Mulching plays a critical role in successful garlic farming, offering numerous benefits that directly impact yield, plant health, and soil conservation throughout the growing season.
According to Seperanza Kenyena, a garlic farmer from Isingiro district, mulching helps to reduce losses due to moisture loss and weed pressure.
“I used to water my garlic every two days during the dry season, but after introducing dry grass mulch, I only water twice a week. The garlic bulbs now develop bigger and healthier,” she says.
Twaha Kakooza, another farmer from Kayunga, adds that mulching also acts as a barrier against pests and diseases. “Some pests don’t easily reach the soil surface where garlic is planted because of the mulch layer. Plus, it keeps the soil temperature stable, which is very important for good bulb formation,” he explains.
Benon Kisomose, an agronomist, emphasises the technical reasons why mulching garlic is crucial.
“Garlic is shallow-rooted and sensitive to soil moisture changes. A good mulch layer, 3 to 5 cm thick, made from organic materials like dry grass, banana leaves, or coffee husks helps retain consistent soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and minimises weed competition,” Kisomose advises.
He notes that mulching also helps prevent soil erosion and compaction, especially during the rainy season.
From a technical perspective, mulching should be applied immediately after planting or after the garlic shoots emerge. It should not be too thick to avoid creating a breeding ground for fungal infections. Kisomose warns that poor mulching practices, such as using wet or rotting mulch, can lead to diseases like white rot.
