.<\/p>\n

Root exudates are the hidden value. Living mulch roots secrete sugars, amino acids, and organic acids that feed fungi and bacteria around the root zone. These microbes build soil structure, cycle nutrients, and protect against pathogens. Research from Canadian regenerative farms shows measurable increases in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi populations under perennial living mulches compared to bare soil rotations, fungi that extend nutrient reach for both the mulch and the cash crop above.<\/p>\n

The trade-off is managing competition. Mulch species must stay low and non-aggressive, which is why variety selection and mowing timing matter as much as the planting itself.<\/p>\n

The Residue Layer: From Cover to Compost<\/h3>\n

When a cover crop is terminated, whether by crimping, mowing, winter-kill, or herbicide, it doesn’t disappear. Instead, it becomes an active biological asset on the soil surface. This residue layer initiates a controlled decomposition process that feeds soil organisms while protecting the ground beneath.<\/p>\n

The moment plant tissue hits the soil, microbial populations respond. Bacteria and fungi colonize the fresh material, breaking down simple sugars first, then cellulose and lignin over weeks and months. This gradual decomposition releases nutrients in sync with crop needs rather than all at once. A rye cover crop terminated in spring, for example, can supply nitrogen to a following cash crop throughout the growing season as microbes mineralize plant proteins.<\/p>\n

The physical presence of residue matters as much as its chemistry. A thick mat of flattened biomass shields soil from raindrop impact, slows water runoff, and keeps surface temperatures more stable, cooler in summer heat, warmer during spring freezes. Earthworms and ground beetles shelter underneath, pulling fragments into the soil profile and creating channels that improve water infiltration.<\/p>\n

Over successive seasons, this process builds soil organic matter. Each terminated cover adds carbon-rich material to the system. Some decomposes quickly, feeding the active biology. Some transforms into stable humus, the long-term reservoir of carbon and nutrients that defines healthy soil. This is nutrient cycling<\/a> in practice, plants capturing atmospheric carbon and soil nutrients, then releasing them back through decomposition in a form other plants can use.<\/p>\n

The key is maintaining continuity. When residue layers stack year after year without tillage disruption, the soil becomes a biological factory running on plant power.<\/p>\n

Forms of Eco Mulching in Canadian Agriculture<\/h2>\n

Perennial Living Mulch Systems<\/h3>\n
\n \"Close-up
Close-up soil texture highlights how eco mulching feeds soil biology through organic residue and active roots.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Perennial living mulch systems use hardy, low-growing plants that establish once and persist for several years, creating permanent ground cover between crop rows or beneath taller plants. White clover and creeping thyme are classic choices for Alberta conditions, along with birdsfoot trefoil and Roman chamomile in milder microclimates.<\/p>\n

These perennials work particularly well in orchards, berry patches, and market garden layouts with consistent row spacing. The plants suppress weeds through dense coverage while fixing nitrogen (in the case of legumes) and protecting soil year-round. Unlike annual covers, they don’t require yearly replanting, making them ideal for permanent or semi-permanent cropping systems.<\/p>\n

Establishment takes patience. Most perennial mulches need a full season to develop robust root systems before they effectively suppress weeds. During this phase, some hand-weeding or mowing may be necessary to prevent competition with young trees or berry canes.<\/p>\n

The key is selecting species that stay low, typically under 15 centimeters, and tolerate foot traffic and occasional mowing. White clover handles cold Prairie winters reliably, regrowing vigorously each spring. Creeping thyme thrives in drier, well-drained areas and tolerates light trampling in pathways. Both feed pollinators during bloom periods, adding biodiversity benefits beyond soil protection.<\/p>\n

Annual Interseeded Cover Crops<\/h3>\n

Annual cover crops interseeded into standing cash crops offer grain and oilseed farmers a practical entry point for eco mulching without sacrificing field time. The technique involves broadcasting fast-establishing species, typically red clover, alsike clover, or annual ryegrass, into cereals during the boot to early heading stage, or into canola at early pod set. The cash crop canopy provides initial weed suppression while the cover establishes beneath it.<\/p>\n

Timing proves critical on the Prairies. Seed too early and the cover competes for moisture during grain fill; too late and establishment suffers before harvest. Most Alberta operators target a three-to-four-week window when the cash crop has enough canopy to shade weeds but still allows light penetration for germination below.<\/p>\n

After harvest, the established cover continues growing, protecting bare soil through fall and providing spring residue. In cereal rotations, frost-tender species like oats or field peas can be interseeded to winter-kill naturally, creating ready-made mulch for no-till canola or pulses the following spring.<\/p>\n

The method requires no additional tillage pass and minimal seed cost, typically $15 to $25 per acre, making it accessible for farms testing regenerative practices within conventional rotations.<\/p>\n

Terminated Cover Residue Mulch<\/h3>\n

Cover crops grown purely for biomass, think cereal rye, oats, field peas, or radish blends, offer Alberta farmers a straightforward path into eco mulching. The strategy is simple: establish a dense stand in fall or early spring, let it accumulate above-ground mass, then terminate it before seed set. Termination methods vary by species and timing. Winter-kill crops like oats die naturally when temperatures drop below -15\u00b0C, leaving a protective mat by spring. Cold-hardy species require mechanical intervention: a roller-crimper flattens standing rye at anthesis, crimping stems to stop regrowth while keeping roots intact. Mowing works for shorter covers, though residue distribution matters, clumps create bare patches while even spread maintains soil contact.<\/p>\n

The resulting mulch layer, often 10 to 20 centimetres thick, becomes the foundation for no-till mulch systems<\/a>. Plant directly into the residue using specialized openers that slice through organic matter without plugging. The thick mat suppresses weeds by blocking light, retains soil moisture through reduced evaporation, and moderates temperature swings that stress emerging seedlings. As the carbon-rich material decomposes over the growing season, it feeds soil fungi and builds stable organic matter. Timing is critical in short Prairie seasons: terminate too early and weeds fill gaps; too late and moisture depletion affects the cash crop. Most Alberta growers target termination two to three weeks before planting, balancing decomposition speed with soil warming needs.<\/p>\n

Where Eco Mulching Fits on Regenerative Farms<\/h2>\n
\n \"Garden
Seedlings growing directly through a thick mulch layer show how residue protects the soil while allowing crops to establish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eco mulching adapts to virtually every farm enterprise in the Canadian Prairies, though the specific approach varies with crops, scale, and management goals. The technique serves regenerative principles differently across farm types, but consistently reduces tillage, feeds soil biology, and builds resilience.<\/p>\n

In Field Crop Operations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grain and oilseed farms implement eco mulching primarily through terminated cover residue systems. A common approach involves seeding a diverse cover mix, such as fall rye, hairy vetch, and radish, immediately after wheat or canola harvest. The cover grows through fall, overwinters, then resumes growth in spring before termination via roller-crimper or mower. The resulting mat provides thick surface protection for no-till planting of the next cash crop, typically soybeans or lentils. This system addresses two major regenerative goals: it keeps living roots feeding soil fungi through extended periods, and the surface residue dramatically reduces wind erosion during Alberta’s dry springs. Farmers report needing 30-40% less herbicide in subsequent crops due to weed suppression from the mulch layer, while soil organic matter climbs measurably within three years.<\/p>\n

In Market Gardens and Horticulture<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetable growers and small-scale horticulture operations favor living mulch systems that stay active throughout the growing season. White clover interplanted between tomato rows or low-growing thyme under berry bushes creates continuous ground cover that moderates soil temperature during Prairie temperature swings and fixes nitrogen directly at plant roots. This approach fits intensive production where every square meter must produce, and the living mulch occupies space that would otherwise require cultivation or plastic mulch. Market gardeners in southern Alberta report cutting irrigation frequency by half compared to bare-soil beds, a critical advantage during increasingly common drought periods. The living layer also provides habitat for beneficial insects that control aphids and other vegetable pests.<\/p>\n

In Mixed Livestock Operations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Farms integrating animals with crops use eco mulching to connect both enterprises. Cattle or sheep graze cover crop stands in fall, trampling residue into soil while depositing manure, then the remaining plant material mulches the ground through winter and spring. This mob-grazing approach to cover management eliminates termination costs while feeding livestock and building soil simultaneously. Some producers grow tall covers like sorghum-sudangrass as summer mulch in rest paddocks, allowing the plant mass to collapse naturally and feed soil biology during the recovery period between grazing rotations. The system turns what conventional farms treat as separate operations, cover cropping, grazing, and mulching, into a single integrated practice.<\/p>\n

Eco Mulching in Action: Alberta Case Studies<\/h2>\n

Three Alberta farms demonstrate how eco mulching translates from concept to working practice across different enterprises and scales.<\/p>\n

At Clearwater Grain near Lacombe, Matt Henriksen shifted 40 acres of spring wheat to a hairy vetch and fall rye cover crop system in 2021. He seeded the cover mix in late August immediately after wheat harvest, let it establish through fall, then terminated it with a roller-crimper the following May before no-till drilling his next wheat crop into the thick residue mat. “Year one was humbling,” Henriksen says. “I miscalculated termination timing and the vetch came back, competing with the wheat for three weeks.” By year two, he adjusted to terminate at early flowering rather than full bloom, preventing regrowth. Soil organic matter in the trial acres increased from 3.2% to 3.8% over three seasons, and Henriksen documented a 30% reduction in spring irrigation needs compared to adjacent conventional fields. He attributes the moisture retention to the dense surface mulch, which reduced evaporation during Alberta’s dry May and June periods.<\/p>\n

Riverbend Market Garden in Strathcona County took a different approach with perennial living mulch between vegetable rows. Owner Sarah Kwan established white clover alleys in her half-acre intensive beds, mowing the clover monthly during the growing season to keep it low and deposit nitrogen-rich clippings in place. “The clover eliminated our between-row weeding completely and gave us a clean walking surface after rain,” Kwan notes. She tracked soil temperature under the clover mulch versus bare pathways, finding the mulched areas stayed 4\u00b0C cooler during July heat waves, protecting shallow vegetable roots. Nitrogen availability proved tricky initially, spring soil tests showed the clover fixed nitrogen but released it slowly, requiring Kwan to supplement with fish emulsion early in the season until the clover-crop synchronization improved.<\/p>\n

Prairie Sky Ranch near Red Deer integrated eco mulching with rotational grazing by using cattle to terminate fall-seeded cover crops in spring, creating hoof-pressed residue mulch for building Prairie soil<\/a> health in pasture transition zones. Ranch manager Tom Bergman runs his herd across cover crop strips for 24-hour pulses, allowing animals to trample 70% of the biomass while consuming the rest. “We get manure, impact, and a thick mulch layer all at once,” Bergman explains. Subsequent grazing rotations<\/a> avoid the mulched strips for 60 days, letting the residue decompose and feed soil biology before replanting to perennial forage. Bergman measured a 15% increase in water infiltration rates in these mulched transition zones compared to standard pasture.<\/p>\n

All three operations started small, test strips, single fields, controlled trials, before scaling up, consistently emphasizing observation and adaptation over rigid adherence to textbook methods.<\/p>\n

Getting Started with Eco Mulching<\/h2>\n
\n \"Farmer
Field-scale planting equipment beside a residue-covered system connects eco mulching to real implementation on farms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting an eco mulching system on your farm doesn’t require a complete operation overhaul. Most successful Alberta farmers begin with a small test plot, half an acre to two acres, where they can observe results without major risk.<\/p>\n

Choose Species That Survive Prairie Conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your first decision centres on plant selection matched to your climate zone and crop rotation. For southern Alberta fields with longer frost-free periods, annual ryegrass or hairy vetch work well as living mulches that winter-kill reliably. In parkland regions, select hardier options like red clover or alsike clover that tolerate cooler temperatures. For perennial systems in orchards or berry operations, white clover establishes quickly and fixes nitrogen without competing aggressively. Always source seed adapted to your hardiness zone, importing varieties rated for milder climates wastes money and time.<\/p>\n

Test germination rates before committing to large quantities. Prairie seed may sit in bins through cold winters, affecting viability.<\/p>\n

Time Establishment to Your Cropping Calendar<\/strong><\/p>\n

Living mulches need establishment windows that don’t conflict with cash crop management. Frost-seeding clovers into cereal stubble in early March takes advantage of freeze-thaw cycles for seed-soil contact. For terminated cover residue systems, seed your cover crop immediately after harvest, late August for winter rye that builds biomass before snow, or early September for winter-hardy peas and oats.<\/p>\n

Interseeding annual mulches into standing crops works best at the last cultivation pass, typically when cereals reach the four-leaf stage and row middles are still accessible.<\/p>\n

Manage the Transition Year Expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your first season focuses on establishment, not perfection. Expect some weed pressure as the mulch layer develops, this is normal. Monitor soil moisture closely since young living mulches do compete for water until roots establish deep enough to tap subsoil reserves. Many farmers reduce seeding rates by twenty percent in year one to minimize competition.<\/p>\n

Track Progress with Simple Soil Metrics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Measure baseline soil organic matter, aggregate stability, and water infiltration before starting, then retest after two full growing seasons. Simple field tests work: time how long it takes a shallow hole to drain after heavy rain, or dig up a spade of soil and count earthworms per cubic foot. Farms typically see measurable improvements in water infiltration within eighteen months and organic matter gains of 0.3 to 0.5 percent after three years of consistent eco mulching.<\/p>\n

Common Questions About Eco Mulching<\/h2>\n

Farmers considering eco mulching often share similar practical concerns rooted in decades of conventional management. These questions reflect real operational considerations, and addressing them head-on helps demystify the transition to regenerative mulch systems.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Does living mulch compete with my cash crops for nutrients and water?<\/h4>\n

Competition depends on species selection, planting density, and timing. Low-growing, shallow-rooted mulches like white clover or creeping thyme cause minimal competition when established properly, and their nitrogen fixation often benefits cash crops. Strategic mowing or timing establishment after crop canopy closure further reduces competition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

How do I prevent nitrogen tie-up when residue mulch breaks down?<\/h4>\n

Use cover crops with a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio below 25:1, terminate at flowering rather than full maturity, and allow 2-3 weeks between termination and planting for initial decomposition. Interseeding legumes into your cover mix provides nitrogen to balance carbon-rich residues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

What equipment modifications do I need for no-till planting into mulch?<\/h4>\n

Most modern no-till drills handle moderate residue without modification. For heavy mulch, coulter attachments help cut through material, and adjusting down-pressure on row cleaners prevents hair-pinning. Some Alberta farmers successfully use standard equipment by managing mulch thickness through termination timing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Will living mulches survive Prairie winters?<\/h4>\n

Hardy perennials like white clover, alsike clover, and birdsfoot trefoil consistently overwinter across Alberta when established by mid-August. Annual mulches are typically winter-killed, which suits farmers wanting residue cover without spring competition. Choose species rated to Zone 3 or colder for reliable performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The cost question deserves deeper consideration. Upfront expenses for cover crop seed and potential yield adjustments during transition can be offset within two to three years through reduced fertilizer needs, lower fuel costs from fewer tillage passes, and improved water retention that buffers dry years. Alberta farmers report typical seed costs between fifteen and forty dollars per acre depending on species, with legume-grass mixes at the higher end. The return comes gradually through soil health improvements rather than immediate cash savings.<\/p>\n

Weed pressure shifts rather than disappears with eco mulching. Dense living mulch or thick residue suppresses annual weeds effectively by blocking light and occupying space, but perennial weeds require attention before establishing mulch systems. Some farmers find they trade tillage-based weed control for strategic mowing or spot treatment, which reduces soil disturbance overall while requiring different management skills. The transition period tests patience, but most report easier weed management once mulch systems mature and outcompete opportunistic species.<\/p>\n

Eco mulching offers Canadian farmers a practical, low-barrier entry into regenerative agriculture that addresses immediate challenges while building long-term resilience. Whether you’re managing grain rotations on the Prairies, running a market garden, or transitioning livestock systems, the principles remain consistent: protect soil, feed biology, reduce inputs, and let living systems do more of the work.<\/p>\n

Starting small makes sense. A quarter-section trial with interseeded clover, a few vegetable beds with terminated cover residue, or strategic living mulch strips in an orchard, each gives you direct experience without overhauling your entire operation. Measure what matters: soil organic matter trends, infiltration rates, input costs per acre, and time spent on weed management. These numbers tell you whether the system pays, both ecologically and economically.<\/p>\n

Climate resilience isn’t abstract anymore in Alberta. The droughts<\/a>, early frosts, and unpredictable springs we’ve seen make soil health insurance, not philosophy. Eco mulching buffers against temperature extremes, captures and holds moisture during dry spells, and maintains productivity when conventional systems struggle. Farms with established living mulch and thick residue layers consistently outperform bare-soil operations during stress periods.<\/p>\n

You don’t need to figure this out alone. Alberta’s regenerative farming community has been testing these systems for years, sharing what works in our specific conditions and what doesn’t. Reach out to the networks already in place, practical experience from neighbours who farm similar soil types and climate zones beats generic advice every time.<\/p>\n

The transition takes patience and observation, but eco mulching rewards farmers willing to work with biology rather than constantly fighting it. Start where it makes sense for your operation, track your results honestly, and adjust as you learn what thrives in your specific context.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eco mulching is the practice of using living plants as a ground cover beneath or between cash crops to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and build organic matter without relying on synthetic herbicides or petroleum-based plastic mulch. Instead of bare soil or plastic sheeting, farmers establish perennial or self-seeding species that form a living carpet, often cut back or mown at strategic times to minimize competition while delivering the protective benefits of traditional mulch. This approach aligns closely with …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4880,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-regenerative-agriculture-practices"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Is Eco Mulching (and How Does It Work in Regenerative Systems)? - Organics Farming, The Canadian Way<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/organicagcentre.ca\/uncategorized\/what-is-eco-mulching-and-how-does-it-work-in-regenerative-systems\/\" \>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is eco mulching (and how does it work in regenerative systems)? 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