Abstract: The effects of different organic matter covers on soil physicalchemical properties were investigated in a ‘Hanfu’ apple orchard located in a cold region. Four treatments were applied (weed mulching, rice straw mulching, corn straw mulching, and crushed branches mulching), and physicalchemical properties, including orchard soil moisture and nutrient contents, were compared among treatment groups and between organic mattertreated and untreated plots. The results showed that soil water content increased in the plots treated with organic matter mulching, especially in the arid season. Cover with organic matter mulch slowed  the rate of soil temperature increase in spring, which was harmful to the early growth of fruit trees. Organic matter mulching treatments decreased the peak temperature of orchard soil in the summer and increased the minimum soil temperature in the fall. pH was increased in soils treated with organic matter mulching, especially in the corn straw mulching treatment, which occurred as a response to alleviating soil acidification to achieve nearneutral soil conditions. The soil organic matter increased to varying extents among treatment groups, with the highest increase observed in the weed mulching treatment. Overall, mulching increased alkalihydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the soil, but the alkalihydrolyzable nitrogen content in the rice straw mulching treatment was lower than that of the control.