Early and unexpected frosts are the most serious danger for garden plants, since they have not yet had time to adapt to low temperatures and are easily damaged. But it is very easy to insure against such unpleasant surprises - it is enough to carry out autumn mulching of trees and bushes in your garden.
Plant roots are particularly affected by frost. To protect the soil in the near-trunk circles, the soil must be shallowly dug and mulched. For this purpose, both organic and inorganic materials are used.
The former include humus, compost, spruce and pine, while the latter, in turn, include crushed stone, expanded clay, gravel and. The indisputable advantage of organic is that over time it rots, mixes with the soil and not only protects, but also nourishes the plantings.
After mulching, a mound should appear around the trunk, but not as high. This is an example of an incorrect procedure.
However, the use of acidic peat and pine needles provokes an increase in the acidity of garden soil. Therefore, trees and shrubs, which grow better on slightly acidic or even acidic soil, are mainly mulched with these substrates.
Inorganic materials are more durable, but some of them, like organics, have a significant impact on soil acidity, its mechanical and chemical composition. For example, it is recommended to cover the soil in rock gardens and rockeries with a layer of gravel and crushed limestone, because plants that prefer an alkaline environment are most often cultivated in them.
The technology of mulching garden trees and bushes is carried out as follows:
- a circle is drawn around the trunk of a tree or bush, the diameter of which is equal to half or two-thirds of the diameter of its crown.
- then, in the inner part of the circle, turf and weeds are removed, a layer of soil is taken out with a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters for shrubs and 20 to 25 centimeters for trees.
- the roots are carefully dug in, and the bottom of the pit formed is loosened with a pitchfork or.
- the surface of the earth is leveled and slightly tamped, and the pit is filled with mulching material (preferably of organic origin).
- lastly, the land previously selected from the pit is returned to the place.
Note that for coniferous crops, the diameter of the circle should be made earlier than the diameter of the crown or even more. The optimal mulching mixture for such plants is their own needles mixed with acidic peat.
Of course, in large gardens it is simply unrealistic to insulate all plants in this way, so I advise you to first protect those varieties and species that are characterized by a minimum. In addition, if the soil in your area is light and clean of weeds, then there is no need to dig a hole and choose soil from it, but just loosen it and sprinkle it with a 15-20 cm layer of mulch.
Before the onset of cold weather, every gardener thinks about how to properly prepare his site for winter. After all, each individual plant needs appropriate care, and its adequate organization is the primary task of the economic farmer. Extremely important role plays the correct insulation of trees, which can suffer from frost, strong winds and temperature changes. Let's talk on - / site / about how to prepare a trunk circle of fruit trees for the winter, and also answer the question: soil mulching - what is it?
In order to fruit trees we successfully endured the winter, we need to do something. Trees need to be treated with special preventive solutions, the near-trunk zone should also be mulched and small fences should be built near the trees. Today, the topic of our conversation will be directly the preparation of the trunk circle.
Preparing the trunk circle for winter
Before proceeding directly to the insulation of tree trunks, it is worth eliminating all weeds around them. Next, you need to dig the earth ten to fifteen centimeters deep, otherwise the weeds may well germinate in the spring. Also, such digging will help to destroy the roots close to the surface, through which frost can go deeper. Then carry out preventive treatment of boles and skeletal branches of the tree with protective solutions.
Mulching tree trunks
The most effective way to save trees in winter time mulching is considered to be the shelter of the soil surface near plants as the most different materials, which are able to regulate water and air regimes in the uppermost layers of the soil. In winter, mulch helps to reduce the depth of soil freezing. At other times of the year, such material makes it possible to retain moisture, avoid the appearance of weeds, saturate the soil with nutrients and ensure long-term friability of the soil.
Mulch or mulching material in general can be divided into two most basic groups, namely permanent and dynamic. The first group can include stone chips, gravel, as well as glass and other similar materials. They, admittedly, are characterized by more decorative qualities, although they help somewhat protect the soil. The second group is represented by foliage, peat, hay, bark (ground), sawdust, compost, etc. Such a mulch can not only protect the soil, but also effectively enrich it with useful particles.
To hide trunk circles manure and humus can be applied around trees. Also, many gardeners use spruce branches and burlap, matting and synthetic covering materials, represented by lutrasil, spunbond, etc., for this purpose. Many mulching materials can be found on the market.
Mulching trees for the winter can be done with moss. Such material is able to retain heat, so it is often used in intensive gardens. Since moss retains heat, the soil under it practically does not freeze, which is especially important for all crops with a root system located close to the surface of the earth.
After the earthen circle near the fruit trees is treated with a fungicide, it is covered with a layer of eight to ten centimeters mulch. If you prefer the use of humus and compost, the soil layer can be made thinner - about five to seven centimeters, otherwise such materials may simply rot. In severe frosts, experts strongly advise covering the mulch layer with spruce branches or sprinkling it with snow to a height of up to one meter.
by the most simple material for mulching it is worth recognizing the foliage. It perfectly helps to protect perennial trees from frosts down to -30C. It is advised to cover the root zone with foliage that has fallen from trees (extremely healthy) to a layer of twenty to thirty centimeters. Another plus of such a material is its ability to retain snow (spruce branches, etc., have such properties).
To insulate the trunk circle for the winter, materials such as felt, straw or reeds can be used. But they are most often used to wrap the tree trunk of young fruit trees. Burlap is wound over such material, and such a winding is fixed with a rope.
Additional Information
If you are going to mulch the trunk circle for the winter with sawdust, think about their origin. If such material came from furniture workshops, then it may contain a lot chemical substances. And sawdust from coniferous trees is a source of many elements that can destroy the microflora and suppress the development of other plants.
Do not forget that the preparation of fruit trees for wintering may also include the warming of tree trunks. Such manipulation will be especially necessary for young trees, whose age does not reach five years, because they are still very sensitive to frost. Such crops may need protection with spruce branches, straw, felt, burlap, matting, or various synthetic materials - special agrofiber (lutrasil or spabond).
Proper insulation the near-stem circle of fruit trees will help such crops survive even the most severe frosts without loss.
The soil around the plants should be mulched not only in spring and summer, but also in autumn, so that the crops can safely overwinter.
Mulch laid in the fall rots by spring and contributes to a better warming of the soil, as well as the rapid germination of crops.
But that's just one of the benefits. autumn mulching. What else is mulch good for?
- The covering material retains moisture well, so plants planted in autumn do not need watering.
- When rotting, the mulch forms an additional layer of humus that nourishes the plants.
- Mulched soil suffers less from frost in winter and overheating in spring.
- Sheltered land does not crust over after watering or rain.
- Mulch protects plants from sudden changes in temperature.
- Fewer weeds grow on mulched soil in the spring.
Mulching beds and tree trunks should be late autumn, When upper layer the soil is already starting to freeze. This is necessary so that rodents do not settle in the mulch, looking for a warm place for wintering.
It is important to understand that the desired effect of mulch can only be achieved if you do not spare the covering material. The thickness of the mulch layer should reach 5-10 cm, otherwise the mulching procedure is in vain.
1. Mulching with the bark of coniferous trees
Advantages
It is one of the most durable mulching materials. bark mulch coniferous trees good for its decorative effect, as well as the ability to stimulate plant growth. Tree bark protects the earth from sudden changes in temperature. In addition, the soil after irrigation does not cake, and an earthen crust does not form on it.
Flaws
Perhaps the main disadvantage in using this mulching material is the laboriousness of its harvesting. It is recommended to compost the bark of coniferous trees before use during the year. Also, this material is not recommended for mulching tomatoes.
What can be mulched with bark:
- fruit trees and shrubs,
- rhododendrons,
- heather and coniferous crops,
- cranberries, blueberries.
2. Mulching with compost
Advantages
Compost is one of the most the best materials for soil mulching. It is completely safe for plants, reduces the likelihood of infection with diseases, and is also an excellent fertilizer.
Flaws
As with the bark of coniferous trees, compost must be prepared in advance. Also, a bed of compost can grow more weeds than soil covered with other mulching material.
What can be mulched compost:
- vegetable crops planted before winter,
- fruit trees and berry bushes,
- grape.
What is the difference between compost and manure? Compost is an organic mass obtained as a result of the decomposition of plant residues, and humus is rotted (or rather, rotted) manure.
3. Mulching with peat
Advantages
Peat is most often used as mulch in autumn. Peat mulching before winter is especially indicated on heavy soil prone to crusting. In the spring, this covering material contributes to the early heating of the soil, retains moisture and improves the structure of the soil.
Flaws
It is not recommended to mulch the soil with fresh peat, since it contains a high concentration of toxic substances that adversely affect plants. Only certain types of peat can be used for mulching: transitional and lowland.
What can be mulched with peat:
- vegetables and herbs planted before winter.
4. Mulching with humus
Advantages
Soil mulching with humus is one of the most effective ways increase its fertility. Such mulch is rich useful substances necessary for good growth plants. In particular, humus saturates the soil with nitrogen, which is very necessary for garden and garden crops in spring.
Flaws
Mulch from humus can provoke the growth of weeds.
What can mulch with humus:
- trees,
- shrubs,
- grape,
- roses and hardy perennials.
5. Mulching with sawdust
Advantages
Sawdust is an excellent fertilizer for any type of soil (especially in combination with compost). They protect the ground from freezing and can enrich even the poorest soil with nutrients.
Flaws
Decaying, sawdust can "pull out" nitrogen from the soil, as well as lower its fertility. Since sawdust tightly covers the ground from sun rays, in the spring, all kinds of bacteria begin to develop in the upper layer of the soil.
What can mulch with sawdust:
- fruit trees,
- raspberries
- currant,
- blueberry,
- cranberries,
- grape,
- bulb flowers,
- winter garden crops.
Use only fresh sawdust whenever possible. Those that have been stored for a long time, dumped in a heap, can stick together. Dry them thoroughly before use.
6. Mulching with wood shavings
Advantages
Shavings can be used where the soil is rarely cultivated. Wood shavings keep well if kept in a dry place. Like sawdust, shavings repel slugs.
Flaws
Unlike sawdust, shavings rot much longer (about 1 year), so it is often used to cover soil that is practically not dug up (for example, on paths).
What can mulch with shavings:
- trunk circles of trees.
7. Straw mulching
Advantages
Straw enriches the soil with nutrients and increases its fertility. And because this mulching material decomposes slowly, it provides mulched crops with long-term protection and keeps the soil warm.
Flaws
Straw mulch can contain weed seeds, and rodents love to make their winter shelters in it.
What can mulch with straw:
- basil,
- garlic,
- strawberry,
- blackberry,
- potatoes planted before winter,
- grape.
8. Mulching with needles
Advantages
Needles - available material, which can be collected in the forest. Over time, mixing with the soil, such a mulch will make it looser and more permeable. For mulching plantings on the site, it is best to use pine or spruce litter - they will help prevent the occurrence of gray rot in plants. A dense layer of spruce needles reliably protects the soil from freezing and drying out.
Flaws
Fallen needles emit volatile substances that can adversely affect horticultural crops. Also, needles increase the acidity of the soil, which is very harmful for many plants.
What can mulch with needles:
- strawberries and small strawberries,
- blueberry,
- cranberries,
- hydrangea,
- heather,
- rhododendrons,
- camellia and other plants that prefer acidic and slightly acidic soil.
9. Mulching with dry fallen leaves
Advantages
Dry leaf mulch is a natural covering that nature itself suggested. The leaves quickly decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients. As a result, crops planted in autumn start growing faster in spring.
Flaws
Leaf litter cannot be used to mulch vegetable crops. In a mild and damp winter, the foliage may begin to rot, which will provoke the reproduction of fungi in the soil.
What can mulch with fallen leaves:
- fruit trees and berry bushes.
10. Mulching with pine nut shells
Advantages
Pine nut shell mulch is not only natural, but also very durable. It perfectly retains moisture in the soil, protects plantings from weeds and looks quite decorative. In addition, a good shell layer stimulates the formation of beneficial microflora in the soil. In winter, the pine nut shell prevents the soil from freezing. In addition, such mulching material is an excellent antiseptic.
Flaws
High price. To mulch even a small area of soil, you will have to spend a lot of money. Also, nutshells can attract rodents, which can significantly damage plants in the ground.
What can mulch with pine nut shells:
- perennial flowers,
- ornamental trees and shrubs,
- coniferous plants.
As you can see, there are quite a few options for mulch, so every gardener and gardener will be able to mulch plantings before harsh winter. You just need to choose the type of mulch that suits you best.
In order for trees to grow quickly, be strong and tall, they need care. This applies to both decorative and fruit species. If earlier trunk circles around trees were left in the form of open areas of soil, which were dug up and fertilized in autumn and spring or covered with mulch, in our time an increasing number of summer residents plant flowers, spicy and vegetable crops on them or sow lawns.
This not only beautifies the garden and benefits the trees themselves, but also saves land area in favor of other types of plants.
To dig or not to dig?
For many gardeners, the vital question is how to properly care for fruit trees and when to dig around them, whether to do it at all, or is it better to sow this area with grass. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages of digging, the following can be distinguished:
- There will be fewer pests or they will disappear altogether.
- Since the near-stem circle of fruit trees expands as they grow, this makes it possible to use this land for good, for example, to set up a flower garden.
Since there are more disadvantages to digging the earth around trees, many summer residents have abandoned this practice. This is caused by:
- When digging up the soil in the fall, not only pests are destroyed, but also beneficial microorganisms. For example, aerobic bacteria living on the surface require oxygen. When digging, the top layer of soil turns over and they are underground. Deprived of oxygen, they die, and since it is aerobic bacteria that supply the plants with the main nutrients, the trees are thereby deprived of vital elements.
- When digging, there is always a risk of damaging the roots. This is especially true for those that are closer to the surface and receive the necessary nutrition from it.
- Autumn digging reduces the frost resistance of trees, as the ground becomes open to the cold.
Each summer resident decides for himself how to take care of his garden, but all more people they tend to believe that the soil around the trees is an area that can be used with sense and benefit both for the plant and for itself.
Flowerbeds and beds around trees
In light of the above, gardeners prefer to use trunk circles and sow them either with herbs, or flowers, or healthy vegetables and spices. This gives its advantages:
- Gradually, the untouched soil is enriched by the plants growing on it, which, having outlived their time, become a natural top dressing for the tree.
- It is especially useful to sow near-stem circles for additional insulation root system. The roots of the "neighbors" create a kind of pillow that prevents frost from penetrating into the ground.
- In summer, a lawn or flower garden protects the roots from the sun, and the tree needs less watering.
- Trunk circles of trees filled with vegetation do not need digging and special weeding, which not only saves you from unnecessary work, but also helps to preserve the fertile layer of the earth.
Considering all the benefits, more and more summer residents are using the soil around trees to plant beautiful or useful plants.
Important to know: Plants don't always go well with each other. Before you plant something, you need to make sure that the "neighborhood" will be mutually beneficial. This is especially important for fruit trees, since their harvest can be significantly reduced by satellites that will act depressingly on them.
Types of tree trunks and their care
Making and caring for the soil around the tree begins with its planting. So, when he is 2-3 years old, he is 2 m, by the age of six he reaches 3 m, and by 10-12 - 3.5-4 m. Along with the growth of the crown, its trunk circle grows, the design of which, as the tree grows older, can change.
Soil care depends on how the soil looks around the seedling:
- If the land remains under black fallow, then it needs regular weeding and light loosening after each rain or watering. In the presence of heavy soil, autumn digging should be carried out annually, while on loam this can be done every 2-3 years.
- Mulching, although the best way to conserve moisture, improve soil quality and protect against cold, is nevertheless considered by many gardeners to be a waste of land. Mulching methods are described below.
- Decorated trunk circles are becoming more and more popular, as they simplify their care and allow you to create beautiful flower beds, lawns or mini-gardens.
It is important to know: if plants are planted around a tree, then it should be taken into account that its trunk should already be quite high (from 75 cm), and the branches should be raised above the ground.
Materials for decorating trunk circles
Long gone are the days when the design of the near-trunk circle of a tree consisted only of mulching or “bare” soil. Today, landscape designers use natural and artificial materials, flower and herb seeds.
Summer residents do not lag behind them and ennoble their gardens:
- decorative stone;
- gravel and pebbles;
- glass;
- synthetic fiber fabrics, such as agril;
- lawns;
- beds with spices;
- healing herbs.
Important to know: The soil around trees is a usable area when used properly. What is permissible on large landscaped lawns does not make sense on a plot of 6 acres, where every meter of land counts.
Stone decoration
The use of small pebbles or gravel to decorate tree trunks is especially popular with summer residents who cannot devote much time to their garden. These "helpers" are capable of:
- retain moisture;
- protect the roots from hot sunlight and severe frosts;
- do not let weeds grow;
- keep pests out.
Such decor of the trunk circle frees the gardener from weeding, loosening and digging the earth. Stones are a natural material that is durable, does not scatter from gusts of wind and looks spectacular.
Mulching
In regions where rain is rare and frost is not, summer residents use dry manure, straw, peat or leaves with reeds as mulch. There are reasons for this:
- this is a natural fertilizer that is dug up in the spring and gives the roots additional nutrition;
- such mulch warms the soil;
- retains moisture well.
It is important to know: such mulching should be done not only 10-15 cm from the trunk, as many gardeners do, but throughout the trunk circle.
However, in warmer regions, an increasing number of summer residents prefer not only to mulch the near-stem circle of fruit trees, but also to decorate it. Perfect for this Pine cones, For example. They look beautiful, keep heat well, pass and retain moisture, are not blown away by the wind and do not give weeds a chance to grow through such a barrier.
In any case, the choice of which natural material to use for mulching is up to the summer resident, based on weather conditions and the needs of the tree itself.
Lawn around trees
A beautifully manicured lawn always looks spectacular. It is no exception when it covers the trunk circle of an apple tree, for example, or other fruit trees. Such a luxury can afford the owners of large plots. As the grass grows, it is cut with a lawn mower and removed. As practice has shown, a lawn in tree trunks is beautiful decoration, which provides the tree with additional care:
- protects from the sun;
- protects from cold;
- retains moisture well;
- grass roots themselves loosen the soil, and it breathes.
Important to know: the lawn requires permanent care otherwise the garden will look overgrown and abandoned. Trees also need regular spring dressing, which is best applied directly under the roots.
Planting near-stem circles with forbs
The lawn is not suitable for the owners of the cherished six acres, so the best way out is to create a cultural turf, for which grass seeds are used. Better sow perennial herbs, for example, a cereal mixture of meadow fescue (up to 60%) and bluegrass meadow (40%).
As the grass grows, it must be cut and piled under the trees, as it is the best natural fertilizer that frees the gardener from additional organic top dressing. Such turfing serves as a natural "carpet" that preserves the roots of trees from the scorching sun, severe frosts and drought.
flower garden
Before you start creating a flower garden, spice beds or medicinal herbs, you should find out which plants of the near-stem circles will bring the maximum benefit to the tree. For example, the following flowers are combined with an apple tree:
- daisies;
- daffodils;
- lungwort;
- pansies;
- forget-me-nots;
- bells;
- nasturtium;
- periwinkle.
They will not only decorate the near-trunk circle, but also have a beneficial effect on the productivity of the tree. Among spices and vegetable crops apple tree gets along well with:
- dill;
- radish;
- feather onions;
- lettuce;
- sorrel;
- basil.
Today, the cultivation of near-stem circles of trees is a widespread practice, and not a tribute to fashion. When the land can not only be properly used, ennobled and decorated, but also without much effort to improve its composition, this is a chance to make your site ideal.
About the technique of mulching near-stem circles of fruit trees and berry bushes, garden beds, you can talk a lot and justifiably, but still experience tells us better ways its application. There are also disadvantages. Let's figure it out.
What agronomic requirements can we place on the mulch we use for our horticultural crops? Firstly, it should not give free rein to weeds - endless tedious weeding in tree trunks fruit crops, berry bushes and vegetable beds familiar to all land users. This means that the mulch should be quite dense, but at the same time freely pass atmospheric air to the roots, root neck and trunk of the plant. At the same time, it should not prevent the release of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and other compounds harmful to the plant from the soil. Skilled gardeners know that both the soil itself and the mulch on it must breathe. A good mulch should also provide additional nutrition to the plant and protect it from disease and weather adversity.
But is there such an ideal mulch in everyday life? I believe it is compost. He is our main today organic fertilizer. It turns out - you need to prepare compost on your land. There are opportunities for this. But in our SNT, only five owners have their land plots noticeable compost. Other gardening ingredients that are suitable for making quality compost, which is suitable for both fertilization and mulching, prefer to be thrown into a landfill, cluttering up gardening, or burned.
When to prepare the above compost? Best time for this - the days of late spring, summer, early autumn months, when there is still heat - with it in the compost, the decomposition of plant residues by soil microorganisms and microflora, the processes of mineralization and fermentation, proceed faster.
In conclusion, we list other types of mulch. This is, first of all, straw with a layer of 10-15 cm, which then settles down to 4-6 cm. Mulching near-stem circles of trees and shrubs with tops of previously harvested potato varieties. For strawberries, mulching between rows with rotted sawdust, weathered peat, fallen leaves. For trunk circles, “live mulch” is also good - shoot-bearing bent grass.
I. Krivega
(Gardener No. 25, 2011)
What is mulching
The word "mulch" is translated from English as covering with manure, straw. Mulching is the covering of the free soil surface around plants with a protective organic layer or film. Unfortunately, this technique is rarely used on garden plots, but in vain! Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, protects it from wind and sun, frees you from weeding, reduces the amount of watering, and will also prevent the surface layer from hardening and crusting. And last but not least - mulching gives the plantings a beautiful and well-groomed appearance.
What can be used as mulch? The first group of mulching materials is film and fibrous materials. For mulching, use a film with a thickness of 0.03-0.06 mm and a width of 100-120 cm. Spread the film on the surface of the soil, and sprinkle its edges with earth. Between the strips of the film, leave 30-50 cm of uncovered earth. Heat-loving crops (cucumbers, tomatoes) grow especially well with such mulching, as well as all plants in cold summers with little rainfall.
Vegetables and strawberries are best mulched with black perforated film or black fiber material. Cabbage grows well on mulch white color, for tomatoes, the most suitable mulch is red.
The next group is organic materials. Mulching with organic materials benefits all vegetable and ornamental crops. A layer of mulch stimulates the reproduction of earthworms and beneficial soil microflora, which in turn improves soil structure and increases its fertility. Thanks to soil microorganisms within one year of mulching, a layer of humus with a thickness of 0.5 cm is formed.
For mulching the garden and the garden, use crushed green fertilizers, leftover cultivated plants, weeds (without seeds), grass, hay, straw, manure, leaves, crushed bark and cones, cut lawn grass, sawdust, peat, fallen leaves.
Grind plant residues from the garden before mulching, you can mix them with green fertilizers. Such mulch can cover any surface in the garden.
The leaves of trees and shrubs can also be crushed before use, but not necessarily. Hay (especially meadow hay) is a very valuable raw material for mulch. Straw can be used both independently and in combination with other organic materials, semi-rotted manure. But it is impossible to mulch the earth with rotten straw immediately before sowing, since it contains substances that inhibit plant growth.
Use kitchen waste only after composting. Cake, according to the experience of vegetable growers, is an ideal mulch for gardens, just cover it with a layer of wet plant material. But the needles are acidic and therefore can be used for plants that prefer acidic soil, such as rhododendrons and heather. And mulch from the leaves and stems of tomatoes repels cabbage whites.
The paths in the garden are most often lined with sawdust, sprinkling them with a layer 5 cm thick. To speed up their decomposition, nitrogen fertilizer can be added (at the rate of 50 g of nitrogen per 1 m2). And small pieces of wood or bark - high-quality and enough decorative material for falling asleep permanent paths in the garden or vegetable garden. Under a layer of bark (pieces of wood) you can put a layer of fibrous material, but in no case a film.
When and how to mulch? It's simple, carry out the first mulching immediately after sowing (planting) the plants, after watering them abundantly. Replenish the mulch layer as it rots, but no more than once every 2 weeks. If you are mulching crops, mark the seedling sites with sand or mature compost, and cover the aisles with mulch with a layer of 2-10 cm, depending on the crop. On clay soils, lay the mulch in a layer no thicker than 2 cm and repeat the procedure as needed (for example, every 2-3 weeks), as in rainy weather the bottom of the mulch starts to rot. The results of mulching heavy soils do not appear immediately - only after 2-3 years, when the soil structure improves markedly. On light soils and in dry areas, the layer of mulch may be more.
O. Mironova
(Gardener No. 20, 2012)
Mulch and mulching
Mulching is the covering of the free surface of the soil in beds, between rows of strawberries and between trees with a protective layer of crushed organic materials, as well as film, sand, slag and other similar materials.
Under natural conditions in the forest, the role of mulching materials is played by fallen leaves and needles, and in the field - sod, which for many years form a layer of litter that is unique in its capabilities.
And in the garden and in the garden, many materials can be used as mulch - humus, manure, peat, rotted compost, sawdust, leaves, chopped green fertilizers, straw, polyethylene film etc. It all depends on your capabilities and views on the need for this procedure on the site.
A good, well-chosen mulch will do a lot for you. First of all, it dramatically affects the thermal balance of the soil. The temperature of the soil under the mulch is on average 3-4 degrees higher than open garden. This reduces sharp daily fluctuations in soil temperature, protects it from excessive overheating in hot summers and from severe hypothermia in severe and snowless winters.
And for growing heat-loving crops in a cold climate, only dark-colored mulch should be used, which gives an even more significant effect.
Mulch protects the soil from excessive evaporation of moisture. Under a layer of any mulch, a soil crust will never form. In addition, mulch protects the soil from erosion by surface water.
And organic mulch, among other things, improves soil structure, provides plants with nutrients, and contributes to the good development of the root system in plants. In addition, decomposing, the mulch releases carbon dioxide into the surface layer, which is an additional top dressing for plants.
Soil mulching inhibits the growth and development of some pests and diseases. So, sawdust mulch repels slugs, tomato leaf mulch repels cabbage whites, etc.
And yet, with the great multitude important benefits, which mulch has in comparison with the traditional Russian clean-weeded and loosened bed, it is very important to choose exactly the type of mulch material that is best suited for the purpose you need.
Mulch out natural material, if applied in a thick enough layer, will quickly suppress the growth of annual weeds with roots located on the soil surface. But before putting such a mulch on the soil, all perennial weeds must be thoroughly weeded with roots. Otherwise they are in favorable conditions will grow as luxuriantly as cultivated plants.
Another way to quickly deal with perennial weeds is to cover the ground with a black film with holes, and put mulch from natural material on top. Holes in the film are needed so that the first heavy rain does not wash away the mulch lying on top of the film.
As in any business, when mulching there are rules that must be followed. If you plant in early spring, then you need to wait until the soil warms up, and only then mulch it. And when autumn planting On the contrary, the soil must be mulched immediately after planting.
In dry areas, the soil should be mulched as early as possible to fully retain snow and rain water. And in highly moist areas, on the contrary, you should not rush with mulching so that the soil can dry out.
Now let's talk very briefly about useful properties various kinds mulch to better use it on your site.
Manure. Well-rotted manure gradually mixes with the soil and fertilizes it. Even incompletely rotted manure (but by no means fresh) serves as an excellent mulch. And fresh manure must be kept for at least three months before use.
precast compost. It consists of all sorts of plant residues (grass cuts, weeds, withered flowers), as well as food waste, collected in a pile to rot for several months. In addition to the properties inherent in any mulch, it has the ability to ennoble the soil, enriching it with nutrients. It should be scattered in a layer of 3-5 cm around the plants and along the rows.
Compost, along with manure, is the best organic mulching material, because. beneficial microorganisms contained in it, allow you to control soil pathogens. In addition, there is no need to remove the compost mulch at the end of the season, because. he's completely screwed up. But it is imperative to ensure that plants that are treated with herbicides do not get into the compost.
Coniferous needles. The needles are convenient for mulching, decorative, practically free. It has a high physiological activity. Such a coniferous coating will not carry away the wind. It holds well in place, but contributes to the acidification of the soil. Therefore, it should not be used for mulching crops that do not tolerate high acidity.
By the way, for the use of needles it is not at all necessary to cut it off green, you can completely get by with fallen needles, since it does not lose its useful properties.
crushed leaves - this is a suitable "warming" material for the roots of most crops. They are a nutrient-rich mulch, a great source of humus, but they need to be shredded. If this is not done, they will dry out and scatter, and in rainy weather they can create a waterproof layer through which moisture cannot penetrate to the roots of plants.
crushed bark . This very attractive mulch is suitable for both decoration and actual mulching. It persists for a very long time, suppresses the growth of weeds and, over time, as it decomposes, enriches the soil with humus. It is desirable to use it to suppress weeds around perennial herbs.
However, the bark contains few nutrients and binds the nitrogen in the soil. Therefore, bark-mulched plants need nitrogen fertilization. It should also be borne in mind that the bark acidifies the soil and for most crops additional lime or ash has to be added.
weeds. If there are not enough plant materials for mulching, then for these purposes you can use weeds growing on the site - burdock, horsetail, plantain, dandelion, gout, etc. But at the same time, it is necessary that they first wilted and were well crushed. Such a mulch can also serve as a good top dressing.
It is very effective to add chopped nettle, which repels slugs, and valerian, which attracts earthworms, to such a mulch. Such mulch retains moisture well, does not allow weeds to grow, decomposing: it serves as a fertilizer.
Black polyethylene film . Such a film warms the soil well and suppresses the growth of weeds. It can be put on the bed a few weeks before crops to warm the soil well.
Plants are planted through holes cut in the film. But this coating must be pressed along the edges with bricks or sprinkled with earth. But it is undesirable to use it for mulching the soil under shrubs, because. however, their roots will grow too close to the soil surface. Quite often, plastic film is used as a bedding for any other mulch.
At the same time, this film does not allow the earth to breathe, does not let water through. In addition, ants often settle under it.
nonwoven fabric . Black non-woven material inhibits the growth of weeds. The soil under it breathes and does not compact. Ideal material for mulching, but expensive.
Straw. It makes a very good mulch, despite the fact that it can easily carry weed seeds from the fields. It is especially good for mulching beds with strawberries.
It is best to lay straw in a layer up to 10 cm. And if the straw is carefully chopped, it will scare away slugs and snails very well. Straw, when rotting, binds nitrogen in the soil. Therefore, plants mulched with straw need additional nitrogen fertilization.
gravel, pebbles, stones . Around tree trunks or potted plants, they are not only decorative, but also help retain moisture. But over time, they “leave” into the ground, and after a while, weeds appear in the intervals between them.
Stones or a layer of pebbles will be more effective tool against weeds, if you put a perforated black film under them. Holes in the film will ensure that rainwater enters the soil.
Sand retains moisture well, inhibits the growth of weeds. But over time, it mixes with the soil and in order to preserve the decorative effect, it has to be constantly poured.
If you have heavy soils in your garden, then organic mulch is best mixed with river sand. This technique is especially effective on airtight soils (clay, heavy loam).
And when using sawdust or chopped straw as mulch, additional nitrogen fertilizers must be added to the soil to compensate for the loss of nitrogen as a result of their decomposition.
And the last. Contrary to popular belief, mulching the soil in the garden significantly reduces labor costs for its maintenance.
V. G. Shafransky
