By Shelby Carroll N.C. Cooperative Extension As agriculture continues to evolve, more farmers are turning to plasticulture — ...

Consumers are sometimes shocked to find that organic standards allow for the use of plastic mulch on organic farms. After all plastic polymers are synthetic petrochemical products and not “natural”.

are plastic sheets that are spread over the soil to serve as a sort of plastic mulch. They suppress the growth of weeds, increase fertiliser uptake, regulate temperature and humidity, and protect ...

But the widespread use of plastic mulch poses a problem. Plastic used on farms is typically difficult and expensive to recycle because it becomes contaminated with soil, pesticides and fertiliser.

But the widespread use of plastic mulch poses a problem. Plastic used on farms is typically difficult and expensive to recycle because it becomes contaminated with soil, pesticides and fertiliser.