There are many ways to control weeds. You can remove unwanted vegetation from the beds using conventional mechanical weeding. More modern ways is considered to be the use of special chemicals- herbicides whose action is aimed at destroying certain types weeds But not all summer residents are ready to spray their garden with chemicals, and they do not have time for constant weeding. An excellent way out of the situation would be to use special covering materials, for example, black film.
In this article we will look at the pros and cons of such a covering material, evaluate the results of its use and talk in detail about the technology for using black weed control film.
Black weed film
In the past, to protect beds from weeds, summer residents used almost any materials that were on the farm. The aisles were covered with boards, roofing felt or other rolled sheets.
Note: Naturally, there was little benefit from such a shelter for the garden, since not only weeds do not grow under such shelters, but also cultivated plants. At the same time, modern film and agrofibre have completely different properties.
Agrofibre (spunbond) appeared on the market relatively recently, but its numerous advantages have made it extremely popular. Firstly, this material is environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment and the soil. Secondly, it stops the growth of weeds without slowing down the development of cultivated plants. In addition, such a fabric is relatively inexpensive, and its strength allows it to be used for several seasons.
What does black film do on the beds? If you cover the beds with it, the soil underneath will warm up faster. Accordingly, seeds planted in the ground will sprout much faster. At the same time, the weeds that have already appeared in the beds will gradually wither, since the canvas practically does not transmit the sun's rays necessary for photosynthesis (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Application of covering material on beds There are several ways to lay out the film. In early spring, when the seeds have just been planted in the ground, the material can be spread over all the beds. This will stop the growth of weeds, but at the same time speed up the germination of cultivated plants. When their sprouts are normally developed, the shelter can be removed. In the future, film or agrofibre can be spread between rows to prevent the growth of weeds. However, in in this case it is necessary to take into account that the soil under such a shelter will become very hot, and if you live in southern regions, on top it will additionally need to be sprinkled with a layer of light mulch (straw or sawdust).
How to lay black film
On modern market There is a wide range of canvases for covering beds. As a rule, black film or agrofibre is used for this purpose, but in Lately Two-color non-woven material has begun to become popular, which simultaneously prevents weeds from growing and prevents the soil from overheating.
Using black film or agrofibre to cover beds is very simple:
- Level the surface of the area so that there are no large lumps on it. At the same time, try not to loosen the soil too deeply, so as not to accidentally damage the seeds or young shoots of cultivated plants.
- Agrofibre needs to be spread out and using a template to make it round holes, the distance between which corresponds to the spaces between plants. The cuts can be not only round, but also cross-shaped. This method of laying out is suitable if you have already planted crops and the first shoots have appeared on the beds.
- If you are just planning to sow seeds or plant seedlings, covering the beds can be done the other way around: first spread the material on the site, then make holes and only then place seedlings or seeds in them.
Figure 2. Technology of covering beds with film On average, the distance between individual plants should be about 40-50 cm. It makes no sense to sow seeds too thickly, since under such cover planting material will be poorly ventilated and its germination rate will decrease (Figure 2).
To prevent the agrofibre from being blown away by the wind, it must be pressed down at the edges with bricks, stones, boards or any other heavy material.
Note: It is not recommended to walk too often on beds covered with such material, as this can cause displacement and weeds will grow in the resulting cracks.
Many people are interested in caring for beds covered with film. Some gardeners consider it too complicated, although in fact it is not. Water and fertilize plants liquid fertilizers It’s simple: just pour the mixture into the hole. If you have completely covered the entire bed, you can water it with a hose directly on top of the agrofibre, since it allows moisture to pass through well.
Forming paths
Black film has proven itself not only in the garden, but also in the garden. Its ability to eliminate weeds is actively used in the formation of paths. The fact is that such a canvas allows air and water to pass through well, but does not allow sunlight to pass through, so the finished paths will not only be free of weeds, but also of puddles (Figure 3).
To make a garden path using black covering material, follow these instructions:
- Take it off the tracks upper layer soil so that the surface is perfectly flat and horizontal. As a result, you will get a small depression in the shape of the future path.
- Next, the soil on the future path must be thoroughly compacted. In the process, you can also remove excess layers of soil to ensure a smooth and dense surface.
- After this, you need to lay the film on the track. It should completely cover the ground, so if you are using separate pieces of material, they should be placed overlapping. This will prevent weed seeds from getting into the soil. In addition, it is advisable to leave a small allowance on the sides, since in the future the path will be covered with crushed stone and it is undesirable for it to mix with the ground.
At the final stage of arrangement garden path the film is evenly covered with the selected mulching material. It can be crushed stone or expanded clay. Its layer should be such that the coating is flush with the ground. In addition, it is important to ensure that no pieces of the lower layer are visible from under the crushed stone.
Figure 3. Formation of garden paths At this point, the arrangement of the garden path can be considered complete. Despite the fact that this method of landscaping a site is considered simple and inexpensive, the finished paths look very impressive, weeds do not grow through them, and even heavy rain Water does not accumulate on the surface and puddles do not form. In addition, such paths last quite a long time, and if the crushed stone top covering no longer meets your aesthetic tastes, you can always replace it.
Advantages of black film
Despite the fact that black covering material (film and agrofibre) appeared on the market relatively recently, they are already very popular among summer residents. This is due to the numerous advantages of this material (Figure 4).
Among the main advantages of black film it is worth highlighting:
- High strength: the material is practically unyielding mechanical damage, so you can use it annually for several years.
- Affordable price: comparing covering material as a method of weed control with by chemical means eliminating weeds using herbicides, it becomes obvious that buying agrofibre to cover the entire garden will cost less than repeatedly spraying the beds with special chemicals.
- Quick weed removal: dark color covering material leads to the death of weeds growing underneath it. This is due to the fact that such a shelter does not allow sunlight to pass through, which is necessary for photosynthesis processes. At the same time, the material perfectly allows air, heat and moisture to pass through, so the seeds of cultivated plants germinate under it much faster. After the shoots have formed, the shelter can be removed or simply cuts can be made in the locations where the crop seedlings are located.
- Convenient care of beds: It is much easier to water and fertilize plants cultivated under the material than in conventional beds. To do this, crops can be watered directly on top of the canvas. However, if you are growing individual plants in round or cross-shaped holes, you can apply the liquid directly into them.
- No rot or mold: The most modern technologies are used for the production of agrofibre, thanks to which the material successfully passes moisture, but rot and mold do not form underneath it.
This advantage sets modern covering materials apart from those used in the past.
Black weed film: how to use
Dark cloth is often used for growing strawberries and other berry crops. In this case, in addition to the advantages given above, one more important advantage of the material can be highlighted. Strawberry bushes grown in holes receive ample heat, moisture, sunlight and nutrients from the soil. In this case, the ripening berries are not on the surface of the soil, but directly on the film, so they are practically not contaminated with soil and sand. This advantage of black material is actively used by farmers who grow strawberries for sale. With this method, the berries are not contaminated and retain excellent presentation.
Figure 4. Options for using black film Black covering material has another important advantage, which concerns environment and soil conditions. By covering the beds with such a cloth, you prevent the soil from weathering. In addition, despite the increase in soil temperature under the material, moisture evaporates from the soil much more slowly. This condition is especially important for dry areas with little rainfall. However, when using black film in the southern regions, it should be taken into account that in hot weather the soil underneath can become very hot and young crop shoots can simply burn out. To prevent such Negative consequences, black film or agrofibre must be additionally covered with a layer of light mulching material (for example, straw or sawdust).
Any modern covering material, be it film or agrofibre, is absolutely safe for the environment, as it is made from environmentally friendly materials. pure materials. This condition is especially important for summer residents who try to use chemicals to a minimum for growing vegetables, berries and herbs, and prefer not to fight weeds with herbicides.
In addition to black agrofibre and film, covering materials of other shades are available on the market, which are also actively used in growing garden crops. For example, white material transmits sunlight much better and protects the soil from overheating, so it is often used in regions with warm climates. At the same time, weeds may still appear under such a canvas, but their number will be small and you can easily remove the plants manually.
The transparent film promotes rapid heating of the soil. This property of the material will be extremely useful in early spring when you need to quickly warm up the soil to implement planting work. In addition, brown, green and silver films for covering beds are available on the market. The latter has all the advantages of black and white film, but additionally perfectly protects plants from aphids. Brown material allows you to maintain optimal temperature regardless of the time of day, and green prevents overheating and burning of young seedlings.
Using black film to cover beds is quite simple. You can verify this by watching a video that shows in detail the process of using this material.
Detect weeds in wildlife- forest, meadows, steppe - very difficult. Nature abhors a vacuum, and this rule applies to soil - it is almost impossible to find even small area bare ground where weeds can grow. In a garden, everything is different - by uprooting useful and weedy herbs, we create all the conditions for it to dry out and weather, which is ideal for the rapid growth of weeds. Particularly hardworking gardeners diligently mulch the soil, covering it with wane. And for those who do not have free time, weed film has been invented.
What is covering film
Black weed film is a mulching agrofibre, which belongs to the category of non-woven materials made from polypropylene. It is absolutely safe for cultivated plants, animals and even children, while for weeds it is an insurmountable obstacle to growth. The weed simply cannot break through the dense layer of black polyethylene, as a result of which it dies without sun and moisture. Average density agrofibre is 60 g/sq.m., which is enough to combat all known species weeds.
Most often, such covering material is used to protect strawberries from weeds; for this purpose, small circles are cut out and bushes are planted in it individually. In such conditions, strawberries grow for 3-4 years without the need for regular processing and weeding.
Considering that the sun does not penetrate under the agrofibre, the soil has time to rot in one season, after which it becomes ideal for subsequent growth and fruiting. Most gardeners note that in the second year the berries become noticeably larger and more numerous.
What material should you choose?
Covering material for beds and greenhouses is sold in any specialized store and costs from 10 rubles. behind linear meter. But we’ll figure out which one to buy - woven or non-woven, thick or thin, black or white.
The best mulching material for strawberries is black polyethylene. It lasts much longer and does not allow a single weed to pass through, except those that germinate directly in the open hole. But for the winter, even in such holes, they mulch the strawberries with mowed grass. This will protect the bush from the cold.
You can choose the thinnest one from the presented range, since in any case it will not allow water and sunlight to pass through, which is what is needed to destroy weeds.
Very popular among gardeners is two-color polyethylene film, which prevents the soil from heating up and does not kill earthworms, which continue to work hard even under it.
In fact, this is a controversial question that no gardener can answer thoroughly. The price of a colored canvas is 2-3 times more expensive, but the effect is similar. Whether it is worth overpaying is up to each of you to decide.
In general, black weed film, compared to its absence, has a number of significant advantages:
- the lack of contact of the berries with the ground makes them cleaner, which allows them to be consumed directly from the garden;
- no weeding is required, in extreme cases, we are talking about one or two blades of grass growing in the hole itself;
- there is no need for abundant watering - it is enough to accurately pour a liter of water into each hole;
- the bushes bear fruit more and faster, since favorable microflora is created under the film.
Woven agrofibre is more preferable because it allows water to pass through and provides access to air and light to the roots. It's really useful, but weeds grow through it, resulting in the essence being lost.
How to properly use canvas in the garden bed
- If your site is empty (weeds are not taken into account), you can use whole pieces of fabric, which are laid out overlapping and secured with stones, gravel, mulch and other heavier materials so that the fabric or polyethylene does not fly away.
You should not lay woven or non-woven agrofibre over weeds. Firstly, it will appear in lumps, and secondly, it will take at least a year for them to disappear. Treat the grass special compounds, for example, “Buran”, then wait 2-2.5 weeks and close. There is no need to dig up burnt grass.
- If there are already certain crops on the site, you can cut the fabric into separate fragments and lay it out like a mosaic.
Always overlap the material, leaving a margin of 10-15 cm, and secure it with stones.
How to kill weeds between beds in a greenhouse
This method is equally good for greenhouses and for organizing paths in the garden.
- Buy any black covering material, even the most inexpensive thin polyethylene will do.
- Remove a few centimeters of soil to achieve a flat surface, compact it with your feet or a special rule.
- Lay the mulching material overlapping to prevent seeds from getting into the crevices, and leave a 10-15 cm margin on the sides.
- You fill it with crushed stone, gravel, pebbles, you can lay out boards, install gratings, in a word, you design the path in a way that matches the architecture or landscape design.
- Cut off the remaining film. You can place low curbs along the edges of the path to prevent stones from falling off.
Interestingly, there are a number of myths and misconceptions regarding mulching material. This video will help you figure out what is true and what is fiction.
It is not always rational to cover the mulching material with stones or gravel. Only if the site is decorated with flower beds or separate “islands” of planting. For strawberries, greens and other small crops, crushed stone is not needed, but then the film may blow off. How to deal with this? Very simple.
Take a thick wire and cut it into pieces of 15-20 cm, bend it with pliers or manually into a staple shape and fix the film in this way. On the one hand, this is completely invisible, on the other hand, it allows you to fix polyethylene or spunbond over the entire area without the use of large and small stones. At the end of the season, dismantling the film is even easier - just take out the pins and put them in a certain place until next year.
To remove or not to remove for the winter
It is better to remove it, since nothing is growing in the garden at this time, and strong winds can tear the film or agrofibre. The main thing in the spring is to prevent weeds from germinating. As soon as the frost subsides and the ground becomes soft, dig it up and cover it with cloth.
Features of the southern regions
IN middle lane In Russia and in the northern regions, film in its “pure” form can be used for more than one season, while in the south it can simply fall apart in just one year. This is due to high solar activity and air temperature, which in summer exceeds 36 0 C. After laying the film, be sure to cover it with mulch, leaves, even a dense layer of small pebbles will do. It is important to prevent direct sun rays on film. Firstly, any crop will burn, especially strawberries. Secondly, over the summer the film will turn into dust and will fall into pieces right on the site. Next season it will not save you from any weeds.
When to cut holes
After that, the canvas is already completely fixed, unless we are talking about fragmentary cutting. An error in the location of the hole will lead to its enlargement and further growth of weeds.
You should not make the hole too large, as the strawberry tendrils will begin to go under the film and take root there.
Strawberry varieties
Planting strawberries under black covering material, in principle, does not require compliance special conditions, but in order to increase productivity, tall bushes should be planted.
Plant no more than 2 bushes in one bed so that it is convenient to care for them and not step on the covering material, risking tearing it.
VIDEO: Planting Victoria on covering material video
Weeding is a time-consuming procedure, and chemicals can accumulate in plant tissues, which makes their fruits hazardous to health. Meanwhile, there is a technique that allows you to reduce labor costs when growing garden crops and at the same time eliminate the possibility negative influence herbicides. Modern enterprises have begun to produce special black weed control film. This material is relatively inexpensive and can save a summer resident a lot of time and effort.
Does black film help with weeds?
Using this material is quite simple. In spring it spreads out on the ground. Next, holes are made in it for planting plants. One of the features of black film is that it does not transmit sunlight at all. As a result, weeds that do not receive ultraviolet light stop developing.
In Europe, film and roofing felt have been used for weed control for a long time. Moreover, this is done not only by private individuals, but also by large farms. In this part of the world, black film is considered to be very effective against weeds. Many domestic gardeners also speak well of this method. But some summer residents are still skeptical about this technique. So, does black film help control weeds? Let's look at this in more detail.
What processes occur under the film?
Weed control with black film can actually be quite successful. The edges of this material lying on the ground are usually covered with soil. As a result, a special microclimate is created in a garden bed mulched in this way. The soil under the film warms up very quickly. Therefore, weeds accelerate their development at the first stage. However, when germinating, the grass rests against a film heated by the sun. The result is the death of the surface part of the plant. After some time, the roots of the weed also rot.
Where can I use it?
The use of black weed film (photos of such beds are presented on the page) is allowed as per open ground, and in greenhouses. Very often this material is used for the development of virgin lands. In this case, the film is laid directly on top of the weeds and left there long time(for 1-2 months). As a result, the grass rots along with the root system. The soil under the film becomes loose and easy to work. Subsequently, even in the absence of film, weeds in the area do not grow as actively.
Benefits of use
Thus, weed control with black film can reduce labor costs in the garden, greenhouse or nursery. Compared to in the usual ways, this mulching technique also has the following advantages:
- early warming of the soil in spring;
- better heat retention by soil in winter;
- reduction of irrigation costs;
- no need for loosening;
- acceleration of plant development.
Since the black film is an airtight material, the soil underneath it warms up very quickly. Therefore, plants in the spring with such mulch begin to develop at an accelerated pace. This material also reduces the risk of crop death during recurrent frosts.
The film does not allow moisture to pass through. Therefore, you can water plants in beds covered with this material less often. As moisture evaporates, in this case it condenses on the film and flows down again. This material is more convenient to use than many other types of mulch. All that is needed in this case is to spread the film over the area once.
Also, the advantages of using this material include the fact that, unlike organic matter, mold almost never forms under it. The air entering under the film through the holes made is quite enough for this.
Disadvantages of use
Of course, such material has not only advantages. Most gardeners consider the main disadvantage of using black weed film to be the inability to replenish the soil in the beds. Organic mulch is usually dug up in the fall, which increases the humus content in the soil. The film does not have this advantage.
In addition, spreading it on the ground is quite a troublesome task. In addition, this material is also quite easily damaged. The film on the beds has to be replaced after just a few years. This procedure is also quite labor-intensive. This especially applies to perennial plantings. Indeed, in this case, when disposing of the film, you need to try not to damage the plants.
In virgin lands, this material is also sometimes impractical to use to remove weeds. Usually only fairly soft grass rots under the film. Tough weeds often cannot be eradicated in this way. After all, sometimes for such grass even, for example, asphalt is not an obstacle.
What to look for when purchasing material
Protection against weeds with black film will be effective, of course, only if it is chosen correctly. Many companies produce this covering material today. At the same time, the black mulching film itself may vary in technical characteristics.
When choosing this material, you should pay attention first of all to its thickness. A thin film is only suitable for warming the soil in spring. Actually, for mulching, you should take material that is stronger, more durable and thicker. Perennial crops, for example, strawberries are usually protected from weeds with a 100-micron black film. It is not advisable to use thicker material even in this case. A very thick film is expensive and is mainly suitable only for construction work.
If you plan to mulch annual crops, can be applied and sufficiently thin material. In this case, the 80 micron option is most often used.
How to lay black weed film
Technologically, laying this material is a simple procedure. However, there are some rules to follow when performing this operation. You can lay the film on the ground only after the soil has warmed up well enough in the spring. The area must first be cleared of debris and dirt. Most attention should be paid to sharp objects that can damage the material - dry branches, glass, stones. If there are already weeds on the site, it is advisable to remove them.
The film should be spread in such a way that it fits as tightly as possible to the soil surface. In those places where air “bubbles” remain, weeds may subsequently begin to develop. Of course, they will not grow too actively, and their color will not be green, but white - but still.
After the material is laid out on the ground, its edges should be pressed down with some kind of weight. This could be, for example, stones, bricks, or even just soil. Next, cross-shaped or slot-shaped holes are made in the film for planting plants. Round or square slits should not be made. Experienced summer residents It was noticed that with this method of cutting, plants subsequently develop worse. The distance between the holes is selected depending on the type garden crops. For example, for strawberries this figure will be 30-35 cm.
As soon as shoots appear on the bed covered with film, several semicircular holes should be made in the material on the south side. Without normal air exchange in the soil, plants are known to develop worse. In addition, in this case, acidification of the soil may occur. The holes will provide air access under the film. In addition, if they are present, the soil under such covering material will not overheat too much.
How to water plants under film
Moisture under such covering material, as already mentioned, is retained well. However, it is, of course, necessary to water plants mulched in this way throughout the season. This can be done either by the “root” method or by sprinkling. Water will freely pass through the holes cut in the film under the plants and be distributed throughout the bed.
With the arrival of spring it begins summer season and brings with it problems and worries. And the main concern, which takes a lot of effort and time, is weed control. This problem causes a lot of trouble for many generations of summer residents. But today it has been partially resolved, since a weed film has appeared.
It saves those who like to dig in the ground from hard and tedious work. Covering material is a non-woven fabric that is environmentally friendly, easy to use and gives a noticeable effect. Such materials appeared not so long ago, but are becoming increasingly popular, since with their help you can create comfortable conditions for plants and their successful growth. In addition, it is a wonderful protection of cultural plantings from weeds.
Recently, instead of cellophane and other usual materials for mulching and covering beds, spunbond is increasingly being used. Its second name is agrofibre. Black film provides the earth with protection from the harmful effects of the sun, helps fight weeds, while simultaneously creating comfortable conditions for plants to fully develop.
The beds should be covered until the plant has completely completed the development process. Black mulch will cover the ground until the entire crop is harvested.
Types of film
Those who have never encountered covering films are interested in the question: “What should you choose? What film is better to use? And it’s not surprising, because the material for covering the soil can be different thicknesses, non-woven, film, and different colors.
Two-color
Two-color double-sided film is very popular among summer residents. Its top is usually white, yellow or silver, and its bottom is black.
Very good combination: light colors the top prevents the earth from overheating, and the black film below prevents moisture from evaporating and inhibits the growth of weeds. This means that the most comfortable conditions are created for roots and earthworms.
In addition, the fruits and berries do not lie on the ground, and after watering and rain, the strawberries remain absolutely clean, and the berries ripen much faster.
Therefore, strawberries and wild strawberries are most often encouraged by gardeners to cover the soil with mulch films. After all, this makes growing berries much easier, you don’t have to replant them for a longer time, and there are practically no problems with weeds.
Black
Today gardening stores offer different varieties mulching cloths. But still, black covering material made on the basis of agrofibre is especially popular among things that help fight weeds.
It must be said right away that black film is much more durable, therefore, it is better to use it as a covering material.
How to use
The fabric is easy to use. First, we level the soil in the beds, purchase non-woven material, and stretch it over the surface of the beds. Then, we will use a small round template and cut out circles in the canvas along the circumference of the template or make cuts in the shape of a cross. The distance between the circles should be at least 40-50 cm. This depends on what kind of crop you will grow here.
Important! Don't plant too densely. A dense bed is poorly ventilated.
After marking the material, we lay it out on the beds and press down the edges with something heavy. We plant planting material (for example, strawberries) in the cut holes. Water and feed the plants in the same holes where they grow. The cuts can also be made directly in the garden bed - this is a matter of taste.
If you want to use black mulch, then when organizing the planting beds, do not plant them densely so that air has free access to the plants. Mulched beds must be handled carefully. If you walk on them, the canvas will shift, and open places weeds will grow.
Making a path
Agrofibre will help get rid of weeds not only in the garden bed, but also on the paths of the plot or in the garden. First, let's prepare all the tools necessary for this. Then, you should purchase any of the inexpensive non-woven materials, but preferably it should be black. It allows air and water to pass through well, but does not allow light to pass through, so after finishing work on your paths you will not have to see any weeds or puddles. Now let's start arranging the tracks. To do this, we prepare a substrate that serves as mulch for the paths: crushed stone, expanded clay, gravel, stones.
Now we remove the top layer of soil from the paths. It is necessary to ensure that the surface of the earth is strictly horizontal.
Then, carefully compact the path. If necessary, we remove excess soil, then the path will turn out smooth and neat.
Now we spread the prepared black film along the path. The joints must be overlapped so that seeds cannot penetrate into the cracks. If your greenhouse, where strawberries and other crops grow, has beds instead of boxes, then you need to leave some material for allowances on the edges. This is done so that crushed stone or other mulching substrate does not mix with the ground.
After this, we pour crushed stone or any other substrate that you have prepared for mulching onto the path so that it is level with the ground, or slightly lower. We level the crushed stone and remove excess material sticking out from under the substrate.
That's it, the work is finished, the path will look clean and tidy for a very long time.
Advantages of the canvas
One of the most prominent advantages of black film is its high strength. The black color of the covering material perfectly protects the ground from the hot sun, perfectly allowing heat, air and moisture to pass through it. The covering material covers weeds, preventing it from rising to the sunlight. This contributes to the depletion of the grass and the death of its young growth. In addition, this is a good protection for strawberries from weeds.
Thanks to this, there is no need for weeding and loosening the soil.
Using the film, it is convenient to water covered plants, as well as apply liquid liquids under them. mineral fertilizers, growing under such a canvas. You can water and feed on top of the canvas. These canvases are made according to modern technologies, so there is no rot or mold underneath them. At the same time, comfortable conditions are created to supply the plant nutrients stimulating their normal growth and development.
Use of covering materials different colors creates comfortable conditions for plants to develop, provides them with a sufficient amount of moisture, light, and air. Therefore, if you have such material at your disposal, you will make your work much easier in order to grow a good harvest.
All summer residents are trying to get rid of “uninvited guests” on their property by weeding their beds and flower beds. However, weeds do not give up and appear again and again.It is especially difficult to combat perennial weeds that reproduce by rhizomes, creeping shoots or multi-layered root suckers.
Previously, such an “infection” was removed from the site using black polyethylene film, cardboard sheets, old floor coverings and other materials that do not transmit sunlight.
Now manufacturers of goods intended for gardening work, suggest that summer residents use non-woven weed covering material that is capable of allowing air and water to pass through, but blocking the sun’s rays.
Types of non-woven covering materials Non-woven materials are produced not only to control weeds, but also to protect plants from return frosts and excessively scorching rays of the sun. Therefore, when choosing a material, you must pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Weed covering material is sold on the market under different names, such as-
- "Agril";
- "Spunbond";
- "Lutrasil";
- "Agril";
- "Agrotex";
- "Lumitex";
- "Agrospan" and others.
Regardless of the name, manufacturers divide all non-woven covering materials into four groups:
- easy;
- average;
- white dense;
- black dense.
Each group is endowed with a certain set of properties and characteristics that influence the way this covering fabric is used.
For example, light, low-density canvases are used to cover beds to protect seedlings from frost. Growing seedlings lift weightless material with their tops, while remaining under reliable shelter from unfavorable climate conditions.
Non-woven fabrics from the fourth group, which have the highest density and are black in color, help in the fight against weeds. Thanks to its dark color, the material retains sunlight, while perfectly accumulating heat. The listed properties determine the main purpose of application nonwoven fabric which consists in mulching the beds.
How to use covering material?
Mulching agrofibre refers to non-woven polypropylene materials that do not cause any harm to cultivated plants, animals or people. At the same time, agrofibre does not give any chance to weeds, which die from the lack of light, trying to break through the dense material.
The density of mulching covering materials is 50-60 grams per square meter. Scheme for using non-woven weed covering material. Cultivated plants are planted in holes made with a sharp peg. Weeds die because they don't have access to sunlight.
The method of application is as follows:
black agrofibre is spread on the soil that has dried out after winter and prepared for planting, to prevent weeds from sprouting over the entire area of the bed; seedlings are planted in cross-shaped slits made in the covering fabric with a sharp peg or cutting object.
Black agrofibre or two-tone material?
Amateur gardeners, as well as farmers who grow fruits and vegetables on a large scale, are freed from the need to purchase and use herbicides against weeds. Also, they don’t have to disappear for summer cottages with hoes, spending a lot of physical effort and time on weeding. There are simply no weeds.
Only useful crops grow in even rows. In addition, the fruits remain clean after rains, since they do not come into contact with the ground. Strawberries grown on beds covered with agrofibre can be harvested immediately after rain. The berries lie on a dry cloth and have an excellent presentation. They can be served on the table, lightly rinsed from dust, or taken to the market for sale.
Using black mulching agrofibre, you can achieve earlier ripening of the crop. It is possible to reduce the growing time of crops to two weeks by early warming up the soil under cover. The use of mulching agrofibre eliminates a large amount of work on caring for plantings in the garden, since there is no need to weed the beds
An interesting new product has appeared in the range of covering materials -
two-color mulching agrofibre,
superior in functionality to conventional black canvases. The manufacturer has improved the product by combining two thin layers of white and black.
As a result, the covering material is black on one side and white on the other. The dark side of the canvas is laid on the ground, and the light surface is on top and reflects sunlight that falls on plants and fruits from below, accelerating their growth and ripening.
Important! The white surface of the mulching two-color agrofibre prevents the root system from overheating, which affects the growth rate of crops grown on the site and the uniformity of fruit ripening.
Agrofibre or film: which is more profitable?
Most farmers and amateur gardeners continue to use black plastic film to control weeds the old fashioned way.
However, it is more profitable to use mulching agrofibre, since this material:
- perfectly passes water, so watering can be organized by overhead irrigation;
- allows you to easily apply water-soluble fertilizers, which, passing through the canvas, are completely absorbed by plants;
- under the agrofibre, which allows air to pass through, mold and rottenness do not form, which cannot be said about plastic film;
- does not create favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microbes that inhibit root system plants;
- protects the soil from drying out, due to which the top layer of soil is not compacted and, therefore, does not need to be loosened;
- prevents the growth of weeds between rows, reducing labor costs.
Most modern mulching materials are designed to last from one to three years or more. When growing strawberries or wild strawberries, this is beneficial, since after a certain period of time the plantings need to be updated.
At this moment, the covering material also changes, because the resource of the old canvas is completely exhausted. The service life of the covering fabric depends on the presence of a UV stabilizer in its composition, which protects the non-woven material from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Mulching the soil with black non-woven materials allows you to grow tomatoes on garden plot without much hassle or physical effort
The use of non-woven material when constructing paths
To ensure that paths laid throughout the garden always have a neat appearance, it is necessary to use mulching covering material.
This fabric will prevent weeds from growing between separate elements paths. Since non-woven fabric is capable of transmitting water, you will not find puddles on the path after rain. All moisture will be absorbed into the soil, passing through the mulching material. After excavating the soil, the bottom of the trench is leveled and compacted. Then they spread spunbond, agrospan or other inexpensive type of covering material, covering it with crushed stone, bark, expanded clay, decorative stone or simple gravel. The trunk circles of fruit trees are decorated in a similar way.
Correct design of the tree trunk circle fruit tree. To prevent grass from breaking through from under the layer of crushed stone, you must use mulching non-woven material
Wherever there is a possibility of unwanted grass sprouting, it is necessary to lay a black non-woven covering material. This will solve the problem of weeds once and for all. Proper use of non-woven covering fabrics increases the attractiveness of the site.(With)
