What vegetables can be mulched with freshly cut grass. Technology for growing cucumbers in mulch. Types of mulch that should only be applied in the fall

There is no emptiness in nature, there is no soil surface without a fallen leaf, petal, twig, pieces of bark and without a growing plant. Uncovered soil becomes vulnerable and defenseless; in the summer it overheats, and in the fall and winter it freezes and erodes. A layer of grass clippings, straw, sawdust, compost, pine needles, stones or specially created films is called mulch. And the process of covering the ground with these materials, which is a very effective agricultural technique, is called “soil mulching.” In our article we will talk about mulching the soil with mowed grass.

What is mulching

Mulching means covering the soil with one material or another in order to protect it from excessive moisture loss and drying out, prevent weeds from developing and create an excellent microclimate in the soil that will attract earthworms - natural cultivators and soil enrichers. That is, mulching the soil allows the owner of the site to practically not think about his plantings - only water occasionally, pull out especially arrogant and large weeds and perform some other routine tasks.

The only drawback of mulching is that the beds do not look the most presentable, but they are not laid out for beauty, so the aesthetic component can be slightly neglected. In addition, mulching certainly has much more advantages. And for aesthetic pleasure, it is better to plant flower beds and mow the lawn.

The benefits of mulching the soil on the site

Let's consider the advantages of mulch when used on the site:

• Enrichment of poor and depleted soils with humus. Soil enrichment occurs when the lower part of the mulch decomposes in the soil, producing the formation of a humus layer. The top layer of mulch, under the influence of beneficial microorganisms, is mostly mineralized, so the earth is enriched with minerals.
• Prevents the growth and development of weeds. For example, inorganic mulch (agrofibre, agrofabric, film) shades areas, which prevents the development of weeds. Therefore, the soil should be mulched with inorganic material after the emergence of seedlings in the garden bed.
• Mulch prevents excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil cover. In the soil under mulch, moisture is always retained much longer, so the plant requires watering much less often.
• Mulch protects the soil layer from overheating and hypothermia. The mulch layer serves as a reliable cover for the soil. During the day and night, the temperature in the soil equalizes, which improves the conditions for plant development and promotes the formation of condensation, which nourishes the plants with moisture.
• Mulch protects the soil from low temperatures. In winter, the soil under the mulch does not freeze. In spring it thaws quickly, which contributes to the active and intensive development of plants. Intensive plant growth allows gardeners and gardeners to get an early and rich harvest.
• Mulch protects the soil well from leaching; surface water runoff is reduced by more than half, since water, thanks to mulch, becomes intrasoil.
• Mulch prevents the formation of soil crust; the soil always remains loose even after rains and watering.
• Mulching provides nutrition for beneficial microorganisms, which during their life processes produce carbon dioxide, necessary for the carbon nutrition of any plants.

What crops can be mulched with grass?

It is convenient to mulch the tree trunks of trees and berry bushes with freshly cut grass. You just need to remember that in late autumn the remnants of this mulch must be removed, since insect pests can spend the winter in it. Ideally, the grass that lay under the bushes in the summer is burned or composted, and new grass is laid in its place.

Autumn mulching with grass well protects the roots of perennial plants from early frosts, when the snow has not yet fallen and the soil can freeze to a great depth. Unlike plastic films, roofing felt and other similar materials often used by gardeners for these purposes, grass does not create an overly dense and airtight layer, which can cause damping off during winter thaws.

The grass is also suitable for beds with carrots, especially when the root crops are already beginning to form. The rule here is simple: the younger the seedlings, the finer the mulching material should be cut. The grass layer can lie on carrot beds until the first frost, especially if late harvesting of root crops is planned.

Cucumbers, melons, as well as tomatoes, peppers and cabbage should not be mulched with cut grass - they are too easily infected with various rots.

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What tools are needed to mulch with grass?

You will need:

• Lawn mower, rake;
• Compost material;
• Limestone, bone meal.

Mulching the soil with grass

When mulching the soil with grass, the following rules must be observed:

1. Freshly cut grass must be slightly dried before using it for mulching. Fresh grass is not suitable for mulch because it lies in a very dense layer that does not allow air to pass through well and rots easily.
2. It is necessary to lay mulch on previously weeded and watered beds, leaving the root zone and stems of plants free to protect them from rotting.
3. The best time for mulching with grass is spring, because it is during this period that plants need nitrogen, which is contained in large quantities in grass. It is necessary to lay mulch only on well-warmed soil, otherwise it can slow down plant growth. Summer crops can also be mulched with grass in June. The timing of mulching the soil with mowed grass depends on the region: in the northern regions it is carried out after the plants have sprouted and become stronger, and in the southern regions - before planting.
4. Grass mulch should be laid in a layer of 5-7 cm. With a smaller layer thickness, the grass and the soil underneath will dry out quickly, and the main task of mulching with grass is to keep the ground constantly moist.
5. Over time, under the influence of microorganisms and earthworms, the layer of grass mulch will become smaller. Therefore, it needs to be renewed periodically by placing fresh grass on top of the old one.
6. Mulching tomatoes with grass should be done immediately after planting the seedlings in open ground, leaving the stems exposed and replenishing the mulch layer as necessary.

Mulching the soil with tree bark

Bark mulch is ideal for the garden. It will not only have a beneficial effect on the soil and plants, but will also give any area originality and greater decorativeness. You should know about the benefits bark mulch can bring to plants (and not only):

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1. Changes the acidity level of the soil. If you grow berries on the plot, such as cranberries, blueberries, blueberries, or heather, conifers or rhododendron plants, it is the bark that will help achieve the desired level of acidity: it will make the soil slightly acidic.
2. It prevents hardening of the soil, so the area will not need frequent weeding. This is very important for plants with a shallow root system.
3. The bark contains various phytoncides that prevent the development of fungal diseases and rotting of the root system of plants.
4. Will help protect the soil from insect pests.
5. This is an excellent natural filter, which, when moisture gets into the soil, cleans it of harmful components.

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

The dream of every gardener and gardener is to get a rich harvest with as little effort as possible. One of the cheapest, but at the same time, effective ways to increase soil fertility is to mulch it with mowed grass. Very often, grass clippings are thrown away or burned, but they can be used as mulch. Is it possible to mulch with freshly cut grass, how to carry out mulching correctly and what is needed for this - we will figure it out together in our article.

What is mulching?

Mulching is nothing more than covering the soil with various kinds of materials that help protect it from drying out, prevent weeds from growing and create favorable conditions for earthworms. As a result of this simple technique, the only thing left to the gardener is to worry about harvesting. All other garden work is no longer necessary: ​​under a layer of mulch, moisture is retained longer, which significantly reduces the need for watering the beds, weeds grow much worse, and earthworms, which actively breed in the favorable conditions created for them, loosen the soil. Of course, beds covered with a layer of mulch do not look as neat as without it. But this minus compared to the other advantages of mulching is so insignificant that it can be completely neglected.

Not everyone has thought about why some plants easily survive in wild conditions in arid forests, but generally cannot survive in garden beds without human intervention. In fact, the clue lies in one simple word, “mulch.” Mulching should not be underestimated, which occurs naturally in wild conditions for the favorable development of plants.

Fallen leaves, or in the case of a coniferous forest, fallen needles, can create a protective layer that is necessary for the normal existence of plants. When growing certain crops, such as cabbage, care must be taken to create mulch to prevent erosion and drying out.

Features of the process and advantages of mulching cabbage

It is worth saying that mulching helps retain moisture, which in turn prevents the soil from hardening.

In addition, mulch eliminates the need to constantly weed the bed.

In fact, by applying mulch, you can see a dramatic reduction in the number of weeds.

All this is thanks to the improved metabolism that mulch promotes.

Important! All microorganisms that are in the ground will feed on the mulch and affect the quality of the soil, and this will benefit the crop being grown.

Main characteristics of cabbage mulching technology

This process necessary for cabbage can be carried out using organic residues or using film or other similar materials. In the latter case, you can expect a significant increase in yields, in some, yields will increase by as much as thirty percent. But, preliminary fertilization is required. The first method is more useful, which is why many people choose it.

Use of plant residues

To use this method, many turn to the use of crop residues. A mantle made of such material will help the cabbage develop at a normal pace. If you use tomato leaves or stems, you can forget about cabbage whites for a long time, which is the worst enemy of this crop. This mulch is good even at the stage of growing seedlings; this has already been proven by time and the practice of many gardeners.

Application of green manure or grass clippings

After treating the lawn or mowing the grass, you can use this material for mulch. Many will agree that it is irrational to dispose of leftover grass. But mulching with grass must be treated with caution.

Often such mulch causes problems for cabbage, in the form of rot or fungus. To prevent insects from appearing that can damage the crop, it is worth abandoning late mulching. For these reasons, grass is most often used for compost. This is the main answer to the question of whether it is possible to mulch cabbage with cut grass. Having assessed this information, we can conclude that mulching cabbage with mown grass is possible, but risks cannot be excluded.

Green manure can be used, but it is advisable to do this in the spring after cultivating the land.

Important! This mulch is more suitable for pumpkins, zucchini or cucumbers than for cabbage.

Mulching with natural materials

When wondering how to mulch cabbage in open ground, you need to consider natural materials, which include:

• hay;
• sawdust;
• manure;
• straw.

This mulch helps prevent the appearance of weeds, improves soil fertility, and reduces the watering schedule. In general, the process of caring for cabbage becomes simple. Many people prefer mulching cabbage with hay; it is an economical and affordable option. Mulch for cabbage in this case is suitable for covering the crop before frost. Only well-dried hay can save cabbage.

Using peat and compost

Having received the answer to the question whether cabbage can be mulched with hay, you need to move on to considering peat and compost.

Can I use them? Definitely yes. The main thing is that this material has time to decompose well. The peat chosen is deliberately slightly acidic. The soil material should be no more than 1 centimeter in thickness. The substrate must be moist. About 15% humidity is ideal for cabbage.

Mulch with compost and peat will affect the moisture of the soil, weeds will not develop under it, and microbiological activity will be increased, which affects the quality of the soil.

Experienced gardeners can also recommend dry peat, but then the degree of decomposition should not exceed 25%. The manufacturer is also asked about the ash content, which should be less than 10%. This quality of the material guarantees a good mulching effect for cabbage.

Methods and methods of inorganic mulching

Inorganic mulching uses plastic or stone. You can also take gravel. This is excellent weed control. In dry and hot conditions, mulch in the form of stones cannot be used so as not to harm the crop. This mulch will absorb heat. Inorganic mulching prevents moisture evaporation.

Methods of using coating material. First of all, it is worth noting that when covering materials are used, procedures such as weeding and loosening cannot be avoided. Enough attention should be paid to maintaining the required level of moisture.

Advice! You can choose transparent polyethylene or agrotextiles. It is not recommended to use dark film for mulching cabbage; the plant flora under it will be depressed, which will affect the development of the crop.

Features of watering

The watering regime is adjusted in accordance with the cabbage variety and its needs. External conditions, soil moisture and time are also taken into account. Ideally, you need to water the crop moderately a couple of times a day. This watering regime is ideal for red and white cabbage. Can also be used for color. When the crop grows leaves, the watering regime is reduced.

Timing and features of material selection

The timing may depend on weather conditions in a particular region. In general, the ideal period for the mulching procedure is the end of the spring season. But by this time the earth should warm up thoroughly. Mulching before the summer season will save cabbage from loss of moisture and create better conditions of humidity and optimal temperature.

Why do you need to mulch a greenhouse?

Mulching can enrich the soil with moisture and improve its quality due to the activity of microorganisms. You can forget about weed control for a long time; in conditions of temperature changes and unstable weather conditions, mulch protects the earth from overheating or hypothermia.

The soil moisture will be uniform, which is extremely important for the normal development of the crop and the absence of problems with yield. Using mulch in a greenhouse, you can forget about frequent watering.

Mulching with a lawn mower

It's easy to mulch using lawn mower models with a mulching function. This procedure, as in other cases, will affect soil moisture, eliminate weeds and potentially improve metabolism in the kidney, which will affect the development of cabbage and its yield. Modern gardening tools have made mulching easier and faster.

Pest Control

Experienced gardeners know that when comparing mulched and non-mulched cabbage, it is noticeable that the former was attacked by pests much less frequently. Thanks to this, we can conclude that using organic natural materials as mulch can repel pests and allow cabbage to develop at its own pace.

Active mulch increases soil fertility and yield. Where does the mulch go? Who recycles it? Mulching the beds all season, including autumn.

Recently, the word “mulching” has become fashionable among gardeners and vegetable gardeners; many, if not all, are trying to cover the soil to prevent weeds from growing. You can put black covering material on the ground and make holes for the plants, or you can use black film or cardboard, and this will also be mulching. But for me, mulching is primarily associated with increasing soil fertility, with the processes occurring in the layer where ORGANIC mulch comes into contact with the soil and decomposes. Decomposition processes are continuous, they occur from early spring to late autumn and stop only in winter.

One day I chose the simplest mulching technique, I’ll call it natural or natural. What happens in nature?
Any plants have their own development cycle. If these plants are perennial, then every autumn their foliage falls off, and it remains under the trees, being “eaten” by soil inhabitants - all kinds of microbes, bacteria, fungi, earthworms, forming food chains and creating soil fertility near the roots. Plants themselves take from the soil what they need for new growth, prosperity, and the birth of fruits. This will continue from year to year until the life of the tree ends, the tree dies, and wood remains on the ground, which will also be “eaten” over time. As much as was crumbled, so much remained, which means that so much was returned to the earth. That is, all the biomass that grows always remains where it grew in the same quantity. The soil fertility in the forest does not fall from year to year, because all processes are balanced by nature.
This cycle of organic matter, from its birth - in today's plant, through "dying" - decay, to rebirth in a new harvest - the fruits of tomorrow's plant, can be called the process of fertility.

Initially, I tried to reproduce natural processes in the garden for the benefit of myself and the plants. But for a significant increase in yield, the processes occurring in nature can be enhanced by providing a lot of organic matter in the summer and creating better conditions for their occurrence. There should be enough grass and it should be supplied on time. It should be crushed and always well moistened.

I noticed that every year the mulch is processed faster and faster, and I no longer have time to add grass, although I have never used EM preparations.

About obtaining an EO preparation of your own production, you can read “Breeding the worm “Staratel” at the dacha to obtain vermicelli.” —

You can analyze for a long time why this happens, you can write a book, and there will be a lot of smart words in it, but there will be no result if you only reason and do not follow one simple law.

Return to the land as much as you took or more, and create conditions for those who help you.

For simplicity, let’s calculate the yield in kilograms and add, let’s say, the approximate weight of the tops, and this applies to any crop.

From a bed of 5 square meters I harvest 100 kg of potatoes, and do not use any fertilizers, including manure. From a 3 sq.m. bed - 90 kg of cabbage
When growing eggplants, you can get up to 15 kg of fruit from one plant. I have never weighed how many tomatoes I get from one plant, but the return is very good.

Where does this yield come from? And it grows year by year.

It's simple - mulching with organic matter!

In 2016, I grew watermelons for the first time using active mulch.
The yield per plant is 63 kg. You can read about this.

The yield from one watermelon root is 63 kg.

In a greenhouse you can grow very sweet melons, weighing from 3 to 4 kg - you can read about this -

If you doubt that using active mulch you can get large yields, then watch the video.

" Usage super active mulch for resuscitation of seedlings after frost":

Mulching beds in the fall.

We harvest at different times, there are early crops, and there are late crops. After harvesting, mulch the beds with a thick layer of freshly cut grass. Every year the grass in my beds “disappears” faster and faster, therefore, the soil fertility increases faster and faster, and the yield grows from year to year.

What to do if it is not possible to mulch the beds with grass? You can sow green manure, because it’s much better than leaving the soil “bare”! Of course, green manure in our climate, if sown at the very end of September, will not be able to grow a large volume of green mass, but something will grow!

Green manure is sown thickly; after dying, the roots of green manure form a network of “capillaries” in the ground, with the help of which the earth breathes (if you don’t dig it up), so it retains moisture better, being fed from below by underground dew. And most importantly, green manure is an excellent organic fertilizer. Having served its life, green manure turns into compost, improving the soil structure.

It is also good to use fallen leaves in late autumn, for example, Garlic will easily break through even a thick layer of foliage in the spring.

When frosts begin, fallen leaves can be sprinkled on top of green manure, taking into account what you want to plant in the garden in the spring. After all, in the Moscow region, early potatoes can be planted at the end of April, or at the beginning of June. Having a plan for planting next season, you can always find a way out.

Video. "Mulching beds in autumn"

Where does the mulch go, or who recycles it?

In and under the mulch, without a microscope, you can see two representatives that actively recycle mulch. These are earthworms and larvae of the bronze beetle.

How to distinguish Bronze larva from a cockchafer larva? — . Bronze larvae feeding only dead organic matter.

“Quick preparation of compost. Compost is made by larvae in one season.” . —

Video “Worms and larvae of the bronze beetle living under mulch.”

And of course, all kinds of bacteria and fungi live there, which are invisible to the naked eye.

The question arises, where to get so much grass? A lawn mower replaces my hoe, shovel, flat cutter and even partially a watering can, because we don’t dig, loosen or weed, we water once a week, which frees up our time. I don’t have enough grass on my plot, even though our plot is 20 acres, and half of the plot is occupied by lawns, but there is a 150-meter extension, empty plots, and, finally, roadsides. There are neighbors who come to the dacha to relax and have a barbecue, they mow the lawns, I pick up the grass.

Every autumn people rake up fallen leaves, I ask you to bring them to me.

You can also mulch with leaves, I mulch garden strawberries in the spring, and after harvesting I mulch with grass.

Thus, using an intensive form of natural farming, improving the soil fertility on my plot year after year, I began to receive maximum yields.

Having tried this mulching, you will immediately see the result in the form of an increase in yield, which will grow year after year. Strong and healthy plants will delight you with a wonderful harvest, and the area of ​​​​the garden can be reduced.

Video. “Active mulch. Practice"

Moscow.

©Natalia Smorchkova. (2016) —

I will answer your questions in the comments.

For a long time, the issue of protecting cucumbers from harmful factors has remained relevant. One of the most effective ways to increase the yield of cucumbers cultivated in open ground is mulching.

Mulching is called topsoil covering materials of natural and artificial origin in order to protect and improve its fertile properties.

The word “mulching” is derived from the English word mulch, translated into Russian meaning “to cover, cover.”

The process allows:

1. Maintain natural soil moisture;
2. Reduce the amount of weeds;
3. Prevent overheating of the soil surface in summer and freezing during frosts;
4. Distribute water evenly over the soil surface during precipitation and watering;
5. Prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria and fungal diseases from soil to plants;
6. Improve the structure of the soil and ensure its looseness, porosity, and moisture permeability;
7. Prevent the process of erosion(destruction) of the soil;
8. Prevent the formation of crust on the soil to improve the absorption of water during irrigation and liquid fertilizers during root feeding;
9. Create conditions for the reproduction of beneficial microorganisms;
10. Contribute accelerated process of formation and development of the root system.

Features of mulching cucumbers in open ground

Cucumbers grown in open ground are exposed to wind and precipitation, differences in day and night temperatures, early spring and late autumn frosts, and attack by pathogenic bacteria and pests.

In the initial period of development, the root system is subject to the negative influence of harmful factors. Therefore, both in the development stage and in the growth and fruiting phase, open ground cucumbers require the closest attention and care.

Seasonality

The most optimal period to mulch open ground crops is considered early spring.

To use the properties most effectively, it is necessary to annually change the type of mulch used.

In this case, the soil must be sufficiently warmed by sunlight. It is necessary to start mulching after planting seedling bushes. If cucumbers were sown with seeds, then mulch is applied after the third and subsequent leaves appear.

What materials to use to mulch bushes

For mulching open ground cucumbers use organic(natural origin) and inorganic(industrial production) materials.

Among organic materials, the most common are freshly cut grass, leaf litter, various composts and other organic materials.

Grass

Before mulching, the grass clippings should be leave in the sun for several days. This will help get rid of various insects and pests contained in it.

As a herbal mulch for cucumbers, they have the best qualities clover and nettle. These plants have no equal in terms of the content of useful substances.

The mulch is laid out on the surface of pre-treated, loosened and fertilized soil.

Leaves

Leaf litter is used as mulch for cucumbers only in hot sultry weather, when plants require cool and moist soil. When leaves are applied during the rainy season, they rot and develop fungal diseases.

Sawdust

Mulching with sawdust is carried out in the hot season when it is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of soil moisture.

During the rainy season, accelerated rotting of sawdust occurs, which can provoke the appearance of various diseases. To prevent these processes, it is recommended to use wood chips or large shavings.

Compost serves as an excellent breeding ground for beneficial microorganisms, which transform compost into the most valuable and easily absorbed biological fertilizer by plants - vermicompost.

It is recommended to use compost mulch in cold and rainy seasons. High humidity will accelerate the process of decay with the release of thermal energy, which has a beneficial effect on heating the soil and root system in cold conditions.

Covering artificial material

As covering protection, you can use various types of modern rolled synthetic and textile materials (film, agrofibre, geotextiles).

Due to their opacity and tight fit to the surface of the earth, such materials prevent freezing of the soil surface during spring and autumn frosts, prevent the appearance of weeds.

Bulk artificial material

Mulch made from bulk materials (crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay) is widely popular.

When mulching, it is necessary to protect the stems and leaves of cucumbers from contact with the mulch material. This will prevent the possibility of pests moving from the soil to the plants.

Such materials are particularly light, porous, and aesthetically pleasing. They suitable for all types of cucumbers, do not change the properties of the soil and are not carried by the wind.

Advantages and disadvantages

Mulching open ground allows you to do it with minimal effort and money. increase the yield and quality of cucumbers.

However, like any other method of caring for plants, mulching cucumbers cultivated outdoors also requires special attention and a competent attitude. As an alternative to the procedure, you can plant cucumbers in a greenhouse.

Mulch, as a protective mechanism on the one hand, can become a source of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. For example, wood mulching can cause a lack of nitrogen in the soil. Wood chips, wood chips, hay, straw and other flammable materials can pose a high fire hazard.