Mulching with sawdust raises yield

Mulching with sawdust - a technique known to gardeners for a long time, "peeped" by nature. In the forests, the natural mantle of dead plant materials reliably protects the soil (and, hence, the roots) from leaching, drying out, erosion. In addition to sawdust, chips (or pieces of bark), leaves, paper, grass, fine gravel (used more for decoration), film can be used.

Mulching with sawdust is a great way to enrich a meager soil on which plants, even forming a lot of ovaries, if not die, lose fruit. A layer of mulch allows the root system to develop, absorbing mineral fertilizers and much-needed moisture in the heat. The surface layer does not harden, which means, among other things, the earth remains loose and roots can "breathe".

Mulching with sawdust can be compared with the creation of paradise for soil and surface bacteria. Covered from direct sunlight, they absorb the mass of mulch and, by processing it, leave fertile soil. In addition, such a covering material is a real storehouse for soil insects and other organisms involved in improving soil structure.

Mulching tomatoes with sawdust, for example, is simply necessary in areas that are prone to prolonged droughts. The open land is quickly heated, and with it - and the roots of the plant. Frequent watering does not save, and sometimes even harm (especially day watering, after which water, seeping through hot soil, reaches the roots). The only way out that would save the harvest is to cover the land with mulch.

The second example is mulching strawberries with sawdust. Admission will not only increase the yield, but also keep the berries clean and undamaged, as they do not touch the ground, and therefore do not rot. And to collect such a strawberry is much more convenient.

It is worth remembering also that mulching with sawdust does not allow the land to overheat in summer and reduces the freezing of the soil in winter Oh. Mulch suppresses (or completely excludes) the growth of weeds.

How to properly mulch sawdust?

First, it is worth remembering the following: a layer of mulch under the berry crop (any) should be constantly. If you do not plan to make "chemistry", some of the sawdust is mixed with a part of the manure (already rotted). If the manure is brought in the fall (for the winter), then the content of nitrates in the fruits will not increase.

Secondly, the more fertile the soil, the more mulch decomposes faster. After it a thin layer of humus is formed, accelerating the decomposition of the next layer of mulch. The process of formation of fertile soil is slow, so you will see results three or four years after the first mulching.

Thirdly, you can not cover The thick layers of mulch are heavy soils, otherwise the decay of its lower part will begin, especially in rainy times. The permissible height of the covering material on clay soils is 2 cm.

Fourth, the first mulching is carried out only in the summer (in some regions - in the spring), immediately after sowing or planting seedlings. Before this, a good, abundant watering is needed. Mulch this time should be carefully crushed. Seed sites should be indicated.

For winter mulching, a mixture of sawdust, plant residues and unrepentant manure is best suited. The thickness of the layer is determined by the type of soil (up to 5 cm in heavy and up to 10 cm on light soils).