Which mulch is suitable for which plants?
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HARVEST WITHOUT WATERING AND WEEDING! WHAT'S THE SECRET? IN MULCH!
You can save plants from heat, drought, and even weeds if you mulch the beds in time. But mulch varies, and what works for one plant may not work for another. Let's figure it out!
WHAT MULCH SHOULD "KNOW"
The ideal mulch should retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, inhibit the growth of weeds, promote the reproduction of beneficial microorganisms, nourish the soil, improve its structure, and be accessible.
Unfortunately, one type of mulch cannot combine all these functions at the same time. Therefore, it is so important to choose and combine various options correctly.
CRUST LIKE MULCH
For mulching, larch and pine bark is usually used. The bark reliably protects the earth from overheating, inhibits the growth of weeds, drains the soil perfectly, increases its moisture capacity and breathability, looks beautiful, and is durable. You can mulch with the bark of coniferous paths between the beds, the soil with undertrees and shrubs. However, there are disadvantages: this material is difficult to find, in addition, there is a risk that pests of tree bark can live in such a mulch.
NEEDLE AS MULCH
You can use both pine and spruce needles. The disadvantage of this material is that it acidifies the soil, therefore it is undesirable to use green needles on acidic soil and for mulching under young plants whose roots are located close to the soil surface. In addition, fresh needles contain terpene, which inhibits the normal absorption of nutrients by plants. At the same time, the lying brown needles are absolutely safe. You can use it as a mulch both in the garden and in the garden: it will protect plants from the invasion of snails and slugs.
FALLEN LEAVES AS MULCH
Leaf litter is a good mulch that protects the earth from overheating, hypothermia, drying out, prevents erosion and stimulates the reproduction of earthworms.
There is only one minus: wintering pests and pathogens of various diseases can be in the foliage, so only healthy leaves can be used.
STRAW AS MULCH
Straw covers strawberries and beds with winter crops. But subtrees, shrubs, in greenhouses are used less frequently. Why is that? The fact is that at high humidity, straw can begin to rot, which has a bad effect on plants, especially greenhouse ones. However, if it is possible to monitor the condition of the mulch and change it in time if necessary, you will not find other disadvantages in the straw. It perfectly covers the soil, protecting it from overheating, inhibits the growth of weeds, retains moisture, as a result of which the number of irrigations can be halved and loosening can be completely abandoned!
See also: Mistakes when mulching - the opinions of summer residents about what is BETTER to mulch the soil
Sphagnum moss as a mulch
Sphagnum moss is a wonderful mulch that absorbs excess moisture and then gradually releases water to plants. Among other things, moss has antiseptic properties and neutralizes pathogens that may be in the soil, so it is advisable to use it in greenhouses where the soil has not changed for many years. Moss also has a minus: due to its increased moisture capacity, it is undesirable for them to mulch plants that are contraindicated in excess moisture (for example, it does not suit tomatoes, eggplants, strawberries at all).
CHIPS AND SAWDINGS AS MULCH
Wood chips and sawdust can also be used as mulch. But they must be semi-rotted, otherwise they will strongly acidify the soil. When fresh, they are useful for blueberries and other crops that need acidic soil.
But after partial overheating, sawdust can be used for all crops without exception. Sawdust completely rotted for three years is an excellent material that prevents the soil from drying out, inhibits the growth of weeds and increases the moisture capacity of the soil.
SPANBOND LIKE MULCH
As a mulching material, spunbond can cover any beds. There is only one drawback - the price. In addition, spunbond cannot feed the bed, so the plants will need more intensive feeding.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MULCH
Mulch | pros | Cons |
Compost | Has a neutral reaction, fertilizes and warms the soil |
Does not protect against weeds or pests |
Leaf humus | Warms the earth and protects it from drying out | Almost does not nourish the soil, does not protect against pests and weeds, has a slightly acidic reaction |
Straw | It has a slightly alkaline reaction, protects against slugs, helps regulate temperature conditions (slowly warms up and cools down), protects the bed from drying out, and the fruits from contact with the soil | You need too thick a layer of this mulch to keep weeds down. |
Wood materials (sawdust, bark, wood chips, butcher's broom) | They protect from slugs, help regulate temperature conditions (they warm up and cool down slowly), protect the garden bed from drying out, and protect plant fruits from contact with the soil. | They have a slightly acidic reaction and are suitable for a limited number of plants: tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries |
Mowed grass | Rich in nitrogen, fertilizes the garden bed, protects against sudden temperature changes and drying out | It rots in damp summers and can harm plants. Weed seeds can get into the garden with grass. |
Spunbond and other nonwoven materials | They allow air and light to pass through well. Protects from weeds and protects fruits from dirt | The purchase requires cash costs. Light spunbond reduces soil temperature, while dark spunbond, on the contrary, increases |
Crushed stone, gravel | Prevents weeds from growing. Protect the soil from washing out | As a rule, they are decorative |
Reference by topic: Can I cover plants with walnut leaves and use them as mulch?
WHICH MULCH IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE? VIDEO
© Author: Irina GURIEVA, Научн. corp. FNTS them. Michurin
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What to do with the sphagnum moss that I used as mulch for the beds? Can it be used next year? How to save it for this?
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- It is undesirable to use sphagnum moss as a mulch for a long time, because pests and pathogens winter well in such material. Therefore, it is better to just burn it at the end of the season.
In general, sphagnum moss has recently become popular with summer residents. But usually it is used to prepare the soil, send cuttings, tubers, that is, where its ability to absorb and retain moisture is needed.