This agricultural technique is familiar to many gardeners. The process is "peeped" by wise nature. Mulching the soil has a beneficial effect in many directions: it enriches the soil itself, helps the root system develop and breathe, and reduces weed growth. The rays of the sun cannot penetrate through the mulch, which means that the soil does not overheat even in the greatest heat. In addition, mulching the soil is an additional fertilizer. Moreover, the natural. Mulch, poured out under plants in spring, is processed by microorganisms during the summer and turns into a light fertile black soil. Imagine how fertility will rise if the mulching of the soil is carried out continuously, every year!
But you need to mulch correctly. How to do this and what is mulch, we will consider in this article.
Mulch always has only organic composition. As mulch are sawdust, pieces of bark, chopped leaves (twigs, grass), etc. You can use cardboard. Some even offer newspapers as mulching material. But here the environmental friendliness of the material is in question (just look at the composition of printing inks). The use of synthetic materials (polyethylene, for example) is undesirable - although this material protects the plant from overheating and allows moisture to be stored longer in the roots, it obviously will not become a natural fertilizer, since it decomposes for many, many years.
Before mulching, you will need to clarify the particle size distribution of the soil. Heavy loams, for example, are not covered with a thick layer - a layer of two centimeters is enough here. And pine sawdust will increase (and significantly) the acidity of the soil. It is better to periodically pour mulch if necessary, than immediately pour a thick layer. Then the lower part will not rot (especially with high dampness). On such soils, the structure will improve in three to four years (it will take a year to form compost soil 1 cm thick).
Mulching the soil is appropriate at any time. Usually the main work is done in the spring. However, as the seedlings, new shoots, etc. are planted, this procedure is carried out additionally. For example, mulching strawberries or grapes is carried out immediately after planting processes (children) or cuttings in the ground, adding mulch if necessary during the season.
The so-called temporary mulching is also possible, when a film is used instead of mulch. Usually this is a silver-black or completely black film (polymer). Many gardeners mulch strawberries with just such a film. Before planting, it is spread out and fixed, then holes are made at the landing sites, which are watered abundantly. The film holds temperature and moisture well. But with an extremely hot summer it can play a trick. The polymer film lasts about three years (does not clean for the winter).
Well, now separately about each material for mulching.
Peat will retain moisture and protect from burning sun rays. Clay soil will make light and air-intensive, and sandy soil will be cohesive and water-intensive.
Bark and slivers are more suitable as decorative coverings under bushes or trees. Beneficial effect on raspberries.
Needles - a wonderful mulch for strawberries (strawberries), does not allow the spread of gray rot. However, it oxidizes the soil.
Manure mixes with the soil (with the top layer). Suitable for any plants and any soil, but should be well rotted.
Garden compost, of course, is inferior to manure, however, it is also able to improve the structure of any land, protecting both from overcooling and from overheating.
Mowed grass is a wonderful mulch for beds with vegetables. But it fits dried. Suitable for mulching and flowering weeds.
Sawdust is a godsend for perennial crops. It is advisable to use in a mixture with ash or nitrogen fertilizers (50 grams per square meter will accelerate the decomposition of sawdust)
Straw cutting is available in rural areas and is quite cheap. But minus it in the high content of weed seeds. Requires additional application of nitrogen fertilizers.
The listed materials for mulching are the most common, but others can also be used: waste wool, flaxseed, paper, etc. The main thing is that you do not introduce harmful substances with the mulch.