[Ground Working 101] Mulching

Welcome to the Farming Simulator Academy! Today, we show you what you need to know about mulching. They help to improve the yield. Let’s take a look.

How Mulching Works

By applying a layer of cut biological material on top of the soil, mulching improves your soil, and therefore the yield of your crops. You will gain a 2,5% bonus on your yield for the next harvest.

Tip! It’s okay not to mulch - in case, you have too much on your hands.

There are three different types of mulching in Farming Simulator. The tools are found in the mulchers category of the shop.

• You can use a mulcher on any crop that leaves stubble: Wheat, barley, oat, sorghum, sunflowers, soybeans and corn. Use it after harvesting, but BEFORE you cultivate the field. 
• When growing grape vines or olive groves, you mulch AFTER cultivating and grass has begun to grow again some time later. You basically cut back the grass to prevent weed growth and avoiding a yield penalty. Also, you make everything look nice and clean, which is essential for proper vineyards.
• There’s also a forestry mulcher in the forestry equipment category of the shop. This one is used to remove bushes, branches and tree stumps after harvesting wood. 

How to Use Mulchers

Using a mulcher is fairly easy. You attach it to your tractor, lower it and turn it on. Just drive over the stubble, grass or branches and bushes. The material will get cut and applied to the surface of the fields.

Tip! You can attach a mulcher in front of the tractor, too. Attach a cultivator at the same time in the back, and you can do both steps in one turn!

If you mulched the stubble or left-over crops on the field, you can proceed with the usual steps to grow new crops. When you harvest the next time, your crops will gain the yield bonus for mulching. 

Well done!

Congratulations, you now know the most important facts about mulching. Take your time and start on the next lesson, when you’re ready. Stay with the Farming Simulator Academy and you become a top-notch virtual farmer in no time!