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sheet mulch over frozen soil?

 
pollinator
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Location: Denver, CO
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Can you do sheet mulch over frozen or semi-frozen soil? It would be nice to do it now, while there is more time, and things are not yet a sea of mud. Also, here in Colorado the ground does not freeze deeply, and most of our rain/ snow comes in March, April and May. It would be nice to have the "sponges" of organic matter ready for this.

I could, of course, use a big sheet of builder's plastic to heat the ground.
 
Gilbert Fritz
pollinator
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So, no ideas? Will I have to experiment?
 
pollinator
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My gut feeling is that yes, it is possible, but it may stop the soil warming quickly. If you want to plant in it soon I'd be inclined to wait until the soil has warmed a little.

You could always try doing a test patch of early mulch and late mulch and see which does better. In the long run, however, both will be effective.
 
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