What is mulching and what benefit does it bring?

What is mulching? Let's try to explain this term using the following example. Under the trees and bushes, naturally a layer of fallen leaves, decaying branches and dry grass is formed. These organic residues protect the soil from drying out, weathering and erosion. Under cultivated plants, such a layer does not have time to form, therefore it is necessary to use special agrotechnics called mulching.

Covering the soil in beds, flower beds, under bushes and fruit trees with an artificial protective layer - that's what mulching is. In this case, the selected area can be completely covered with mulch, and only in the aisles. In addition to protecting the soil layer from rain-washing, weathering and sudden temperature changes, mulching reduces the number of watering because moisture is better preserved in the soil and gets rid of heavy weeding. Mulch does not allow the development of weeds that lack sunlight under opaque material, so the beds remain clean. In addition, after watering does not remain drying hard crust. Mulching is actively used in arid places, where it is difficult to save a different amount of moisture in the soil in a different way.

A variety of materials can be used as mulch. All of them can be divided into two types: inorganic and organic. The first group includes roofing felt, ruberoid, a film for mulching (black or colored, but not transparent) and other artificial materials. As organic mulch, sawdust, wood bark, mown green grass, straw, fallen leaves, needles, compost and even newsprint can be used. Different cultures prefer their covering material. Organic mulch is also good because in the process of decay it becomes a nutrient layer for plants.

What is the mulching of garden trees and shrubs? A layer of mulch cover the circle of the earth around them and the path. To do this, you can use long-acting organics, for example, pine needles or sawdust. Gravel, too, will do. Malinnik, for example, can be covered with sawdust. Mulching with wood bark also carries a decorative function, which is why it is often used in landscape design.

The simplest mulching of a lawn is not to remove the mown grass. It should be ensured that a too dense layer is not formed, which is capable of decaying during the rains, some fungus may get into it. Therefore, at least three times a year, the lawns must be harvested by rakes.
Mulching is often used for growing berries and vegetables. Usually for this purpose a black film is used in which holes for plants are cut. With the film, it is much more convenient to collect pure berries than from the ground, especially after the rain. But tomatoes, for example, prefer red film, and cabbage - white.

Now that you've sorted out a bit about what mulching is and what unquestionable benefits it brings, you can choose the right mulch for the culture that will grow in your area.