Sheet mulching

In permaculture, sheet mulching is an agricultural no-dig gardening technique that attempts to mimic the natural soil-building process in forests.

When deployed properly and in combination with other permaculture principles, it can generate healthy, productive, and low maintenance ecosystems.

[1][2] Sheet mulching, also known as composting in place, mimics nature by breaking down organic material from the topmost layers down.

The simplest form of sheet mulching consists of applying a bottom layer of decomposable material, such as cardboard or newspapers, to the ground to kill existing vegetation and suppress weeds.

Sheet mulching can be applied to a lawn, a dirt lot full of perennial weeds, an area with poor soil, or even pavement or a rooftop.