The soil mulch is recreation of the most natural conditions to ensure effective plant growth. This technology allows you to enrich poor soil. As a result, the root system of crops is strengthened, their growth is improved. We will tell more about the process of mulching further.
What is mulching?
From English, the word "MULCH" is translated as "soil shelter". This technology is applied from the 17th century. She was "borrowed" at nature. After all, as it is known, in natural conditions under the trees, shrubs and other plants on the soil, there is always a "protective" layer of leaves, bevelled grass, twigs of needles, straw, sawdust, dead vegetable material, etc. This layer protects the Earth from erosion, dryness and Layout. It occurs natural mineralization processes, which are beneficially influencing both on the soil and culture growing on it. The land is enriched with height stimulants and semistpal products (carbon dioxide).
Mulching materials Nature provided a great set. Among them are organic and inorganic coatings, beveled grass, pine bark, chips, chips, bumps, twigs of needles, etc. Along everyone will tell more.
Why need mulching?
This technology is used by agronomists with various purposes, among which you can select the following:
- The growth of weeds. The lying layer of 5-6 cm can restrain the germination of weed herbs. It happens because they lack sunlight to grow. However, this is not applicable for all weeds. For example, birch (birch) even the largest layer of mulch is not a hindrance.
- Improving soil structure. Bacteria, developing under the layer of mulch, use its properties as an additional source of useful nutrients. As a result, the soil is saturated and enriched. Also in the lying layer, worms and other small soil animals are very often accumulated, which in the process of their livelihoods significantly improve the structure of the soil. During the summer period, the bacteria fully recycle the entire layer of green mulch, after which it should be completely updated.
- Ensuring moisture delay in the soil. As in natural conditions and in the garden, the layer of leaves, needles, hay and other natural materials allows you to keep moisture in the ground. This happens due to the fact that its evaporation is delayed. Thereby disappears often to water the soil in dry days. However, on the rain period, the mulch may be the opposite, harm the plants, since in excess of moisture will be intensively multiplying bacteria and pathogenic organisms. Therefore, plants before the onset of bad weather should be treated in advance by fungicides.
- Saturation of soil by organic substances. In the process of decomposition in the mulch layer, many useful half-life are accumulated. They can become an ideal feeding for growing crops.
- Saturation of soil oxygen. The closed land is easier "breathing", since the solar rays are practically not penetrated through the mulch layer, the clay soil does not form solid peel.
- Temperature adjustment, creating a favorable microclimate. This is a very important advantage of mulching. In the summer, the land is covered to protect it from overheating, and in winter - to protect from the cold. Also, the coverage of the Earth with the material has a positive effect on the ripening process of some crops. In order to cool the soil, it is lined with a layer of bright mulch, and in order to heat - dark.
- Protection against weathering. For natural reasons, the soil loses most of the nutrients, which are contained in its upper layers. The layer of the mulch interferes with their weathered. In addition, it can protect the soil from leaching at heavy rains.
- Adjusting the acidity of the soil. Each material used to create a layer has the same properties. So, the needles are able to acidify the soil, and woody sawdust and hay are observed.
- Protection against pests and diseases. The mulch interlayer is able to protect the plants from the defeat by some diseases. In addition, she scares many pests.
- Decorative function. The mulch interlayer can also become an excellent decoration of the country area. This is perfect for decorative pebbles or sawdust. Sometimes the material is even stained in different colors to visually zonate flower beds and beds.
Mulching straw
Often, straw is used in mulch technology. The peculiarities of this material it is believed that it decomposes very long. However, there is one significant disadvantage. Some weed grasses can be present in the straw. Since this material has a light color, it has the ability to reflect the sun's rays, maintain coolness and moisture in the soil for a long time. Therefore, the straw is recommended to be used for mulching early spring crops, as it is not necessary to ensure their growth, they do not need a strong heat. These include potatoes, cabbage, strawberries and strawberries. Still is suitable for creating a mulch layer under garden trees and shrubs. Some agronomists use it for mulching vegetables (tomatoes and cucumbers). Due to the fact that the straw layer has a thickness of 4-6 cm, many pests are practically not penetrated through it, for example, Colorado beetles.
To create such a layer of mulching, the straw falls asleep with a layer of 13-16 cm. Over time, it settles and the necessary thickness remains 4-6 cm. When the material decomposes, it must be periodically added.
Mulching Korah.
Most often for this, the bark is pine. This method of mulching is able to restrain the growth of weeding herbs, prevents the appearance of pests and the development of some diseases. In addition, thanks to the flooring of a pine tree, the land can be watered without erosion.
Cora is a durable and durable material. It can perform decorative functions on the site. Very attractive looks shredded pine bark on the flower beds. Sometimes the tracks also sprinkle it. It saturates the air with a useful coniferous aroma. This method of mulching for garden blueberries, strawberries, rose bushes, decorative coniferous trees, etc. Cora has the ability to increase the acidity of the soil, therefore not applicable to protect some garden crops. In order to neutralize such an effect, you can additionally sprinkle with lime or ash or ash.
In this way, it is possible to significantly enrich the soil, protect it from freezing and overheating. The protective layer of bark is poured 4-5 cm thick. It is important that it does not come into contact with the trunks of garden trees, therefore it is recommended to leave 8-12 cm to improve air circulation. In those places, much often falls the shadow, flooring from the bark should be done a little thinner.
When buying material for mulching, make sure that it is high quality. To do this, it is recommended to break the bark and inspect the color of its inner layer. It should be dark. If this is not the case, the wood has been treated with harmful chemicals.
Mulching sawdust
This is a low-cost and affordable method of mulching. Especially in those regions where they are sawmills. Sawdust obtained from deciduous trees are used to create a protective interlayer for most crops. Coffee chips are suitable only for plants growing in acidic soil.
Since sawdust can pull nitrogen from the soil, it is recommended when using this material to enrich the soil additionally with nitrogen fertilizers. The most rational use the protective layer from sawdust in the winter period for sections with bulbous flowers, as well as for beds with onions and garlic. Vegetable crops, such as carrots, beets, strawberries are murdered in this way only after their sprouts have been made of size 6-7 cm.
It is not recommended to use fresh sawdust, since they are capable of separating some resin. It is best if the material lies a little, will dry and ventilate.
Mulching film
Film for mulching - modern material. They are released different colors (black, white, transparent). Depending on this, each of them is used for different purposes.
Black film film is capable of attracting the sun's rays to him, as a result of which the Earth warms up faster. With this method of mulching, we almost do not grow, the wet condensate accumulates under the flooring. This method is applicable to protect the beds of strawberries and strawberries. In the warm season, in order to avoid saving the soil, the film of black color is better not to use.
Transparent films are applied before planting plants in the soil. Such a material does not delay the growth of weed herbs, but contributes to rapid soil warming and maintain moisture in it.
White color is capable of reflecting the sun's rays, as a result of which the earth does not overheat. In addition, useful condensate is accumulated under such a flooring. White films are not allowed to germinate with weed herbs and at the same time easily passed air, allowing the soil to "breathe".
Mulching grass
Mulch the soil can be mounted grass. This is a very good way to protect and enrich the plot. The main thing is that the grass will be unworthy and with her did not fall on the ground a lot of unwanted seeds. This method of protection provides good soil warming, as well as the enrichment of its useful substances. The grass quickly decomposes, and laying under the snow throughout the winter, can become an excellent fertilizer. Flooring from such a material is made with a thickness of 45-48 cm, and around the trees - 70-75 cm.
The grass for mulching is melted when it reached a height of 12-14 cm. Next is slightly dried. Then she covers the soil. You can cover even aisle and earth around the columns of trees. Most often for this use tomato leaves. Such a mulch is capable of scareting many pests, including cabbage whitening.
Mulching cheese
As mentioned above, the needles are capable of increasing the acidity of the soil. Therefore, with this material should be careful. What to minimize such an effect should be used for mulching only the housing of larch or pine. In addition, it is not recommended to apply fresh chevy. Give her a little lie down and prohibit. Most often, the protective layer 3-4 cm from such a material is littered on the beds of strawberries, blueberries, heers. Using this method of mulching it is possible to secure the plant from the appearance of pests such as slugs and snails.
Mulching: photo
Soil Mulching: Video
With the mulch process, you can get acquainted in this video lesson.
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