05. Mulching

To prevent soil erosion, prevent evaporation and provide some shade for the young plants, Tephrosia candida, Crotalaria anagyroides or Crotalaria usaramoensis are often sown between the rows of tea. The cuttings of these leguminous plants or those of Guatemala grass (Tripsacum laxum), mana grass Cymbopogon confertiflorus, citronella Cymbopogon wintarianus, placed alongside the tea plants also serve to provide mulch for moisture conservation and to control erosion and weed growth.

Other crops, which can be used in a young tea plantation, include oats, Napier grass, water hyacinth or maize stalks. The mulch should not touch the stems of the tea, as this will encourage weevils and dusty brown beetles. Also it tends to get hot and can kill the tender stem tissues of the plant. Another advantage of mulching is the release of nutrients during decomposition of the mulch.