What is mulching. From tree bark

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

By applying various methods of agricultural technology, you can achieve better results when cultivating your own personal plot with less effort. For example, once using the mulching technique to cultivate the soil surface, you can for a long time forget about watering, loosening and weeding. Plants will feel comfortable without additional care. And decorative mulch, which is available in a huge assortment, will decorate the garden, set accents and fill the empty spaces of the beds.

Mulching technology

Before we cover the ground protective layer from covering material, it needs to be prepared.

You need to do the following:

Remove weeds from the entire area of the treated surface;
Water the bed so that moisture remains in it, which we will save;
Loosen the earth to a depth of at least 5 cm;
Ventilate, slightly drying the top layer of soil so that when mulching it does not sink and compact.

When to mulch?

Covering measures that contribute to the 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 layer of mulch will prevent thawing by keeping the cold close to the roots. This can lead to the death of plants.

In the fall, soil cover is also produced. After all, under a protective layer is 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 the mulch of various cultivated plants, For example, . He winters well under the 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 to the root. For successful protection from the cold over, climbing roses, actinidia, clematis with their own hands build dry shelter. You can’t just fill them with sawdust - during thaws, water will wet the covering substrate, and with a significant drop in temperature, it will turn into an ice shell, under which plants can die.

For the construction of a reliable shelter used wooden frames or boxes under which lashes and creepers 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, because wood shavings does not protect plants from excessive moisture ingress. On top, you need to make another layer that prevents it from getting in. 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 right choice it is necessary to have information about the properties of protective materials.

Mulching with green plant residues

siderates

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

In the spring, as soon as the earth 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 protection, shading young shoots 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 earth is covered with the resulting straw. She serves good material for mulching, at the same time feeding the soil with nitrogenous compounds.

It must be remembered that immediately after removal from the soil, green manure cannot be used. 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

After weeding the garden or mowing the lawn, a lot of grass remains. Throwing it away is irrational, therefore this type of plant waste has two ways of implementation. The first is to compost them. The second is to organize grass mulching of beds, flower beds and near-stem circles of fruit trees.

You can also throw weeded potatoes with mowed grass, instead of hilling. The tubers will develop perfectly in a loose layer of half-rotted substrate, and in the fall, potatoes can be easily removed by pulling the bushes by the tops.

But gourds, cucumbers and cabbage cannot be mulched with grass, as they can become infected with rot or fungus. For the winter, fresh grass mulch should not be left, as pests can start in it. Best to use plant remains a second time by sending them to compost. As a covering material for winter, well-dried hay is used, which is used to cover near-stem circles of trees just before frost.

Video: an example of mulching tomatoes with plant residues

Mulching with sawdust

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

Mulching is one of the most common methods of such shelter. Especially often they are used for. Under a warm blanket coarse chips strawberries and garden strawberries winter well and do not get sick various types rot. Pathogenic flora is the very negative factor that significantly affects the yield. But when using sawdust, which act as a sorbent, a significant part of the berries sing quietly on the bushes, and do not rot, since they do not come into contact with moist soil.

Strawberry mulching technology is simple and effective:

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

Mulching with hay and straw

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

The process itself can be divided into several stages:

Covering the ground with cardboard. It can be laid directly on overwintered grass as soon as the snow melts. The purpose 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 using a solution of any ready-made biostimulant, and germinate in the sun, planting a tuber. These preparatory procedures have a healing effect, so that subsequently the potatoes under the mulch do not get sick with late blight.
The next stage is the planting of 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 to the sunlight.
The final stage of planting is the straw mulching of the entire row. To do this, the dry remains of cereal crops are poured directly on top of the cardboard, with a layer of at least 15-20 cm. Some use hay for shelter, but it has a significant drawback - it is a carrier and accumulator of weed seeds.

This method, revolutionary for the minds of many gardeners, has many advantages. First, it is minimal in terms of labor costs. Imagine, you do not have to plow, weed and hill up plantings. Potatoes under mulch grow well without too much intervention. The exception is drought, when you have to water your plantings a couple of times. And still, the amount of physical labor used is incommensurable with traditional way landing.

Harvesting potatoes that have grown under thatch cover is also a cakewalk compared to traditional digging. This is a fairly clean job, as getting to the tubers is very easy - you just need to push the straw, and harvest.

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

Video: comparison of potato yield when mulching different types

Mulching with textiles and film

This type of protective procedures is applied in two cases:

The first - during the construction of "dry blankets" for the winter for various ornamental plants and vines, as already mentioned 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. Applying this method in the summer, use only a transparent film and agrotextile. But the black film is used before the start of planting. It has too strong a depressing effect on any plant flora, therefore, even with the use of 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.

Agrotextiles are very often used for mulching strawberries. Usually they take non-woven tightly, which allows moisture to pass through. It is spread over all surfaces of the beds, cutting out circles for berry bushes at an equal distance. When using this method, strawberries produce excellent fruit throughout the season, and require little or no additional care.

Mulching with peat

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 washing out 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 on 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 backfill. Peat is also used in the garden, for mulching various crops that require increased care, such as tomatoes. Under nightshade, this substrate is applied when they are well rooted, a couple of weeks after planting the 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 becomes loose, which allows the raspberry root system to develop well.

Mulching with bark and wood chips

This way of caring for the garden gains more and more 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 made 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. Also, it does not compact for a long time due to its porous structure and relief 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 near-stem circles of trees

The bark has been used for mulching 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 perfectly decorates 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 dimensional indicators 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 that guarantee a minimum inclusion of chip dust in the composition. This property helps protect the beds from oxidation.

Chips for mulching perform the same functions as other materials. It keeps the soil moist and loose, stimulates the development of beneficial microflora, naturally forms humus. In addition to all the above advantages, this material is perfect for decorating the site.

decorative mulch options - based on wood chips and bark

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

Precautionary measures

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 a sour vinegar smell, then it is better to postpone the purchase. Most likely, wet chips were stored without access to oxygen, and decay products that were very harmful to plants began to be produced in it.

But, if the acquisition has already been made, the situation can be corrected. The wood chips must be well dried. 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

Pine needles are used to mulch plants that are prone to massive pest attacks, such as garlic.

Eggshell

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

Using various improvised materials for mulching beds, you can greatly simplify your life. The protected roots of plants fully use all the moisture introduced into the ground, which provides them with excellent nutrition. The need for constant watering disappears, as well as constant loosening. Mulching the soil will help bring the garden and 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 different mulching materials

Mulching is a soil cover under fruit trees or vegetable plants protective layer. You can also mulch the soil between 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, and weathering. Mulching has similar effects. At the same time, it enriches the soil with organic matter and promotes the development of the root system of plants.

Mulching prevents the formation of a crust on the soil surface, reduces the growth of weeds. 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, as the mulch does not let in the sun's rays and does not allow the hardening of the earth.

Under a layer of mulch, soil bacteria actively multiply. Mulch is for many of them additional source Nutrients (substances. Under the mulch, earthworms and small animals breed well, which contribute to improving the structure of the soil. In summer, a layer of green mulch is easily and quickly processed by microorganisms. In this regard, the mulch must be sprinkled periodically.

Under a layer of mulch, optimal temperature and soil moisture for plants are maintained. Changes in soil temperature occur less abruptly. This has a positive effect on the metabolism in plants. The greatest effect of mulching is observed in areas with dry weather, as the mulch prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil. Under the mulch, weeds die, as they lack sunlight.

Mulching methods

There are three ways to mulch:

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

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

✓ Sprinkling the soil with compost.

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

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

For many plants, nutrient requirements are reduced by a third under such a mulch. It should be noted that it is necessary to fertilize the soil before mulching with these materials. The best time to do this is when planting. If possible, immediately after this, the beds are covered with mulching material. At 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 do not stop weeds from growing.

❧ Some plants prefer colored mulch. For example, cabbage is different the 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 higher - by 2 degrees. In early spring beds are covered with it 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 occur more actively.

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 becomes depleted, since organic plant residues do not enter it.

Moisture is well maintained under the black film in the soil. Water that evaporates from the soil surface accumulates in the form of droplets on the film and falls back again. Therefore, soil moisture is maintained under the film at the same level. Mulching with a black film between rows when growing zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, corn leads to an increase in yield by 30%, moreover, the fruits always remain clean, good quality and it's much easier to assemble them.

If you cover young trees and shrubs with a black film, 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 indoors. 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 autumn.

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

Mulching with organic materials is more beneficial to 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 gardens and gardens you can use green fertilizers (crushed green parts of plants), plant residues, weeds that have not reached the flowering stage, straw, hay, manure, fallen leaves, chopped wood bark, sawdust.

Good mulch is compost, including unripe, and a mixture of unripe manure and green mass. It is especially good to use such 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.

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

It must be remembered that the greater the fertility of the soil, the sooner the mulch will decompose and turn into humus.

The layer of mulch should not be made thick, as its lower part will dampen 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. As necessary (about 1 time in 2 weeks), mulching should be repeated.

Improving the structure of heavy soils during mulching appears only after 2-3 years.

Execute it in summer period immediately after planting and watering plants. In summer, it is recommended to use only well-chopped mulch. The emerging shoots are sprinkled with sand, ripened compost, chopped grass. You can also sprinkle mulch and aisles.

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

Mulching beds in the winter has some adverse effects. If the plants overwintered under a layer of mulch, then it is likely that they will suffer from late spring frosts. In the spring, air cushions form under the mulch layer, which makes it difficult to warm the soil and contribute to the freezing of plants. Therefore, after winter mulching, re-mulching in spring is necessary.

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 hill beds and high beds mulching would be helpful. The earth in such beds warms up and dries faster, and the mulch retains moisture.

Mulch works very well fruit trees, as well as berries and ornamental shrubs. The soil around them and the paths are subjected to mulching. You can use mulch with a long shelf life (gravel, needles, crushed bark).

Trunk circles under the trees are mulched with cut grass, chopped green mass, bark, and fresh compost. Layers of mulch are made of medium thickness - 5 cm. Mulching the garden for several years significantly increases the permeability of the soil to air.

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

Some gardeners doubt the benefits of mulching with organic materials. Organic mulch is inhabited by worms and insects, it attracts birds, it is a hiding place for mice and moles. The latter are very harmful to young plants, gnawing them. Therefore, when using organic mulch, it is necessary to carry out rodent control.

Mulching is performed when growing not only vegetables and berries, but also mushrooms, medicinal, ornamental and aromatic plants. Some believe that the presence of mulch makes plants more fragrant and valuable 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. It is necessary to mix the crushed straw with the earth 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. It forms a thin layer of mulch. However, during the Rainy season, it 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, air-tight layer should 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 a good mulch, but also decorative element in the garden and lawns. Paths can also be sprinkled with these materials. The thickness of the mulch layer should be 8-10 cm. This mulch protects against weeds and erosion of the paths. Under the wood mulch, it is possible to lay a covering material, but not a film.

It must be borne in mind that each material for mulching has its own characteristics. For example, the remains of garden plants are crushed before being used as mulch, mixed with green fertilizers. 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.

A valuable type of mulch is hay, especially meadow.

Straw for mulching 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.

Sawdust can be used to sprinkle paths in the garden. If you mix them nitrogen fertilizer they will decompose faster.

Food waste is used for mulching only after the formation of compost from them.

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

Mulch made from the ground part of tomatoes repels cabbage whites.

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

Examples of organic mulch are:

crushed or chopped bark
compost
manure
cut grass
crushed 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 ask about their origin, as these materials may contain viable weed seeds that will subsequently begin to germinate.

Where organic mulch is 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 contribute any useful substances to the soil, but they do not decompose, and do not require frequent replacement.

I use plastic film 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 film creates heat on hot summer days, and along with weeds, it can also damage roots. useful plants with a lack of moisture. Therefore, you need to make sure that the size of the holes in the film is sufficient for water to freely pass 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 conserve water, protect plant roots from high temperatures, and enrich soils. nutrients and inhibit the growth of weeds. Decorative mulch adds color and surface texture between plants. Mulching is enough simple process, but you need to know some details in order to take full advantage of it.

Steps

Choose the right mulching material. Here are some factors to consider:

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

Buy mulch.

Move the mulch to your yard. Many nurseries and garden centers will be happy to help you load your car with mulch. If you plan to deliver the mulch by bike or on foot, take a small trailer or cart to haul the mulch in. In the area, 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 trash can or cart. For a small amount, a bucket or an empty flower pot will do.

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 around stems and tree trunks. Leave at least a small distance (10-15 cm) to allow the plant to breathe and to prevent lack of moisture or waterlogging.
Depending on your garden, you can use mulch to create water indentations.

Spread the mulch in an even layer with a rake.

Move the mulch back where you want to plant something new.

Refresh the organic mulch once every few years as it decomposes and becomes soil. You can bury the old mulch in the soil so that it completely decomposes, or simply pour new mulch on top of the old one.
For the winter, prune some plants and cover them completely with mulch. 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 out like grain, lay the bag out on a flat surface, cut it along the long side down the middle, then flip it over and lift the bag up. 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 turn sour without air, especially if it is damp. If this happens, open the bag, loosen 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 this 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 thick enough layer of mulch to keep light out. Most plastics break down when exposed to ultraviolet light. The plastic is waterproof, so it can change the drainage in areas where you have applied it.
Warnings
- Be careful with plants that spread easily as mulch. Dry them thoroughly before use. Mint and ivy are some of the plants that take over space quickly. Weeds and other plants that can produce seeds are also best removed.
- Plants with thorns become prickly when they dry out. Unless you have the task of keeping animals (and everyone else) out of the planting, don't use rose stems or berry bushes as mulch.
- Lift and move a load 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 economy is kept away 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 improvised materials. The only point that should be taken into account even before the preparation of this top dressing is the type of plant and the effect that mulching should provide.

What is mulch?

Weeds, leaves, old sawdust, straw, husks, compost and other materials, waste, as well as processed products can be used in the creation of mulch. 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 also turn to ordinary manure. If in the fall it is put in a specially prepared place, then by spring it will acquire the optimal condition for use in mulching. Next, it must be scattered on the soil surface and wait until the worms "pull" it into the bowels of the earth. This is how the distribution of humus occurs at the level of the soil where it is located. They do the same with other types of mulch - the scheme is simple: spread the top dressing over the beds, if possible, protect this place with borders and wait until the organic matter gives a result in the form of a rich harvest.

The positive impact of mulch

The mulching 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 mulch is 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 nutrition 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 microelements achieve 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 supply of oxygen due to the absence of a dense crust on the surface.

Dark or light?

As you know, the intensity of absorption of heat and light is largely determined by the color of the object. Since the interaction of the soil layer with the sun is one of the most important parameters that determine its fertility, you should think about the color of the mulch that will cover the garden bed. In particular, this will allow to regulate 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 needs in this moment, since thermoregulation by mulching can play both a positive and a negative role. For example, a dark cover will provide it with heat retention, and a light one will minimize the flow of sunlight, which will reduce the likelihood of overheating of the soil.

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 is mulch 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 is included in it without exception - the soil will be enriched with micronutrients different groups, which will improve the structure of the fertile layer and vegetables. In addition, the mulch from the above herbs helps to eliminate pests. For example, young stalks of nettles scattered along the aisle will protect strawberries from snails. Chrysanthemum will help in the fight against the bear, and marigolds with marigolds will scare away nematodes.

Mulching with compost

The compost acts on its own a good remedy for structuring the 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 mulching with compost.

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

wood chip mulch

This material is suitable as a means intended for perennial flowers. If you have problems finding a place to get this type of mulch, and you don’t have your own wood chips, then you can replace it with bark. Anyway, finished material will have a beneficial effect on the protective qualities 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 is able to retain its original properties throughout the year.

But there are also limitations on the use of this mulching tool. Wood chips should not be used if they emit an acetic or acidic smell. Under such conditions, the plant may 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 released during decay without access to oxygen. When deciding where to get mulch in the spring, you should carefully look at other wood materials. As a last resort, you can use branches coniferous trees, which are no less effective and, depending on the plant, can double the yield.

Mulch based cover material

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

The advantages of this method of mulching 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. As much as possible, optimal regulation of moisture and temperature on the soil surface, as well as physical protection of the plant, can be achieved.