Inorganic mulch materials
Some gardeners use old roofing felt or linoleum as mulch. Similar inorganic materials
Due to the thick texture, it is inconvenient to use. These building materials contain hazardous chemical compounds, which casts doubt on obtaining an environmentally friendly harvest.
Working with mulch
Black agrofibre, roofing felt, and polyethylene film are spread and secured on the beds before planting seedlings. High-quality materials last for several years - as a rule, until the plantation is renewed, which is recommended every 3 to 4 seasons.
Loose organic mulch (needles, peat, humus) is spread evenly over the bed, forming a layer 6–7 cm thick (it soon settles to 4–5 cm). It is advisable to do this work immediately after planting the mustache, but it can be done later - at any convenient time. In those gardens where strawberries suffer from pests (weevils, etc.) and/or diseases (gray rot, powdery mildew, leaf spots), it is necessary to periodically update the organic mulch. It is removed from the beds and burned, and a fresh layer is poured in its place. This work is done in the spring (after the snow melts, the soil thaws) and immediately after the strawberries bear fruit.
Black film
One of the popular types of soil cover is black plastic film.
. Mulching is carried out even before planting young rosettes. Prepare the soil in the beds: apply fertilizers, dig, level and water.
The surface of the bed is covered with film, the ends are secured at the edges. Holes 8-10 cm in diameter or cross-shaped cuts are made in the film at a distance of 30 cm in a row and 40-50 cm in rows. Strawberries are planted in the holes.
The film protects the soil under strawberry bushes from washing out and drying out, keeps it loose, keeps weeds from growing, and protects the berries from contamination and getting wet. In spring, the black film contributes to the fastest warming of the soil.
Compared to similar products, polyethylene film is not expensive, and many manufacturers already offer film with ready-made holes for planting strawberries. This reduces the gardener's labor costs.
The fragility of the film is compensated by its price, but when using it for strawberries, this becomes not an important factor.
No one will mulch adult plants every year. Manufacturers are constantly working to improve films, adding dyes and stabilizers that can protect the material from cracking under the influence of temperatures.
Such films will last for 3-4 years, just until the strawberry plantations are completely renewed. When choosing a film for mulching
pay attention to the thickness - it should be
at least 30 microns
.
Also one of the most important selection factors is the color of the film. The black film performs two main tasks: it prevents the growth of weeds and effectively warms the soil. For northern regions, with short summers and changeable weather, this is the most acceptable option.
Gray, brown or two-color film (the top layer is white and the bottom layer is black) is an excellent option for the southern regions. Such films reduce the risk of soil overheating in summer.
Using black film as mulch
, it has such a disadvantage as the accumulation of condensation under it in the summer heat. The risk of overheating is reduced by laying a layer of straw on the surface of the film; it reflects the sun's rays and protects the film from deformation at high temperatures.
Gardeners used their ingenuity and began planting strawberry beds in raised beds. Make small hills 30-40 cm high from the soil, compact the soil, throw a film on top, securing the edges at the base of the earthen rampart. Strawberries are planted in the slots made on top. Condensation from raised strawberry beds flows downwards.
In spring, such beds warm up the fastest.
When using black film, gardeners may encounter the following problems:
— the film does not allow water to pass through, watering is carried out through holes under the bushes; — over-watering strawberries under the film, condensation accumulates, which leads to root rot; — condensation on the film during spring frosts can cause damage or death to plants: — slugs may appear due to excess humidity; — the soil under the film is quickly depleted, beneficial microflora die in it without sufficient access to oxygen; — in the summer heat, the film becomes very hot, which leads to overheating of the soil; - with sudden changes in temperature and under direct sunlight, the film cracks and becomes unusable.
What is mulching?
Garden strawberries or strawberries have a superficial root system, that is, located in a layer of soil that is greatly depleted over the course of the season under the influence of unfavorable factors.
Minerals are removed from the soil, the covering layer freezes and dries out. As a result, good (useful) microorganisms living in the soil layers and forming humus move to depth. The composition loses its fertility.
Is it possible to mulch strawberries? Yes, and it is absolutely necessary to do this. The procedure consists of covering the soil under the bushes with different materials. They act as a shield - they protect the soil from the influence of various factors.
As a result, the activity of beneficial microorganisms, worms and insects, which can improve the composition of the soil, increases. As a result, fruiting increases.
When using the method, the following is ensured:
- protection of the root system from overheating and freezing;
- barrier to water evaporation, reducing the need for irrigation;
- the risk of plant damage from bacterial and viral infections is reduced;
- the berries do not come into contact with the ground, therefore they do not rot;
- When organic mulch decomposes, all the necessary minerals enter the soil; this happens gradually, therefore the exchange between the root and leaf parts is maintained.
Another benefit is that mulch helps grow weed-free strawberries because it blocks light from reaching the soil.
Advice! Before choosing the best material, you need to determine the main purpose. If strawberry mulch is used as a fertilizer, it is better to choose organic.
Nonwoven materials
Modern nonwoven materials
increasingly used in strawberry beds. These materials are more expensive, but are superior to traditional film in durability.
In the market you can find these types of non-woven material
: Russian spunbond and agrotex, German lutrasil, Ukrainian agrin, French agril, Polish plant-protex.
But the variety should not scare the gardener - all these materials consist of fabric obtained by interweaving polypropylene threads. Nonwoven materials differ only in the way they are weaved and processed, but they perform the same functions.
Video - Planting strawberries in non-woven covering material
Spunbond is widely used in gardens and gardens; it does not fade or crack, and is not afraid of low temperatures.
Attention: watering strawberries mulched with non-woven material can be done on top, and not pointwise into the hole.
The main advantage of spunbond
unlike polyethylene film - the ability to allow air and moisture to pass through - it has a breathable structure. This simplifies the care of strawberry beds and allows you to water over the entire surface and not into the holes.
Spunbond consists of two layers: the top layer freely allows moisture to pass through, the bottom layer prevents its further evaporation. In regions with arid climates this is necessary.
But when there are prolonged rains in the summer, spunbond loses to film, since the soil becomes excessively waterlogged.
If we compare spunbond with black film, it slowly warms the soil in the spring, but does not give off heat so actively, which is beneficial during periods of cold weather.
In rows mulched with spunbond, pests do not grow, condensation does not accumulate, beneficial soil microflora do not die, and it protects the berries from contamination and wetness, and from rot.
Black spunbond is used for mulching
, which warms the soil faster and better and prevents the growth of weeds. On sale there is spunbond of different colors, and two-color varieties with a black bottom layer and a white top layer that reflects the sun's rays in the summer, protecting the soil from overheating.
For mulching, choose spunbond with a high density of 60 g/ m2
.
Video - High beds for strawberries under covering material
How to water mulched strawberries?
Mulch retains soil moisture well, so the number and volume of watering mulched strawberries is greatly reduced. The best time for watering is early morning. In this case, the moisture will be absorbed into the soil within a day, and the top layer of mulch will have time to dry. This is important because Excessive moisture can lead to disease of the bushes with gray rot.
Shelter made from natural materials must be updated regularly. Decaying mulch can also harbor harmful microorganisms. To avoid this, remove the old mulch from the garden bed and lay a new one.
Remember that you need to water strawberries mulched with film directly under the bush. Otherwise, the water will simply flow down the film and the plants will be left without the moisture they need.
When using synthetic mulch, it can be difficult to know when to water. To make this task easier, create a watering schedule and follow it.
Mulching is a great way to grow a rich crop of strawberries. Mulch not only helps saturate the soil with moisture and beneficial microelements, but also makes the gardener’s work easier. Covering strawberries prevents pests from developing and protects against the germination of weeds, due to which the time for weeding the beds is greatly reduced.
Mulching strawberry beds with these materials will help achieve a good harvest and keep strawberry bushes in excellent condition until late autumn.
You may also find the following materials useful:
- Everything you need to know about watering grapes in the summer
- Why doesn't apricot bear fruit? Basic ways to solve the problem
- Formative pruning of the currant crown will provide all parts of the plant with sunlight
- Fertilizing strawberries: from bud formation to fruiting
- Do-it-yourself multi-tiered pyramid-shaped bed for strawberries
Organic mulch materials
Using inorganic materials as mulch, you will have to restore soil fertility over time and add the necessary organic matter.
Using Organic Mulch
, which gradually rots under the influence of soil microorganisms, subsequently the soil is saturated with humic compounds, the soil remains fertile.
Covering the soil with organic mulch
, it remains moist for a long time, retains a loose structure, easily allows air to pass through, stops the growth of weeds (although not as actively as film), and prevents plants from being damaged by fungal diseases.
The main disadvantage of using organic materials
– it is necessary to regularly update the mulch; the thinner the layer, the faster it rots. But the cost of materials is reduced to almost zero.
Cones
Useful mulch from spruce or pine cones
. But such natural material is rarely used: if there is a pine or spruce forest nearby, coniferous litter is used.
Cone mulch on strawberry beds
will last a long time, it will take several years to rot. Cones, laid out in a dense layer under the bushes, will protect the plants from adverse weather conditions, perfectly retain moisture in the soil, and also make the beds decorative.
Coniferous litter
pine needles as mulch.
– free and accessible material that can be collected in a nearby coniferous forest.
Coniferous litter
spread under strawberry bushes and between rows in a layer of 3-5 cm. This mulch copes with the task. Coniferous litter should be used carefully on acidic soils, since the process of decay increases the pH level of the soil.
Spruce and pine needles
contain powerful phytoncides that effectively repel pests. The antiseptic properties of pine needles reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Video - Mulching strawberries / How to mulch correctly
Lowland peat
Peat
– an organic type of mulch, effectively retains moisture after watering, thanks to its porous structure, protects against weathering and leaching, prevents the growth of weeds, and protects plants from temperature changes.
Heavy clay soil mulched with peat becomes looser and more air-intensive over time. Mulched with peat
sandy soil will become water-absorbing.
It is better to use lowland peat for mulching
. High-moor peat significantly increases the acidity of the soil; with irregular watering, it dries out and turns into a dense crust that is poorly soaked with water.
It is easier for residents of areas with a predominance of marshy areas to obtain peat. But extracting peat from the ground and subsequent processing is a very labor-intensive process. It’s easier to buy ready-made peat in packaged form at any gardening store at an affordable price.
Straw and hay
An effective type of organic mulch for strawberry beds
, which decomposes faster and does not affect the acidity of the soil.
During the process of rotting straw
Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial microorganism that prevents the occurrence of fungal diseases, multiplies in the soil.
Hay
inhibits the growth of weeds worse than straw, but has better nutritional value; when rotted, it turns out to be an excellent fertilizer for strawberries.
Video - Growing strawberries under hay (straw)
Sawdust and shavings
Wood sawdust and shavings
An excellent mulch option for strawberry plantations. This mulching material copes with its functions perfectly, but it should be used carefully, since fresh shavings and sawdust can make the soil acidic and draw nitrogen out of it.
To counteract this, it is necessary to spill the sawdust with a urea solution - 200 grams of urea per 10 liters of water, enough to water 3 buckets of fresh sawdust.
The acidic soil in the area must be additionally limed (the norms are calculated based on the pH level in each specific area). Wood waste that has been rotted for several seasons is also used. They are laid out under strawberry bushes without danger.
Humus and compost
Compost and humus are often used as mulch in strawberry beds.
. They have excellent thermal insulation properties, protect plants from hypothermia and overheating, and protect the soil from weathering and drying out.
Such organic matter best feeds strawberry bushes, but is quickly processed by soil organisms and earthworms. Therefore, you have to update the mulch layer more often.
Weeds and lawn clippings
Weeds pulled out from the garden or lawn grass cut down
will become an alternative to hay and straw. At first, the weeds will act as mulch, then they will become a source of additional nutrition. Weeds should be taken without seeds and roots, otherwise you can introduce even larger hordes of green pests into the beds.
Keep in mind that a thick layer of freshly cut grass will decrease in size in a few days, and in cloudy weather, instead of drying out, the green mass will rot and cause fungal infections.
Therefore, before covering the beds with strawberries with such free mulch, it should be dried for 2-3 days, turning from one side to the other.
Shredded bark
This organic mulch is the most durable, shredded bark
, within two years it rots to 30% of its original mass.
If we compare crushed bark with other types of mulch, it is less effective at restraining moisture evaporation after watering, but more effectively protects plants from overheating in summer and freezing in spring.
Remember
that the bark, when rotted, increases the pH level of the soil, and the content of tannins in some tree species negatively affects the development and fruiting of strawberries.
Fallen leaves
Sometimes gardeners use fallen leaves as mulch.
from their garden, or stock up on them in the forest. Tree leaves do not have the same nutritional value as other organic types of mulch, but they improve the structure of the soil when rotting, making it loose, air- and water-permeable.
A 3-5 cm layer of compacted leaves will protect the soil from drying out, restrain the growth of weeds, and protect the berries from contamination. This mulch helps out in dry summers, but in rainy weather the leaves begin to rot and diseases develop.
When rotting, the leaves slightly acidify the soil, and leaves from trees such as walnut, aspen, oak, and willow contain tannins, which have an inhibitory effect on strawberry growth.
We reviewed all types of mulch used in strawberry plots; choosing the most suitable one in terms of characteristics and price is up to you.
Wishing you high yields and healthy plants!
When should mulch be used?
Mulching can be used repeatedly when growing strawberries. The very first time in the warm season this is done immediately after planting the plant - at the time when the ovaries begin to appear.
Thanks to this preparation, they do not touch the ground during growth and maturation.
When the cold season approaches, before the onset of winter cold, plants will once again need mulching in the fall. This is done in order to protect the bushes from winter cold. This mulch is removed in the spring so that it does not interfere with the growth of strawberries.
Which is better?
All straw can be divided according to the following parameters :
The question of which straw is best to use is decided depending on several factors.
The most effective straw for fertilizing the soil is the straw from those plants that are planted in this area, as well as their green manure. This allows you to less frequently change crops intended for planting on the site without reducing yield.
If we are talking about gardens or flower beds with perennial plants, then it does not matter what crop the straw is obtained from, you will still need to add additional fertilizers , at least humus and manure.
The size of the straw determines how convenient it is to work with it, so the most popular material is cut into small (1–5 cm) pieces using an appropriate straw cutter or crusher, which we talked about here.
The crushed material can be poured either in a continuous layer or in various shapes, filling the space between plants and not approaching their trunks. Unground material can only be poured in a continuous layer, so it is used much less frequently.
In addition, to reduce the volume of collected straw, it is pressed into rolls or bags, so before laying such mulch still has to be either pulled apart or chopped.
Dry straw has a lower density than straw that has just begun to rot, because in order for humus-forming bacteria to begin processing cellulose, it is necessary to significantly increase the level of humidity, and some of the liquid will be absorbed into the cells of the material.
Partially rotted straw has a slightly less durable structure, and humus from straw, although it retains its shape, is almost devoid of rigidity, so
the effect on improving the soil structure directly depends on the condition .
The same dependence has an attractiveness for participants in the process of soil regeneration - the fresher the material, the more worms and other participants in this process will gather for a “feast”.
In terms of protection from high/low temperatures and loss of moisture, fresh material is barely noticeably superior to partially rotted material and noticeably superior to humus, but this ratio is much less than that of compost and humus from other materials.
In addition, the timing of material application is of great importance . In the spring it is best to use fully rotted straw, while in the high season it is most effective to apply partially rotted mulch.
But after harvesting green manure, it is necessary to fill the ground with only fresh raw materials in order to speed up the process of soil regeneration.
Also, in spring and summer, crushed material is most preferable, especially if you have to mulch annual plants.
If you have to mulch trees or apply mulch in the fall, it is better to use dried, but not compressed, plant stems. Therefore, the choice of product and its effectiveness directly depend on how and for what it will be used.
Slicing
Cutting straw into mulch can be done using :
A knife and scissors are used only if it is necessary to cut several kilograms of material, for example, for feeding rabbits or parrots.
However, if the count is tens of kilograms or more, then it is necessary to use special grinding devices, that is :
However, straw cutters will be the most effective, because their design best suits this particular material. After turning on such a mechanism, compressed or uncompressed straw is loaded into it, which it successfully chops.
If such a device cannot be purchased for various reasons, then you can make it yourself , which is what the article about a do-it-yourself shredder will help you with.
