Mulch for a flower garden - which is better?
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WHY FLOWERS LOVE MULCH
One of the rules of a successful flower garden is the absence of bare plots of land. The gaps between plantings should be filled with ground cover plants or mulch, which we'll talk about today.
As you know, the mulch layer contributes to the preservation of soil moisture, prevents the germination of weeds, protects the soil from erosion and sudden changes in temperature. And for flower growers, mulching helps to visually combine disparate elements of a plant composition or, conversely, break it into separate parts, soften or enhance the color effect.
The agricultural technique of mulching has been used by gardeners for more than 300 years, and the British are the most “advanced” in this matter. It is even believed that the origin of the English name for strawberries, which literally means "straw berry", is associated with their long tradition of mulching the bushes of the plant with straw. However, straw, hay, grass, sawdust are more often used in garden beds, since they do not add much beauty to flower beds. Therefore, we will focus on other, more decorative mulching materials.
NEEDLES
Sometimes it is found on sale under the name “coniferous straw”, but unlike the various-sized dry grass stalks, even thin needles look, of course, more neat. Such mulching material can be collected free of charge in the nearest forest or bought at the garden center, where, by the way, they offer not only the needles of common pine, but also successfully sell long (more than 15 cm) needles of southern pine. True, the size does not affect the main characteristics of the material. The needles do not cake, which means that they are water and breathable, protect the plantings from slugs and rodents, maintain the temperature regime of the soil well, preventing it from quickly overheating and freezing.
It is widely believed that coniferous mulch acidifies the soil, so it is usually used for lovers of "sourness" - rhododendrons, hydrangeas, heathers, eric. In fact, when the needles play exactly the role of mulch, that is, they are scattered over the surface and not embedded in the ground, its effect on soil acidity is very insignificant. But of course, you should not tempt fate and use coniferous mulch on plants that prefer slightly alkaline and alkaline soils. And for other decorative perennials and shrubs, which are the majority in our gardens, this mulching material is quite suitable.
It is desirable that the needles be half-ripe, and not fresh. Green needles contain a large amount of terpenes - aromatic hydrocarbons, thanks to which conifers exude their unique aroma and repel pests. Terpenes act depressingly on other plants.
CRUSHED AND WHOLE CONES
Such mulching material is in demand due to its availability, but reviews about it are contradictory. Together with cones, unwanted insects often enter the site. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to treat it with some kind of insecticide, such as boric acid, before use. After that, the cones need to be dried, then rinsed with water from a hose and dried again. Agree, a rather laborious process. However, that's not all. Bud mulch does look very elegant due to its texture and different shades, but only one season pleases. Cones come out from under the snow stale, blackened. Therefore, if you want to preserve the beauty of the mulch, put the cones in bags for the winter, keep them in a dry place, and lay out the mulch again in the spring.
Another thing is crushed cones. Over the winter, they, of course, will also darken, but you can pour a thin layer of fresh material on top, and the “carpet” will be like new.
WOOD CHIPS AND BARK
As a mulch, these materials are more preferable than other wood waste (sawdust, shavings), which quickly rot and consume nitrogen from the soil during this process.
Wood chips decompose slowly, within 3-4 years, and almost no nitrogen is pulled from the ground. That is, additional dressings for plants mulched with wood chips are usually not required. It takes even more time to rot the bark. The leader in this regard is the bark of Siberian larch, which can last up to 7 years in flower beds and flower beds.
The tumbled bark of a fine fraction is especially popular with flower growers. Such material is subjected to special processing and as a result acquires a smoothed rounded shape. Bark and wood chips can be either natural or dyed in a variety of tones, but any material fades after a year or two.
Some properties of mulch depend on the type of wood from which it is made. For example, birch and alder contain a large amount of tannins - tannins that can slow down plant growth. Softwood can increase soil acidity to some extent.
BASED ON OPPORTUNITIES
Organic mulch, decomposing, saturates the earth with nutrients, creates and maintains favorable conditions for the development of soil organisms, which, in turn, increase fertility. But no organic mulch can be left unattended for years - it needs to be sprinkled regularly, updating the top decorative layer, or replaced completely. Inorganic mulch (pebbles, small gravel, marble chips, sand) is more durable in this regard, and its scope is quite wide: flower beds and flower beds, alpine slides, tree trunks, recreation areas. So that the mulching material does not go into the ground over time and lasts longer, it is laid on a non-woven material, and shrubs and perennials are planted in holes cut in the coating.
Sometimes rare materials for us fall into the category of mulch - for example, cocoa or rice husks, pine nut shells. As attractive as they are, it's best to opt for a more affordable mulch so you always have it on hand.
Reference by topic: Decorative chips - why are they harmful and what to replace?
FLOWER AND MULCH FROM CHIPS - VIDEO
© Author: N. VERSHININA, florist
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WE USE NEEDLE to good use
I use coniferous branches to cover spring beds with crops of peas and beans, spring garlic. The fact is that birds love to feast on fresh herbs. Lapnik serves as protection against them and leaf-eating fleas.
In the spring, I grind coniferous needles in a coffee grinder and sprinkle sprouted leaves of greens and vegetables with this powder.
You can prepare a nutrient mixture for growing seedlings: take half a bucket of finely chopped coniferous veto-checks, add half a bucket of fertile soil there and mix. Put in a warm place and water once a week, stirring each time.
When a loose black mixture forms in a bucket, I use it for planting seedlings, in such a substrate it will grow stocky, strong, with a powerful root system.