Bare soil is exposed soil. Covering it protects it from sun, wind, and heavy rain.
Soil that is covered by living plants, mulch, or plant residue loses less water and less topsoil than bare ground. Nature rarely leaves soil bare for long, and a covered surface is the easiest first step toward healthier soil.
Why it matters
Rain hitting bare soil can break up its surface and seal it into a crust, so water runs off instead of soaking in.
Sun and wind dry the surface quickly and can carry fine soil away.
Cover keeps the soil cooler in summer and less prone to freezing and thawing swings in winter.
As mulch and residue break down, they feed the organisms that live in the soil.
Ways to cover soil
Mulch: straw, shredded leaves, wood chips, or finished compost, spread a few inches deep.
Plant residue: leave stalks and roots of finished crops in place where you can, instead of clearing everything.
Cover crops: a living cover grown for the soil rather than for harvest.
Plants close together: a dense planting shades the soil around it.
Things to watch
Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks, where it can hold moisture against the bark.
Very thick mulch can shelter slugs or voles. Check now and then.
Mulch put on cold, wet soil in early spring can slow warming. Wait until it has warmed up.
Recommendations vary by climate, soil, and growing system. When in doubt, try one bed first and compare it to a bed you left alone.
Recommendations that use this idea
Cover bare beds with shredded leaves
Well establishedLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Covered soil loses less moisture and topsoil over winter, and the leaves feed soil organisms as they break down.
Cover bare gaps between plants
Practical experienceLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Open ground between plants is where weeds take hold and where rain can crust the surface.
Keep bare ground covered through winter
Well establishedLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Bare winter soil is exposed to wind, rain, and freeze-thaw, which break up its structure and carry soil away.
Keep rain from hitting bare soil
Practical experienceLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Raindrops landing on bare ground can seal the surface into a crust. Water then runs off instead of soaking in. Cover cushions the soil, so the surface stays open.
Mulch once the soil has warmed up
Well establishedLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Mulch slows evaporation and keeps weeds down, but putting it on cold soil can slow spring warming.
Mulch to keep soil moist in hot weather
Well establishedLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
A mulch layer shades the soil, which reduces water loss and helps soil life stay active in the heat.
Top up mulch where it has thinned
Practical experienceLow effortNot yet reviewed by an expert
Mulch breaks down through the season. Thin spots lose their moisture and weed-suppression benefits.
These appear in your plan when they fit your growing space and the season. Open My Soil.