An agroforestry and permaculture practice where plants are slashed to the ground, but their roots are left intact in the soil. The cut biomass is left exactly where it falls to act as a green manure mulch, retaining moisture and suppressing weeds. Meanwhile, the dying roots decompose underground, adding organic matter and creating channels for water infiltration.
We'll do a chop and drop on the comfrey next week before it goes to seed to build up the soil around the fruit trees.
Fast-growing, nutrient-dense plants like comfrey or nitrogen-fixing legumes are the most common species used for this method.
Related terms
Living mulch
A low-growing cover crop planted alongside a main crop to suppress weeds and protect the soil.
Permaculture
A design approach to agriculture that mimics natural ecosystems to create self-sustaining landscapes.
Mulch
A protective layer of material spread over the soil surface to retain moisture and suppress weeds.