Plastic mulch polythene paper with UV treatment by Grekkon Limited is used widely in Kenya by farmers growing crops in the open field or in the greenhouse. Our plastic mulch is an effective way of water conservation, weed suppression, and raising soil temperature. Our silver on black plastic mulch paper is available as; 23, 30, 60, and 80 microns with varying widths and lengths.

A young strawberry crop in a tunnel house whose roof is polythene, one side is covered with a shade net to prevent strong wind, and the longer side with a bird net to allow insect pollination while keeping bird pests at bay. Location: Jua Kali area, Laikipia county

The choice of thickness is a factor of crop location, a grower’s budget, and the number of seasons it is intended for use. Plastic mulching in vegetables is a common practice for high-value crops. We do not use clear plastic mulch because of the high temperatures in the tropics. Plastic mulch without drip irrigation is used too

Our widths are; 1M, 1.2M and 1.6M according to the mulch paper thickness. The black part remains underneath to preserve soil warmth, and the silver part goes on the outside to reflect excessive heat. Light reflected by the silver side is a repellent to many insect pests too

Mulch paper’s advantage over organic mulch is that it does not provide a hiding place for insect pests, and is re-usable over subsequent seasons. This is important in tropical regions where agriculture pest infestation is huge due to high temperatures through out the year.

1. 30 micron Kes 18 per M square
2. 60 micron Kes 30 per M square
3. 70 micron Kes 40 per M square

Polythene mulch paper is available in our Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, Meru and Nyahururu stores in Kenya. Our technical and agronomy team provide professional advise to growers on the appropriate thickness to us, and how to use it well

i. What is purpose of mulching paper?

1. To retain soil moisture by preventing moisture loss through evaporation
2. To prevent weed growth

Mulching accelerates crop growth due to mositure retention, and better feeding 9reduced competition for food and light with weeds). This cuts the time the crop remains in the field, which reduces operational costs. Better feeding equals better yield, and higher income

Silver on black mulch paper in a cropping field

The silver coloured part faces up to reflect excess heat, while the black part faces down to retain warmth

The choice of mulch paper thickness depends on;

• Crop growing duration. For short term, single or 2 season crops, a grower will pick the 30 micron paper which will last as long. For long-term crops such as bi-annuals and perennials, the farmer will install the thickest gauge
• Budget. The thicker it is, the costlier the paper

ii.How much mulching paper do I need for 1 acre?

Assume that a nacre measures 63.3M x 63.3M, with 1M wide beds, with paths of 0.5M in between. This gives a total of 42 beds, each running 63M in length. To get the total amount of mulching paper, multiply the number of beds, by the bed length and the width of the mulching paper as below;

42beds x 63.3M x 1.6M = 4,234M sq

iii. What is the cost of mulching per acre?

The cost of your mulching paper cost per acre will be 4,234M sq by the cost per meter square of your chosen thickness. These are tabulated below

Mulching paper price in Kenya

A silver on black mulching paper roll. Smaller mulching paper needs are cut from this as per the grower’s specifications

iv. Which crops need mulching?

This is for high value crops. In Kenya, examples are;

• export herbs and spices
• strawberry
• apples
• greenhouse tomato, cucumber, capsicums, and chilies

v. What are the 3 benefits of mulch?

• ensures soil moisture retention
• cuts down weeding costs
• the crops grow faster and more uniformly

vi. What is the disadvantage of mulching paper?

• it is expensive
• it is an environmental hazard after use because it has to be burned
• it does not allow in rain water, so the crop is fully reliant on irrigation

vii. Which is the best mulching paper?

The thicker it is, the longer it lasts. However, budget considerations are made based on how long the cropping season is, and the need to mulch in the next season

viii. What are the 2 types of mulch?

• organic mulch. This is from crop waste and grass straw
• inorganic mulch. This is made from plastic (LDPE)

Organic mulch from grass straw in a strawberry field

ix. How long does plastic mulch last?

Depending on the thickness, it is as follows

30 microns; 2-3 cropping seasons

60 micron; 4-5 cropping seasons

70 micron; > 6 cropping seasons

x. How do you install mulching paper?

• prepare the land to a fine tilth
• make raised beds, and remove any large soil clods. These will cause air trapping in the paper
•  cover the top and sides of the bed with the mulching paper
• perforate holes on the plastic mulch where the crop will be planted

xi. When should you use mulching paper?

• When growing high value crops such as; strawberry, coloured bell peppers, greenhouse tomato, herbs and spices
• If there is insufficient or expensive irrigation water. Mulching will conserve moisture in the soil, reducing irrigation water costs dramatically
• If there is a high prevalence of stubborn weeds. Mulc paper will suppress their growth

Herbs growing in a greenhouse under plastic mulch paper

xii. What is plastic mulchpaper made of?

Polyethylene

xiii. What is an alternative to mulching paper?

Organic mulch. This is from straw, leaves, shredded bark, shredded newspaper, hay, sawdust or wood chips, cardboard, manure, or other organic matter

xiv. How thick is mulching paper?

Grekkon Limited supplies 30 microns, 60 microns, 70 microns, and 80 microns plastic mulch paper

Our mulching paper price in Kenya is similar across all our branches in Athi River, Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, and Nyahururu