Mulching: why, what and how

Mulching - a surface coating of soil with mulch to protect it and improve the properties. The role of the mulch can perform as natural organic or artificial inorganic materials

Mulching the soil in gardens and orchards Russian stuck with a light hand, "the national agronomist" Nicholas Kurdyumova. Now a rare summer visitor no vegetable garden soil harbors some material. The results, and the truth, surpass all expectations. In this article, we'll show you how to properly and how to mulch mulch for any purpose chosen.

Content

• What materials are chosen for mulching
• How to mulch the soil in the greenhouse
• How to mulch open ground
• Bark mulch for decorative

Mulching: basic rules

The soil not covered with a mulch or planted with plants, Nikolai Kurdyumov compared with an open wound, open sun and wind.

Mulch solves several problems:

• It protects the soil from drying out;
• It protects the soil from overheating;
• It creates a favorable environment for earthworms and beneficial microflora.

The beds and beds that are duly covered with mulch, do not have to weed and water, and they do not need fertilizers (provided that it is an organic mulch).

The thickness of the mulch layer usually ranges from 5-7 centimeters. The lighter material, the thicker layer.

mulching materials are divided into two large groups - organic and inorganic.

organic mulch

Peregnivaya, organic mulch creates a humus layer, which not only structurally improving the soil, but also fertilize it. But some types of organic mulch - bark, shavings and sawdust - pull out of the soil nitrogen. As wood mulch quickly become caked and become one of the causes of damping-off plants. Therefore, its use is generally for decorative purposes (for mulching usually conifers).

Needles of pines and firs mulch beds. It looks very impressive, and flowers in a mulch grow up healthy.

Needles acidifies the soil, so the soil acidic mulch her nothing is impossible!

mulching grass

Mulching straw, weeds, cut grass and green manure residues great for row spacing and tree trunks of fruit trees. To the beds is not the best option because the grass clippings quickly dries and decomposes slowly.

Legith

Member FORUMHOUSE

Mowing grass and mulching it. In this way, reclaim land that was not treated for ten years. Held on weeds Roundup, strewn with a thick layer of mowed green grass or straw. After a while the grass was removed and never ceased to be surprised: clean, loose, moist soil, only to dig.

Mulching with humus and compost

It humus and compost is recommended to mulch the beds.

Penzasiti

Member FORUMHOUSE

I now have zamulchirovat tomatoes in two layers: the horse humus and sawdust on top. Grace. Watering is very mild, weed-existent. Worms - already hear them scream at night: thank you boss!

inorganic mulch

Inorganic mulches do not fertilize the plant, it does not decompose, does not form the humus. This mulch performs two functions:

• protection;
• decorative.

But it has many advantages, chief among them - durability.

By inorganic mulch include:

• film;
• nonwovens;
• pebbles, crushed stone and gravel;
• roofing;
• cardboard and newspapers.

Mulching with gravel and crushed stone

Most often, gravel and fine gravel mulch flower beds, rock gardens, flower beds and aisles. They are suitable for tracks and tree trunks: but how close do not fit the stones through them still sprout weeds. Therefore, many scatter stones on nonwoven or film.

Gravel and crushed stone - decorative mulch, and it is used in gardening and horticulture is not.

Film and netkanka

At the beginning of the last century Michurin admired the experience of American colleagues who "harbor soil cardboard soaked in tar (in our opinion - roofing) on ​​berry». And in the late 30-ies in the USSR it was widespread mulching strawberries covering materials in the southern farms.

Advantages of mulching nonwoven:

• Moisture in the soil is preserved;
• through the mulch does not break through the weeds;
• the soil becomes loose and soft.

strawberries, mulch covering materials, always clean and do not rot. This mulch for strawberries perfectly.

The main requirement for the material for mulching strawberries: it should not be transparent. It is important that the mulch does not transmit light.

Often used for mulching strawberries roofing felt: such mulch will last 3-4 years, while the strawberry bushes do not grow old.

This agricultural practices does away with the weeding and watering is rarely thought about. But unlike organic mulch, covering material does not fertilizes plants. Therefore, before laying it on the soil layer of humus fill a good, high polshtyka shovels.

Then the film, roofing felt or netkanka (powdering up) and rolled on a bed dropwise well on all sides. This is very important, otherwise on all sides begin to evaporate the moisture, and the soil under the mulch, instead becomes easy, loose and moist, becomes dry and thick as asphalt.

After that, you need to plant the seedling mulch: cut a cross (trying to keep it as small as possible), poke a stick well, deeply planted in her bush seedlings, sprinkle compost pour.

On the mulch should be no openings to the weeds did not receive the light, and with it the growth opportunities.

If you sprinkle black film straw, sawdust or leaves, it will last for several years.

Often planted by covering materials:

• cabbage,
• peppers,
• tomatoes,
• eggplant.

Chapelen

Participant FORUMHOUSE

I use black netkanku all ukryvnyh beds for several years, and the weeds grow in the shelter of the powerful. The same is 2-3 years, I plant peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, watermelons, melons, cucumbers. Last year, the beet seedlings in the same holes, slots. Liked. Watering holes in a stem. Land for a long time does not dry under netkankoy is heated, but it is good for heat-loving crops.

Mulching the soil netkankoy can only be in late spring, otherwise the land will be warm for a long time and slowly.

Paper and Cardboard

Paper and cardboard great help to get rid of weeds, but these types of mulch is not used alone because it is drawn from the soil moisture. Usually they are placed under the grass or humus.

Why to mulch the soil in the greenhouse

In the greenhouse, plants, life is not as good as you might think. They suffer from lack of water, lack of nutrients, heat and temperature changes.

Those who mulch the soil in a greenhouse, note that the seedlings less sick and grows better. In addition, sharply reduced weed growth. Mulching in a greenhouse is necessary to choose an organic mulch, in descending order of use:

• humus;
• sawdust, spilled urea;
• straw.

You can cover the soil in the greenhouse film or spunbond.

Summarizing

Mulching protects the soil and improves its properties. The main thing is to choose the right mulch and do not disturb the technology:

• Do not apply a thick layer of mulch, if there is wet weather - so we provoke rot and fungal diseases;
• It is impossible to pour too thick layer of mulch, it will prevent air and light;
• It is impossible to mulch in windy weather;
• No need to leave in the spring of last year nepereprevshuyu mulch - this will prevent the heating of the soil.

On FORUMHOUSE you can take part in the discussion different types of mulching, To see how great looking decorative mulching with bark and how their own hands make smart beds. No less interesting and permaculture. And to work in the garden it was a joy, Use homemade "diggers".

Watch a video about Garden landscape designerWhich may give you some some good ideas.

Subscribe to the channel! Share on social networks! Join FORUMHOUSE - the best portal about building and living in the country!