Early planting of plants in open ground in most Russian regions is a rather dangerous undertaking. In an unpredictable climate, there is always a high risk of return frosts, which can negatively affect the crop, or even completely destroy it. If you need to quickly sow seeds or take out seedlings to open air, you can protect them with a special shelter from a non-woven fabric. It will retain cold air and will not allow tender sprouts to freeze .
Varieties of covering materials
Among covering materials, Agrotext, Agrospan, Lutrasil are especially popular - all these are different types of spunbond, special fabric created or polymer fibers woven together in a special way. Only the production technology and the method of weaving differ. The canvas is strong, durable and well transmits light. Protection of plantings from frost, shrubs from the bright winter sun or soil from weeds - all these functions are able to perform non-woven covering material " Agrospan ".
Features of "Agrospan"
The canvas has a porous structure that allows air to pass through and allows you to create the perfect microclimate. Thanks to this, the plants sheltered by them become healthier, stronger, bloom more abundantly and give more fruits. The properties of the coating largely depend on its density. Usually it is indicated in the name itself, for example, on the package it can be written: covering material “ Agrospan 30”. The number indicates the density of the material in g / m 2.
How to choose a covering material?
To protect your plants from frost, hail, showers and the scorching sun, you need to be able to choose the right remedy for protection. The covering material " Agrospan 60" is the most dense material that can be used to create greenhouses and portable greenhouses. It is able to protect crops from lowering temperatures to - 10 degrees. The special stabilizer included in the material protects the surface from ultraviolet radiation, as a result of which it practically does not collapse. There is a black canvas that is used as a substitute for mulch: they cover the soil with it, protecting it from weeds and pests.
Material characteristics
The service life of the canvas can reach 6 years, but most often Agrospan use 2-3 seasons. It is able not only to protect from the sun, strong gusts of wind, but also from precipitation in the form of hail. Thin canvas from 17 g / m2 suitable for sheltering plants without pulling on the frame.
To choose the right option, it is important to know whether the density of the material is evenly distributed, and whether a stabilizer is added to the fabric, which protects against ultraviolet radiation. If the surface is not dense enough and the monofilament is too thin, tearing and damage to the canvas by the wind are possible. If the density is high, cold air will not penetrate below the surface and all plants will remain intact if the temperature drops sharply. The uneven distribution of fibers and damage to the fabric will lead to heat loss during the period of frost, as a result of which some sprouts can freeze.
Pros and Cons of Cover Material
The advantage of this material is that you can water the beds without removing the shelter: water easily penetrates through the pores in the surface, and its low weight allows you to not damage the stems of plants. A healthy microclimate, which is created under the covering material "Agrospan", increases the immunity of plantings, so they better resist various diseases. An additional feature is pest protection. They simply can not get through the dense surface of the canvas. Productivity is also increased due to the preservation of heat, since the material does not allow cold air to pass through.
Ways to use the material
Fruits can be harvested earlier if you plant seedlings in open ground after snow has melted and cover it with Agrospan. Due to the low cost, there is no need to save on footage and tightly stretch the fabric. It is enough to throw the canvas from above and press it on the sides with bags of sand, bricks and other weights. They lay it on the beds immediately after sowing seeds or planting plants. You can water the plants from above without removing the fabric.
Judging by the reviews, the covering material " Agrospan " is not afraid of pesticides and pesticides, it is not damaged by acid rain. They can shelter not only small plantings, but also farm fields. Agrofabric scatters light and keeps the soil moist enough, reducing evaporation. Its only drawback may be that a dense surface will weakly transmit sunlight.
Such material is best used to shelter shrubs for the winter, to avoid sunburn and prevent overcooling of the crown. A black cloth is laid on the ground before planting, and then holes are cut in it and holes are made. With its help, seedlings are grown that require careful care, and are also used to create alpine slides and stone gardens.