What is a living mulch?

• A. A growth regulator
• B. A compost blend used as mulch
• C. A synthetic plastic tarp used for weed suppression
• D. A living ground cover that suppresses weeds and improves soil health

Answer: (D)

A living mulch is a plant-based ground cover grown between or around crops that acts as mulch by shading the soil, reducing weed growth, and contributing to soil health. It competes with weeds for light and nutrients, helps conserve moisture, and, as it grows and decomposes, adds organic matter that can improve soil structure and fertility—especially if the species is a legume and can fix atmospheric nitrogen. This is why the living option best fits the term: it stays alive as a living layer rather than being a chemical, a nonliving mulch, or a plastic tarp.