Mitlider's method in the Russian version: reviews, photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 18:37

A plentiful harvest, rapid growth of plants, lack of weeds - this is a gardener's dream, quite achievable thanks to modern vegetable growing technologies. The Mitlider method has been popular in Russia for over 20 years. What is a Mitlider garden? How to apply the highly efficient methods of growing vegetables according to Mitlider in the conditions of our Russian reality?

Dr. Jacob Mitlider Method

A. D. Jacob R. Mitlider, after studying plant problems and diseases in many countries around the world, based on 55 years of horticultural experience, has developed universal growing methods. This approach allows, with a minimum of effort, to get a bountiful harvest on any type of soil, regardless of climatic conditions, seasonality and many other conditions. How can the Mitlider method be implemented in the Russian version?

• Extremely significant when applying the method is the planning of the future garden: drawing up a plan, a calendar for sowing and care, marking, which only a few Russian gardeners do. Why is it important?Planning allows you to make more efficient use of available space, get strong seedlings and take into account many conditions for plant development. For example, choose an orientation for the beds that provides maximum illumination of the plants in the morning and evening rays.
• The Mitlider system in the Russian version can be implemented through cultivation on narrow soil ridges, in box-ridges and suspended on vertical supports. On narrow beds, plants are planted in one or two rows (opposite or staggered), taking into account the characteristics of crop growth. First, earthen sides are formed along the edges of the beds to retain water. Then seedlings are planted on the inside of the sides. Two-layer soil is created in boxes-ridges: artificial soil mixture is poured onto natural soil and planted in the same way.
• In addition, the doctor considered it very important proper nutrition and plant nutrition with mixtures of simple mineral fertilizers. To prevent plant burns, top dressing is placed 8-10 cm from the stem of the plant. The strength and he alth of plants significantly affect the quality of soils. Strong seedlings actively enrich the soil with root secretions, which make up up to 20% of the plant weight.
• Sprinkler irrigation, which only promotes weed growth, is not used. Irrigate only the ridges. The seedlings are irrigated at soil level, which prevents the development of mold on the leaves and saves water.
• Studying the timing of planting each crop, taking into account regional characteristics and frosts.

Pros and cons

Should I use Mitlider's methods on my site? To answer this question, let's consider all their advantages and disadvantages in the conditions of Russian reality.

Pros of the method

Cons of the method

Allows you to get a good harvest of any plants in a small area, regardless of the climate and the initial state of the soil. Suitable for both outdoor and greenhouse vegetable growing. Plants become he althier and stronger, yields increase several times over. Time, labor for weeding and care become minimal. Significant water savings. Wide aisles between the ridges, always clean and dry, exclude the penetration of slugs and moles into the beds. Moles, like slugs, dislike the hardened soil of walkways.

Not all sites are suitable for this technology, vegetable gardens are excluded on the northern slopes, swampy, in peat bogs, lowlands, where water stagnation is not uncommon. Mitlider in the Russian version requires a decent amount of fertilizer for multiple top dressing, and sometimes the installation of an irrigation system, which not everyone can afford. Good lighting is extremely important, as shading reduces the yield by 3-4 times. Vegetables will become nitrate, will be poorly stored. For self-purification of nitrates through photosynthesis, plants need light and abundant watering.

How to make beds according to the Mitlider?

Narrow soil ridges inIn most cases, they are used on unprotected ground, and ridge boxes are used in greenhouses and greenhouses. According to Mitlider, the classic length of the ridge should be 9 m, width - 45 cm, passages should account for 105 cm, in total - 150 cm. A sanitary zone (1 m wide) is left along the perimeter along the fence. Passing less than 105 cm is not recommended, as the plants will shade each other and the space for their growth will be limited.

But the dimensions are adjusted to take into account the area of the site and other conditions, so the Mitlider method in the Russian version is quite feasible. For example, if the greenhouse is exposed to direct sunlight in the morning, evening and during the day, the size of the passages can be narrowed to 90 cm. If there is not enough space, you can reduce the length of the beds, as well as the width of the passages to 75 - 60 cm. The width depends on the variety. Tall tomatoes can be grown in boxes 30 cm wide in one row. Spreading plants (zucchini, pumpkins, watermelons) will require beds and passages in classic mitlider sizes.

Why is it recommended to leave wide aisles between beds? To make it convenient to water (there is a place for storage tanks, barrels for water), fight pests, weeds, diseases, and harvest in a timely manner. Plants are clearly visible and are not damaged when walking along the aisles. Optimal watering allows leaves and stems to grow well. Wide aisles provide room for plants to spread out and get more light.

How to apply the method of Dr. Mitlider in the Russian versionfor a sloping site? In a garden with a strong slope, it is recommended to make horizontal terraces with box-ridges. To accurately calculate everything, you will need a drawing of a site with future ridges.

For tall plants, vertical trellises can be used, and the beds with them are best placed from west to east to provide access to the sun for each plant in the morning. The doctor also recommended that hotbeds and greenhouses be placed in the direction from west to east. For low-growing plants, the orientation of the ridges is not particularly important, but they should be planted on the south side of the tall ones so that they are not shaded.

Clearing the area for the ridges, marking is carried out in the fall, and soil preparation, loosening, digging - only before planting, which reduces the growth of weeds.

Benefits of narrow beds

Vegetable growing on narrow ridges gives results on any soil, including depleted. The Mitlider method in the Russian version is not so difficult to apply. Making such beds is simple and easy even for beginners, they do not require much preparatory work. Beds using this method are inexpensive. The preparation of soil rows does not require any expenses at all, and the boxes-ridges require a minimum (it is not necessary to use expensive materials, you can use old slate, unframed boards, etc.). To create soil rows, unlike box-beds, no additional materials are needed, so Mitlider is becoming more and more popular in Russia.

On simple soil ridges, it is necessary to periodically apply well-decomposed organic fertilizers to form humus, and in boxesonly mineral supplements will be required during the preparatory period.

Plant Benefits
Dirt rows	Bed-boxes
Earth bumpers (8-10 cm high) along the edges of the ridges contribute to the formation of a favorable microclimate for seedlings. During watering, the sides retain water and fertilizer along with it. Fertilizers do not burn plants, as they accumulate in the middle of the ridge and prevent the growth of weeds. Plants get more light and room to grow. Narrow rows are much easier to work with than wide beds.	Artificial soil created in boxes (20 cm mixture of sawdust, sand, lime and mineral fertilizers) helps to ensure that the ground under it always remains soft and moist, prevents the growth of weeds. Roots quickly pass through the first layer and grow well in natural soil. Artificial topsoil does not need organic fertilizer and is used annually. Due to the action of microorganisms, it gradually turns into compost, improves, enriches with humus. Humus retains nutrients from top dressings, preventing them from being washed away. Protection from adverse weather conditions, strong winds. Boxes will save plants from prolonged downpours and flooding, cool the roots in the heat. Such beds can be temporarily covered with covering material or film. Growing season lengthens asartificial soil warms up faster.

Fertilizer mixes

When growing vegetables according to the Mitlider, it is recommended to use two types of mixtures for fertilizer:

- Mixture 1. Lime fertilizer (boron and calcium) applied before planting. It is consumed per linear meter of the Mitlider beds: 100 g (light soil) or 200 g (heavy soil). Light soils are sandy, heavy - clay and peat.

- Mix 2. Mineral mix for regular top dressing once a week (potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium, molybdenum, boron). Consumed in 60 gr. by 1 m.

Organic fertilizers can be used to nourish and improve soils. At the same time, it is important to remember that the organic matter should warm up well, overturn, turn into compost, then under the influence of heat, the weed seeds will become unviable. In addition to weeds, undecayed fertilizers can cause plant diseases and increase the number of pests. The microflora living in the compost suppresses pathogens of such diseases and improves soil properties.

The Mitlider method in the Russian version is most often the use of manure. Well-rotted compost or manure humus is applied in the spring for digging and in preparation for planting. Fertilizing 0.5-1 bucket per 1 m of ridge can be combined with soil dressing with mixtures 1 and 2. When making more buckets (up to three), it is recommended not to fill the soil with the second mixture.

Russian fertilizers vs. Mitliderschemicals

Many Russian gardeners use the narrow-bed method, but mineral dressings (mixtures 1 and 2) are often abandoned. This is due to the fact that the active use of fertilizers without appropriate knowledge in crop production does not always give the desired result. The method of Dr. Mitlider in the Russian version often involves the use of humus, compost, green herbal infusion, manure solution, ash, etc. What are the advantages of natural dressings, what are the disadvantages associated with the use of Mitlider mixtures?

• The use of mineral fertilizers affects the taste of the fruit, many gardeners do not like this. And by replacing mineral fertilizers with natural organic fertilizers, you can get an environmentally friendly crop.
• It is better to underfertilize plants than to overfeed, as excess nitrates will harm he alth.
• In order for the minerals to dissolve and absorb, abundant watering and sunny weather are required, which is not always compatible in the weather conditions of some regions. In addition, it is important to know that abundant watering on some days is useful, and on others it is harmful to plants, while taking into account the periods of their development. Each crop has its own way of watering: for some - sprinkling, and for others in dry weather - under the root.
• In the presence of manure humus (not fresh manure, but thoroughly rotted manure compost), you can abandon the Mitlider fertilization method.

Meatlider method in Russian. Transformation

Mastering the Mitlider method in the vastness of Russia, our gardeners introducedown adjustments:

1. Many reduce the passages, leaving the width of the beds unchanged. Here everything is determined by the type and variety of the planted crop. Passes of 45-50 cm are suitable for onions, dill, radishes, carrots, beets, etc. For cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini and others (depending on the variety), leave wider passages from 65 to 100 cm.
2. The Mitlider method involves planting plants in one or two rows. For example, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants are planted in one row. Onions, garlic, beets, radishes, carrots, peas - in two.
3. The Mitlider method in the Russian version allows you to completely abandon the annual digging of the entire garden. In the spring, the ridges are simply loosened before sowing or planting seedlings, and in the fall they are decorated with a hoe.
4. To cut weeds in the aisles, they are treated with a hoe or hiller. The remains of plants can be accumulated to form compost, which is laid out in the fall.

How to fill the boxes-beds?

Bed Boxes are bottomless frames that can be made from cement, logs, lumber and other materials. The Russian Mitlider method does not preclude the use of old railway sleepers. They do not harm plants, as the creosote used to treat them many years ago is no longer toxic.

Before planting seedlings, boxes are filled with artificial soil, applied year after year, but by no means natural. The mixture can be prepared with 2-3 materials listed below:

• Small assawdust dust.
• Sand.
• Peat.
• Styrofoam balls.
• Perlite.
• Pumice.
• Sphagnum moss.
• Pine bark.
• Crushed, shredded coconut or walnut shells.
• Styrofoam Granules (Insulating Styrofoam).

Mitlider's method in Russian version. Reviews

Many gardeners confirm the high efficiency of the narrow ridge method in Russian conditions, especially when growing vegetables. They are very convenient to process from weeds, spud. They make it easy to allocate space for certain vegetables, taking into account the yield of the last season. The Mitlider method in the Russian version, reviews of which are mostly positive, has low labor intensity, saves time, effort, and is indispensable for the elderly.

Mitlider gardening allows you to create almost ideal conditions for farming; protect plants from any adverse weather conditions: heavy rains, strong winds and high summer temperatures; get rich harvests on depleted or problematic soil. The method of Dr. Mitlider has been used in Russia for a long time and deservedly won an army of fans.

Conclusion

The Mitlider method has a number of advantages. These are efficiency, versatility, economy and simplicity. Not all gardens are suitable for this technology; areas on the northern slopes, swampy areas, inlowlands. Not all gardeners use mineral fertilizers and top dressings, but the technology described in the article is easy to adapt to many conditions. This proves that the modern garden "Mitlider in the Russian version", the photo of which is presented in the article, is quite feasible.