Both mulched treatments significantly increased the topsoil temperatures throughout the whole growing season in both years (Fig. 3). Compared with the CK treatment, the total cumulative temperature (TTSoil) was 153◦C and 219◦C higher in 2010 and 2011, respectively, for the GM treatment and was 151◦C and 176◦C higher in 2010 and 2011, respectively, for the FM treatment. The improved effects on the TTSoil between-treatment variations were substantial during different growing stages. Before mid-June, the cumulative TTSoil increased 37◦C and 41◦C for the GM treatment and 50◦C and 79◦C for the FM treatment in 2010 and 2011, respectively. However, after mid-June, the cumulative TTSoil increased by 169◦C for the GM treatment and 149◦C for the FM treatment in 2010 and by 178◦C for the GM treatment and 98◦C for the FM treatment in 2011.