Growers place a layer of stones over the root zone of crops to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture. The stones absorb solar heat during the day and release it at night, which protects sensitive plants from frost. They also suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion from heavy rain or wind.
Heard on the job
The vineyard relies on stone mulching to keep the roots warm through the cool nights and speed up ripening.
Also heard as
- lithic mulch