Shredded Cardboard Mulch Project

An investigation of a mulch product made from a recycled materials with the intent that urban growers can grow in a more climate responsive way without high costs.

The mulch problem

Mulching is utilized by urban growers to build soil health, mitigate weed pressure, and reduce water use. Despite these benefits, many mulching materials have become too expensive for growers to purchase and transport in the quantities required for an urban garden or farm. Shredded cardboard has been identified as a potential new mulch material that is accessible and affordable, particularly because of the increase in cardboard packaging for home delivery that emerged and stuck around after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsorship to field trial with vegetable crops

Graciously, NCR-SARE funded a 2 season project is to assess the performance of shredded cardboard mulch in vegetable cropping systems on urban farms and gardens. Evaluation of the efficacy of shredded cardboard mulch and its impact on plant health, water use, and soil fertility. Grower experience will inform mulching practice guidance. Research outcomes of this study are to increase yields while stewarding environmental resources, such as water and soil nutrients.  

Research collaboration

A group of urban grower, community gardens, and University of Minnesota researchers have formed a unique cohort of folks exploring the potential of shredded cardboard mulch together: