2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16
Most recently, the first recommendations to farmers to increase the yield of many crops were deep digging of the soil and the need to introduce mineral (chemical) fertilizers into it. Now more and more often they talk about loosening the soil with flat cutters, followed by mulching the surface of the earth. Why and how to carry out this agricultural technique, what materials is mulch made of, what will it give the farmer in the end, which is called the harvest?
Life in soil
The biological cycle is constantly going on in the soil-vegetative layer. Soil microflora (bacteria, actinomycetes, soil fungi and algae) processes (feeds) on plant remains: fallen leaves, withered grass. This is the most powerful biological force on Earth, as Academician V. I. Vernadsky. For the existence of some, air is needed in the soil, others manage and feel great without air. Microbes, organics and minerals are essential for the nutrition of earthworms, which are called its main reclamators.
And here comes a man with a bag of mineral(chemical fertilizer) and with a sharp shovel. After carefully digging the soil, adding fertilizer to it, he literally turns the entire soil world upside down. Anaerobic bacteria die from the abundance of air, aerobic ones die when they are deep in the ground. As a result, the worms remain hungry, and the soil is saturated with chemicals that are harmful to them. There are gardeners who do not have a single weed all year round, not only in the beds, but also in the aisles, some do not skimp on herbicides. And what's the use? The soil remains defenseless against drought, dry winds and washing out of nutrients from it by heavy rains.
Mulching soil
For soil fertility, loosening with flat cutters to a depth of 5-7 cm and subsequent mulching is necessary. Mulch - what is it? Clothes for the soil, protection and nutrition for soil microflora and fauna. Under this layer, the biological cycle of substances will take place much more efficiently - the decomposition of organic matter to a state suitable for the growth of the next generations of representatives of the plant world and soil inhabitants.
More in demand is organic mulch. What's this? Chopped and rotted grass (the same weeds, do not remove them from the boundary after weeding or make compost out of them), straw, hay, foliage, husks from seeds, needles are good. Sawdust mulch is suitable, but only from stale or specially prepared ones (poured into plastic bags, spilled with mullein infusion and tied for three weeks). Can be used as mulchpaper, cardboard, pre-cut. Organic mulch gradually decomposes and becomes additional food for the inhabitants of the soil world.
Apply mulching to decorate the landscape. In this case, inorganic mulch is also suitable. What's this? Gravel, sand, expanded clay. Inorganic mulch includes black polyethylene and woven covering material, spreading it under the berries, they prevent soil contamination of the berries. Organic mulch made from pine bark, colored wood chips from different trees looks decorative.
Benefits of mulching
Mulch protects the soil from changes in air temperature, retains moisture and soil structure, dampens the growth of weeds, decorates the landscape. Mulch contributes to the fruitful and tireless work of microflora and fauna. What's this? This is the life and prosperity of the soil, which means the well-being of man.
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