The invention relates to a ground cover in the form of a mulch, comprising a paper substrate originating from fibre-bearing pulp, preferably emanating from lignocellulosic material, which has been web-formed or sheet-formed. Paper based mulches face problems with biodegradability and microbial attacks, mechanical strength and cost. The solution according to the invention is that the fibres have been coated with one or more minerals, e.g., calcium carbonate, and the mulch comprises one or more functional agents, e.g., a colorant. Further, the mineral coated onto or into the fibres predominantly show up when precipitated in the form of one or more metal carbonates.