The black plastic mulch serves five purposes:
- It keeps weeds under control (and thus saves labor).
- It reduces bugs and pathogens.
- It keeps the soil moist.
- It absorbs heat from the sun and helps warm the roots, which means faster growth.
- It stops erosion. (The strawberry industry loses $2.8 billion worth of soil each year, according to our tour guide.)
This photo shows Swanton's Coastways Ranch U-pick. It's right by the ocean, about eight miles north of the farm stand.