What is mulching. From tree bark

Material prepared by: Nadezhda Zimina, gardener with 24 years of experience, process engineer

Applying various agricultural techniques, you can achieve better results when cultivating your personal plotwith less effort. For example, once applying the mulching technique for processing the soil surface, you can for a long time forget about watering, loosening and weeding. Plants will feel comfortable without additional maintenance. And decorative mulch, which is available in a huge assortment, will allow you to decorate the garden, place accents and fill the empty spaces of the beds.

Mulching technology

Before you cover the ground protective layer from a covering material, it must be prepared.

You need to do the following:

Remove weeds from the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe treated surface;
Water the garden so that moisture remains in it, which we will preserve;
Loosen the ground to a depth of at least 5 cm;
Ventilate, slightly drying the top layer of the soil, so that when mulching it does not sag and compact.

When to mulch?

Covering measures that promote long-term retention of moisture around flowers constantly growing in one place must be carried out in the spring, after the soil thaws and warms up well... If done earlier, when the soil is cold, the mulch layer will prevent thawing by keeping the cold close to the roots. This can lead to plant death.

In the fall, they also cover the soil. Indeed, under a protective layer much longer than in environment the vital processes of soil organisms will continue, which will lead to additional production of organic matter from the covering substrate. In autumn, it is possible to plant under mulch of various cultivated plants, eg, . He winters well under a shelter of pine sawdust, which, among other things, also protect him from diseases and pests.

Many garden vines also need autumn shelter, otherwise they do not survive the winter, freezing at the root. For successful protection from cold over, climbing roses, actinidia, clematis do it yourself dry shelter... It is simply impossible to cover them with sawdust - during thaws, the water will wet the covering substrate, and with a significant decrease in temperature, it will turn into an ice shell, under which plants can die.

To build a reliable shelter, use wooden frames or boxes under which whips and vines are placed, they will be in a dry air environment. Then the protective structures are covered with a “blanket” of sawdust. But this is not enough, since wood shavings does not protect plants from excessive moisture ingress. On top, you need to make another layer to prevent it from entering. To do this, use a film for mulching.

winter shelters for grapes

The quality of covering measures largely depends on the material used. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can help or harm specific plants. For the right choice it is necessary to have information on the properties of protective materials.

Mulching with green plant residues

Siderata

For spring soil mulching, there is an original and very economical method that allows you to grow healthy seedlings right in the soil. Of course, we are not talking about tomatoes and peppers (although you can try in the southern regions). First of all, in this way you can plant zucchini, eggplant, and pumpkins.

In the spring, as soon as the ground thaws, they dig it up, and sow green manure, rye is best suited. When the soil warms up well and constant positive temperatures are established, you can start planting seeds of cultivated plants. Rye will serve as a natural defense, shading young sprouts at the initial stage, creating comfortable conditions for them to develop. When the cucumbers and zucchini grow up, the cereals around are removed and the ground is covered with straw. She serves good stuff for mulching, while feeding the soil with nitrogenous compounds.

It must be remembered that green manure cannot be used immediately after removal from the soil. They must be dried within a day, otherwise the straw will smell bad and rot, as a result of which pathogenic microflora and fungi may appear on it.

Cut grass

Weeding or mowing the lawn leaves a lot of grass. Throwing it away is irrational, therefore, this type of plant waste has two ways of implementation. The first is to put them in compost. The second is to organize mulching of beds, flower beds and tree-trunk circles of fruit trees with grass.

You can also throw the weeded potatoes with the cut grass instead of hilling. The tubers will thrive in a loose layer of semi-rotten substrate, and in the fall the potatoes can be easily removed by pulling out the bushes by the tops.

But melons, cucumbers and cabbage cannot be mulched with grass, as they can become infected with rot or fungus. For the winter, fresh grass mulch does not need to be left, as pests can grow in it. Best to use plant residues the second time by sending them to compost. Well-dried hay is used as a covering material for the winter, which is used to cover the tree trunks just before the frosts.

Video: an example of mulching tomatoes with plant residues

Sawdust mulching

The main function of mulching is the ability to create comfortable conditions for plants. Using materials from organic matter, you can significantly increase soil fertility, reduce the number of watering and loosening, and get rid of weeds.

Mulching is one of the most common types of cover. They are especially often used for. Under a warm blanket of coarse shavings strawberries and garden strawberries winter well and do not get sick different types rot. Pathogenic flora is the very negative factor that significantly affects the harvest. But when using sawdust, which acts as a sorbent, a significant part of the berries calmly sings on the bushes, and does not rot, since it does not come into contact with the moist earth.

Strawberry mulching technology is simple and effective:

Before adding sawdust, the bed is weeded, loosened and watered. After the formation of a light crust on top layer land, begin the main work. To do this, take cardboard (it is better not to use a newspaper, since the ink for printing contains lead), and they cover the space between the rows. Sawdust is poured on top of the cardboard. That's it, the work is over. By the way, this method protects not only from the appearance of weeds, but also from excessive growth of the strawberries themselves.

Mulching with hay and straw

These natural materials, which are easy to find in any village, summer residents began to use for planting on new technology, for the use of which you need to stock up on cardboard (you can ask for boxes in the nearest store), planting material and dry grass.

The process itself can be broken down into several stages:

Covering the ground with cardboard. It can be laid directly on overwintered grass as soon as the snow melts. The point of this action is to prevent light from reaching the weeds, which will die along with the roots within a few weeks.
Germination and disinfection of potatoes. You can disinfect with a solution of any ready-made biostimulant, and germinate in the sun, greening the tuber. These preparatory procedures have a healing effect so that later potatoes under mulch do not get sick with late blight.
The next stage is planting planting material. To do this, holes are made in cardboard sheets, whose radius should be twice as large as the radius of the tubers. After that, the seed potatoes are placed directly on the ground, sprouts up, so that they rush into the sunlight.
The final stage of planting is to mulch the entire row with straw. To do this, dry residues of cereals are poured directly over the cardboard, with a layer of at least 15-20 cm. Some people use hay for shelter, but it has a significant drawback - it is a carrier and accumulator of weed seeds.

This method, which is revolutionary for the consciousness of many gardeners, has many advantages. First, it is minimal in terms of labor costs. Imagine, you do not have to plow, weed and huddle plantings. Potatoes under mulch grow well without unnecessary interference. An exception is drought, when you have to water your plantings a couple of times. And still, the amount of physical labor used is incomparable with the traditional way landing.

Harvesting potatoes that have grown under thatch shelter is also an easy walk compared to traditional digging. This is a pretty clean job, since getting to the tubers is very easy - you just need to move the straw apart and harvest.

After harvesting, the beds are left without digging. They are already natural compost, which will calmly rot in the time remaining before the onset of winter cold weather, and next year these beds can be used for planting without additional processing... Using the straw mulching method, you can achieve a significant improvement in soil fertility on the site in 2-3 years.

Video: comparison of the crop of potatoes when mulching different types

Mulching with textiles and foil

This type of protective procedure is used in two cases:

The first is when constructing "dry blankets" for the winter for various ornamental plants and lianas, as already described above.
The second type of use is to protect the beds from weeds and moisture evaporation.

A prerequisite for the use of rolled covering materials is compliance with all preparatory procedures (weeding, moistening, loosening), before covering the beds with polyethylene. When using this method in the summer, only transparent film and agrotextile are used. But the black film is used before planting. It has too much depressing effect on any plant flora, therefore, even with partial perforation, it is not suitable for summer use.

mulching with agrotextile (left) and film (right)

The film is spread on the beds at the end of March, when it is already warm enough and weeds begin to grow. Within 3-4 weeks they all die under a black film, and their roots, which die off naturally, easy to remove with a rake.

Agrotextile is very often used for mulching strawberries. Usually they take non-woven densely, which allows moisture to pass through. It is spread over all surfaces of the garden, cutting out circles at an equal distance for berry bushes. When using this method, strawberries bear fruit well throughout the season, and practically does not require additional maintenance.

Peat mulching

This fertilizer from the swamp is very often used as a mulch layer for the soil when planting various plants. serves as an excellent protection against weathering and leaching of fertile components from the soil, and does not allow the growth and development of pathogenic flora. After the end of the season, this substrate is left in the beds, and it gradually passes into the soil, improving its composition.

decorative use of peat

The homogeneous structure of peat allows it to be used as decorative filling... Also, peat is used in the garden, for mulching various crops that require increased care, for example, tomatoes. Under nightshades, this substrate is introduced when they are well rooted, a couple of weeks after planting seedlings in the ground.

Peat is ideal for mulching. He creates optimal conditions for the growth and development of this moisture-loving shrub. The soil will constantly retain moisture and become loose, which allows the raspberry root system to develop well.

Mulching with bark and wood chips

This way of gardening is gaining new fans every year. Bark mulch is commonly used for walkways and large outdoor areas. In our climatic zone, pine bark is the most widespread. This material for landscape design has a number of useful properties.

decorative mulch from bark and wood chips

Decorative bark mulch stays in one place for a long time unchanged, perfectly protects the soil from weeds, and saves from the sun on hot days. It also does not compact for a long time due to its porous structure and embossed surface.

Pine bark

This type of covering material is very popular throughout the country. The advantages of pine bark are its lightness, thickness and high content of fungicides, which suppress unfriendly microflora, and prevent the appearance of pests.

Features of mulching with bark / chips of tree trunk circles

Mulching bark has been used for centuries. This type of protection has become especially popular for those who constantly need comfortable conditions... The bark retains moisture for the root system and decorates perfectly trunk circle, which saves time when caring for these capricious flowers. She also serves winter shelter from freezing.

Wood chips

When buying this material, you should pay attention to the number that is indicated on the package. It corresponds to the size of the chips and indicates the size of the product. Chips are small (5-8 cm), medium (8-15 cm), and large (more than 15 cm). It is advisable to purchase this covering material from manufacturers who guarantee the minimum inclusion of chip dust in the composition. This property helps protect the beds from oxidation.

Mulching chips serve the same function as other materials. It keeps the soil moist and loose, stimulates the development of beneficial microflora, naturally forms humus. In addition to all of the above advantages, this material is perfect for decorating a site.

decorative mulch options - based on wood chips and bark

Decorative mulch can be of any color and size. It is used in young flower beds, or in beds made in a minimalist style. It is resistant to external influences, therefore, it can fall asleep in flower beds and garden paths.

Precautions

The choice of wood chips must be approached more carefully than the purchase of other materials. When buying it, it is desirable ... to smell it! If the substrate emits an acidic vinegar smell, then it is better to postpone the purchase. Most likely, the wet chips were stored without oxygen, and decay products, very harmful to plants, began to be produced in it.

But, if the acquisition has already been made, the situation can be corrected. Chips need to be dried well. Once the sour smell is gone, you can use it to mulch the soil.

Unusual types of mulch

Leaves

They are used everywhere, this is the most affordable covering material that serves to protect plantings with perennial flowers and wintering bulbs.

Pine needles

Needles are mulched plants that are susceptible to massive attacks of pests, for example, garlic.

Eggshell

This species is used as an obstacle in the path of slugs, scattering the shell in a thin layer around the rose bushes.

Using various materials at hand for mulching the beds, you can greatly simplify your life. The protected plant roots make full use of all the moisture brought into the soil, which provides them with excellent nutrition. The need for constant watering is eliminated, as well as constant loosening. Mulching the soil will help put the garden and vegetable garden in order, and free up time to finally straighten up and admire the beauty and order created by your own hands.

Video comparison of various mulching materials

MulchingIs the covering of the soil under fruit trees, or vegetable plants protective layer. You can also mulch the soil between the beds or rows of vegetables. Various materials are used as mulch.

In nature, under trees and shrubs there is always a layer of fallen leaves, needles, dead plant remains. This organic layer protects the soil from erosion, drying out, and weathering. Mulching has similar effects. At the same time, it enriches the soil with organic matter and promotes the development of the plant root system.

Mulching prevents crust formation on the soil surface and reduces weed growth. Accordingly, the number of waterings is reduced and there is no need to engage in regular weeding. Under a layer of mulch, the earth breathes easier. This is especially true for clay soils, since the mulch does not allow sunlight to pass through and does not allow the earth to harden.

Under the mulch layer, soil bacteria actively reproduce. Mulch is for many of them additional source nutrients. Under the mulch, earthworms and small animals reproduce well, which help to improve the structure of the soil. In summer, the layer of green mulch is easily and quickly processed by microorganisms. In this regard, mulch must be periodically poured.

Under the mulch layer, the optimum temperature and soil moisture are maintained. Changes in soil temperature occur less dramatically. This has a positive effect on plant metabolism. The greatest effect of mulching is observed in areas with dry weather, as mulch prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil. Weeds die under the mulch, as they experience a lack of sunlight.

Mulching methods

There are three ways to mulch:

✓ covering the beds with black film or special covering material;

✓ sprinkling the soil organic materials (peat, sawdust, etc.);

✓ sprinkling the soil with compost.

The choice of mulching method is influenced by the type of soil, climate characteristics, the goal pursued (control of weeds, reducing the frequency of watering, fertilizing the soil).

Mulching with black film or covering material is used when growing vegetables and strawberries.

In many plants, under such mulch, nutrient requirements are reduced by a third. It should be noted that it is necessary to fertilize the soil before mulching with these materials. This is best done when planting plants. If possible, immediately after this, the beds are covered with mulching material. When correct use black film and other covering materials can be used for several years.

Transparencies and white materials are not suitable for mulching as they will not stop weed growth.

❧ Some plants prefer colored mulch. For example, cabbage is different best growth on white mulch, and tomatoes on red. However, mulch of such colors is almost never used in practice.

Under the black film, the soil temperature is 2 degrees higher. In early spring it is used to cover the beds at night. During the day, the film is removed so that the soil warms up better under the sun. In warm soil in plants, all processes are more active.

The same applies to the vital activity of soil insects and microorganisms. However, it should be borne in mind that under the film and other covering materials, the soil quickly depletes, since organic plant residues do not enter it.

Moisture is well maintained under the black film in the soil. The water that evaporates from the soil surface accumulates in the form of drops on the film and gets back again. Therefore, the soil moisture is maintained at the same level under the film. Mulching row spacings with black film when growing zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, corn leads to an increase in yield by 30%, besides, the fruits always remain clean, good quality and it is much easier to collect them.

If you cover young trees and shrubs with black film, then they will grow faster, it is better to take root in a new place.

Mulching with black film is often done in greenhouses. This prevents evaporation of moisture from the soil and reduces air humidity in closed room... As a result, the number of fungal diseases among plants decreases. This is of particular importance in the cold season, when the air already has high humidity, for example in the fall.

Mulching films are also insect pest control agents. Some types of films have reflective aluminum inserts for this purpose. The film, unlike organic mulch, protects plants from mice.

Mulching with organic materials is more beneficial for plants than mulching with black film and covering materials. It promotes the growth of both vegetable and Ornamental crops. It brings special benefits to white cabbage, celery, tomatoes, radish, garlic asparagus.

As a mulch for the garden and vegetable garden you can use green fertilizers (crushed green parts of plants), plant remains, weeds that have not reached the flowering stage, straw, hay, manure, fallen leaves, crushed wood bark, sawdust.

Good mulch is compost, including unripe, and a mixture of unripe manure and green mass. It is especially good to use this mulching in areas where plants are planted to obtain green mass, such as clover. They increase the rate of maturation of the compost and subsequently enrich it.

The beds with berry plants should be under a layer of mulch at all times. In the summer, dry and green mulch is used, and in the winter, the beds are mulched with manure. With this approach, mulching does not lead to an increased content of nitrates in berries.

It must be remembered that the more fertile the soil, the sooner the mulch will decompose and turn into humus.

You should not make the mulch layer thick, as its lower part will damp and rot, especially after rains. That is why on clay soils it is not recommended to make a layer of mulch more than 2 cm. If necessary (about once every 2 weeks), mulching should be repeated.

Improvement of the structure of heavy soils during mulching is manifested only after 2-3 years.

Perform it in summer period, immediately after planting and watering the plants. In summer, it is recommended to use only finely chopped mulch. The emerging seedlings are sprinkled with sand, ripe compost, chopped grass. You can also sprinkle mulch on the aisles.

For winter mulching, plant residues are used - the ground part of plants, chaff, unripe manure. You can make a mixture from this and sprinkle it on the whole garden, and not just the beds. Such mulch is poured with a layer of 10 cm for light soil, and with a layer of 5-8 cm for heavy soil. You can add more mineral flour to it. It will reduce education unpleasant odor and will increase the intensity of formation of humus complexes in the soil. Also add some more bone meal.

Mulching the beds in winter also has some adverse consequences. If the plants overwintered under a layer of mulch, then there is a high probability that they will suffer from late spring frosts... In spring, air cushions form under the mulch layer, which make it difficult to warm up the soil and contribute to the freezing of plants. Therefore, after winter mulching, it is necessary to mulch again in the spring.

In winter, under the mulch in the soil, the activity of earthworms increases. Therefore, in spring, the soil in this area is looser compared to non-mulched areas. Such soil is much easier to cultivate.

In the spring, the old mulch is removed and stacked in compost heap... When growing vegetables in garden beds and high beds mulching will be beneficial. The soil in such beds warms up and dries faster, and the mulch will retain moisture.

Mulch works very well on fruit trees, as well as berry and ornamental shrubs... The soil around them and the paths are mulched. Long-lasting mulch can be used (gravel, needles, crushed bark).

Trunk circles under trees are mulched with cut grass, crushed with green mass, bark, and also with fresh compost. The layers of mulch are made with an average thickness of 5 cm. Mulching the garden for several years significantly increases the permeability of the soil to air.

In gardens, it is imperative to mow the grass when it grows to 15-20 cm. After drying it is used for mulching.

Some gardeners question the benefits of mulching with organic materials. Inhabited by worms and insects, organic mulch attracts birds and provides shelter for mice and moles. The latter are very harmful to young plants, gnawing them. Therefore, when using organic mulch, it is necessary to control rodents.

Mulching is carried out when growing not only vegetables and berries, but also mushrooms, medicinal, ornamental and aromatic plants. Some believe that the presence of mulch makes the plants more flavorful and valuable as medicines. When growing some mushrooms, such as ringworms, mulch is poured in a layer of 10 cm. Mulching will help make flower beds and other flower beds more decorative and attractive.

Known Swiss recipe for mulch. Mix the chopped straw with soil and compost for several weeks. After the formation of a homogeneous dark mass, the mulch is ready for use. After downloading, you can leave the grass on the lawns. A thin layer of mulch is formed from it. However, during the Rainy period, he is able to rot, then fungal diseases will appear in the grass. Therefore, with regular mowing of grass on lawns, the formation of a dense layer that is impervious to air must not be allowed. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the lawns with a rake at least three times a year.

Wood chips and shredded bark are not only good mulch, but also decorative element in the garden and lawns. These materials can also be sprinkled on paths. The thickness of the layer of mulch should be 8-10 cm. This mulch protects against weeds and erosion of paths. It is possible to lay a covering material under the wood mulch, but not a film.

Please note that each mulching material has its own characteristics. For example, the remains of garden plants are crushed and mixed with green fertilizers before being used as mulch. This type of mulch is suitable for any area in the garden.

Fallen leaves are used for mulching without crushing. You can mix it with other types of mulch.

Hay, especially meadow, is a valuable type of mulch.

Mulching straw is used both unchanged and mixed with organic materials.

Manure is a type of mulch that is recommended to be used regularly, but in small quantities. Do not use it for mulching in the winter. This is due to the fact that nutrients are easily washed out of it. Pig manure and bird droppings are not suitable for mulching.

You can use sawdust to sprinkle the paths in the garden. If you mix in them nitrogen fertilizerthen they will decompose faster.

Food waste is used for mulching only after it has formed compost.

The needles are an excellent mulch for those plants that prefer acidic soil.

Mulch made from the ground part of tomatoes scares off cabbage whites.

Mulch is a decorative material in the landscape design of the site. Role mulch can perform any material that is placed on the surface of the soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, as well as for decorating flower beds and decorative groups of trees and shrubs.

Examples of organic mulch include the following materials:

chopped or chipped bark
compost
manure
cut grass
shredded leaves
straw or hay
sawdust
wood chips

Organic mulch decomposes over time and needs to be replaced. But it is in the process of decomposition that mulch increases the content of organic matter... Before buying, for example, manure or compost, you should inquire about their origin, as these materials may contain viable weed seeds, which will subsequently begin to germinate.

Where is organic mulch used:

As inorganic mulch the following materials are used:

black or colored plastic film
garden covering material
stones, gravel, colored synthetic material

Inorganic mulching materials help retain moisture and keep weeds out. They do not add any nutrients to the soil, but they do not decompose and do not require frequent replacement.

I use plastic sheeting and geotextiles more often in places where I would like to avoid frequent weeding. These materials can be used not only around trees and shrubs, but also in garden beds. However, plastic sheeting creates heat on hot summer days, and along with weeds, it can also damage the roots. useful plants with a lack of moisture. Therefore, you need to make sure that the size of the holes in the film is large enough for water to flow freely into the soil. If puddles form on the film, then you need to create additional holes. With geotextiles, such questions should not arise, since the fabric has a porous structure.

Proper mulching helps to preserve water, protect plant roots from high temperatures, and enrich the soil nutrients and inhibit the growth of weeds. Decorative mulch adds color and texture to the surface between plants. Mulching is enough simple process, but you should know some details in order to reap all its benefits.

Steps

Choose a suitable mulching material. Here are some factors to consider:

Prepare the surface. If there is anything you want to do before mulching, do it.

Purchase mulch.

Move the mulch to your property. Many nurseries and garden centers are happy to help you load the mulch into your machine. If you plan to bring the mulch by bike or on foot, take a small trailer or cart to carry the mulch. On site, use a wheelbarrow to move the mulch to where it will be applied. If you don't have a wheelbarrow, try transporting the mulch using a wheeled bin or cart. For small quantities, a bucket or empty flower pot will work.

Add a thick layer of mulch. The thickness of the mulch layer is really important if you want to retain moisture and prevent weed growth. In this case, the thickness of the mulch layer should be at least 5-10 cm.

Do not mulch the area around tree stems and trunks. Leave at least a small distance (10-15 cm) to allow the plant to breathe and to prevent a lack of moisture or waterlogging.
Depending on your garden, you can use mulch to create water pockets.

Spread the mulch evenly with a rake.

Move the mulch where you want to plant something new.

Renew organic mulch once every few years as it decomposes and turns into soil. You can bury the old mulch in the soil so that it decomposes completely, or you can simply sprinkle new mulch on top of the old one.
For the winter, prune some plants and cover them with mulch completely. Mulch provides thermal insulation. Remember to remove the mulch in the spring.
- Instead of cutting off the end of the bag and pouring the mulch like a grain, lay the bag out on a flat surface, cut it along the long side in the middle, then flip and lift the bag. This is a quick and easy way to extract mulch from large, heavy bags.
- Mulch left in bags or piles can begin to decompose or sour without air, especially if it is wet. If this happens, open the bag, sprinkle the mulch and let it air dry for a few days or weeks before adding it to the soil. Its color may vary slightly, but it will not harm your plants. To avoid this problem, apply the mulch immediately rather than leaving it in bags.
- If you put a layer of plastic under the mulch, be sure to apply a layer of mulch thick enough to keep out light. Most plastics are destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. Plastic is waterproof, so it can change the drainage in the areas where you applied it.
Warnings
- Be careful when using plants that spread easily as mulch. Dry them thoroughly before use. Mint and ivy are some of these plants that quickly take up space. Weeds and other plants that can produce seeds are also best removed.
- Plants with thorns become thorny when they dry out. If you do not have the task of protecting the planting from animals (and everyone else), do not use stems of roses or berry bushes as mulch.
- Lift and move cargo in a safe way... Use a cart or wheelbarrow and ask for help if you need it.
- Discard diseased plants and do not use them as mulch or compost. You can create new problem or aggravate an existing one.

The maintenance of a personal plot on which berries or vegetables are grown must necessarily include measures for the protection and nutrition of plants. Moreover, if the garden is small or the dacha farm is conducted far from the city, then it is advisable to use for this purpose with my own hands the resulting mulch. It will not be difficult to figure out what mulch is and where to get it, since it is prepared literally from scrap materials. The only point that should be considered even before the preparation of this top dressing is the type of plant and the effect that mulching should provide.

What is mulch?

In the creation of mulch, weeds, leaves, old sawdust, straw, husks, compost and other materials, waste, and processed products can be used. The main condition is to get a set of nutrients from this raw material. In addition, to understand what mulch is and where to get it at home, you can turn to ordinary manure. If you put it in a specially prepared place in the fall, then by the spring it will find its optimal state for use in mulching. Then it is necessary to scatter it on the soil surface and wait until worms "take away" it into the bowels of the earth. This is how humus is distributed at the level of the soil, where it is. The same is done with other types of mulch - the scheme is simple: to spread the top dressing in the beds, if possible, fence this place with curbs and wait until organic matter gives a result in the form of a rich harvest.

The positive effects of mulch

The mulch cover provides the soil layer with the necessary supply of beneficial microorganisms. In the process of decomposition of this layer, the mineralization of nutrients is accelerated and the efficiency of their assimilation by plants increases. That is, the definition of what is mulch in the garden can have two interpretations. On the one hand, this is a technical operation to protect and nourish the soil layer, and on the other hand, it is the necessary feeding for growth and development. The decomposition of mulched organic matter is carried out directly in the soil layer, as a result of which all valuable trace elements reach their goal and do not die in vain. In some cases, the presence of a cover with mulch eliminates the need to loosen the soil, since root system plants receive an optimal oxygen supply due to the absence of a dense crust on the surface.

Dark or Light?

As you know, the intensity of heat and light absorption is largely determined by the color of the object. Since the interaction of the soil layer with the sun is one of the critical parametersthat determine its fertility, it is worth thinking about the color of the mulch that will cover the garden. In particular, this will allow regulating the thermal regime of the soil. And again the question becomes what is mulch and where to get it to get the right color? For light material, you can use sawdust and straw, and for dark material, humus and foliage. But something else is important. You must first correctly determine what the soil requires in this momentas thermoregulation by mulching can play both positive and negative roles. For example, a dark cover will provide it with heat retention, and a light one will minimize the intake of sunlight, which will reduce the likelihood of soil overheating.

Fresh cut grass mulch

Freshly cut grass is the most affordable material that both a summer resident and a gardener can easily find. The problem with the question of what mulch is and where to get it will disappear by itself, since it can be prepared from lupine, alfalfa, mustard, nettle and pea stalks. That is, a set of quite common herbs that grow in almost all regions of Russia. The composition will be more effective if everything, without exception, is included in it - the soil will be enriched with micronutrients different groups, which will improve the structure of the fertile layer and vegetables. In addition, mulch from the above herbs helps to eliminate pests. For example, young stalks of nettles, scattered along the aisles, protect the strawberries from snails. A chrysanthemum will help in the fight against a bear, and marigolds with marigolds will scare off nematodes.

Compost mulching

Compost itself acts good remedy for structuring soil and supplying vegetation useful substances... It contains live microorganisms that destroy the soil layer. This is another example for those who want to understand what mulch is. The photo below illustrates compost mulching.

Such a cover becomes a barrier not only for pests, but also prevents plant diseases. Compost mulch can be only 2 to 3 cm thick, but this layer is enough to provide plants with protection that no other chemical fungicide can match. For some varieties, there are direct indications from specialists in the use of compost mulching - such, for example, include roses and tomatoes that are prone to diseases.

Wood chip mulch

This material is suitable for perennial flowers. If you have problems finding a place to get this type of mulch, and there are no chips of your own, then you can replace it with bark. Anyway, finished material will have a beneficial effect on the protective properties of the soil, suppress the development of weeds and retain water. By the way, this is the most durable cover among all analogues. Chip mulch can retain its original properties throughout the year.

But there are also restrictions on the use of this mulching tool. Chips should not be used if they evaporate acetic or acidic odor. In such conditions, the plant can die after a couple of hours. The presence of such a pungent odor is due to the fact that the acetic acid contained in wood chips, is abundantly excreted in the process of decay without access to oxygen. When deciding where to get mulch in the spring, you should carefully look at others. wood materials... As a last resort, you can use the branches conifers, which are no less effective and, depending on the plant, can double the yield.

Covering mulch

Mulching is often performed using household film or woven materials. By covering the garden bed with such a flooring, you can achieve moisture retention, suppression of weeds and loosening of the soil. Now the question must be answered: what is mulch and where to get it to form such a coating? The cover can consist of cardboard, roofing material and tar - the main thing is that the material does not transmit light.

The advantages of this mulching method include practicality and durability. Depending on the characteristics, this layer can last for several years. But there is also a serious disadvantage. Unlike humus, wood chips and compost, such a shelter will not provide nutrition. Optimum regulation of moisture and temperature on the soil surface as well as physical protection of the plant can be achieved as much as possible.