A secondary crop sown between the rows of a primary cash crop. It spreads over the bare soil to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and prevent erosion, functioning just like a traditional layer of dead mulch. When the main crop is harvested, the living mulch can be tilled in as green manure or left to protect the soil over winter.
Heard on the job
We're trying a white clover living mulch under the corn this year to cut down on herbicide passes.
Insider tip
Legumes like clover are popular living mulches because they fix nitrogen while suppressing weeds.