• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Edible Learning Lab
  • Home
  • Start

    Essential Reading

    Program Overview

    The broad strokes of the Edible Learning Lab Program.

    Teachers Primer

    A guide to help teachers visualize their edible education program.

    Farmers Primer

    Learn how to turn your farm into an edible classroom.

    Organizations Primer

    Discover how you can bring edible education into your community.

    Grants & Funding

    There are numerous grants and funding sources to get you started.

    Equipment Recommendations

    Buy the same equipment we use in our flagship Lab.

    The Legal Stuff

    Privacy Policy

    Terms and Conditions

  • Lessons

    Advanced Lesson Search

    Beginner Lessons

    The Beginner Lessons form the foundation with a sound overview of the core concepts of food production.

    Intermediate Lessons

    The Intermediate Lessons allow students to experiment and prove the core concepts.

    Advanced Lessons

    The Advanced Lessons give students an opportunity to apply what they've learned in the previous levels.

    Lessons By Station

    Seed Starting Curriculum

    Soil Management Curriculum

    Vermiculture Curriculum

    Hydroponics Curriculum

    Composting Curriculum

    Water Management Curriculum

    Seed Saving Curriculum

    Teaching Kitchen Curriculum

  • Blog

    Our Top Posts

    What is a Food Desert?

    Gain insight into food deserts, the communities they impact, and how edible education may offer a solution.

    The Difference Between Rainwater and Tap Water

    Not all water is created equal especially when we're talking about the health and development of plants and people.

    Why Rain is Important

    Rain or the lack of an adequate supply can have profound effects on farming and the communities that rely on the harvest.

    Anatomy of a Seed

    It all begins with a seed and this article dives deep into the 5 primary parts of the seed that make it all possible.

Cover Up!

Cover Up!

Mystery of Mulching
Lesson: 2.13
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Soil Management
Format: Experiment
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 2.13 Cover Up

Lesson Overview

Mulching helps to retain moisture in the soil that would otherwise evaporate and maintain lower soil temperatures. In this lesson, students will compare mulched and unmulched soil to observe the impact first-hand.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe the process of mulching and the benefits it provides to the growing process.

Outcomes

Students will compare mulched and unmulched soil in order to determine the impact mulching has on soil moisture retention.

Teach the Teacher

  • Types of Mulch

Tools & Materials

  • Moisture meter
  • Mulch
  • Fallow raised planter or garden bed

Activity

The growing process is both complex and simple at the same time. The chemistry, biology, and physics that govern the growing process can be staggeringly complex. On the other hand, processes like watering, germination, and mulching can be reduced to very simple processes.

The key, of course, is hands-on experimentation to unlock the mystery of these processes. Once a beginning gardener has witnessed the process unfold firsthand it becomes less daunting, opening the door for self-confidence.

Hands on experience is the cornerstone to learning in the Lab. To better understand the benefits of mulching as a mechanism to control moisture loss, students will conduct an experiment to unlock the mystery of mulching.

Test mulched soil and unmulched soil to determine how much less water the mulched soil requires over a 7, 14, and 30 day period. A fallow raised planter or garden bed divided in half would provide the perfect backdrop.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

This lesson, and all other lessons on this website, are intended for use by teachers in the classroom. These lessons are protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of lesson content, supporting materials, or digital creative is prohibited with written permission from Modern Steader LLC.

« Moving Day! » Mystery Diners

Primary Sidebar

Search All Lessons

Our Lessons are organized into three levels. With our Detailed Search, you can drill down to the Lessons you need most.

Filter by Lesson Number, format, keyword, or rating.

  • Search Beginner Lessons
  • Search Intermediate Lessons
  • Search Advanced Lessons

© 2022 Edible Learning Lab | Site by Vestor Logic