Covering material for beds: top 5 types and what is called, how to choose the right one

In regions with a changeable climate, gardeners cannot do without the use of covering material for beds. However, it performs not only the function of protecting plants from the vagaries of the weather. Plastic film is also used to control weeds, thanks to such a shelter for the whole season, you can forget about constant weeding, which takes time and effort. Before choosing a covering material, you should study the pros and cons of different types.

Why do we need covering material for beds

Modern gardeners do not rely on favorable weather for growing crops, but create favorable conditions for plants on their own.The technology of cultivation of vegetable and berry plants using covering material makes it possible not only to harvest a rich harvest, but also to minimize work on the plot.

This way of growing crops allows you to solve the following problems:

• significantly shorten the ripening time for heat-demanding crops:
• increase the number of harvested fruits;
• always have early vegetables and berries on the table;
• protect plants from sun, frost and weeds;
• minimize the amount of time and effort that the gardener spends on caring for crops in the garden;
• to ensure the full development of plants even during the period of physiological drought, when the temperature is in the range from 0 to 8 degrees Celsius;
• prevent damage to plantings by harmful insects and pathogens.

Some homeowners use a water-permeable film in their gardens to cover the ground under the plants, in this case there is no need to remove the shelter every time to moisten the plantings.

Types of covering material

Manufacturers produce several varieties of covering material that are suitable for use in agriculture. They can be divided into two main groups - non-woven and polyethylene. In addition, they are white and black and have a different density - from light to very dense. Light and dense materials are made only in white, but dense materials come in both colors.

The choice of shelter is made based on the purpose of use, given that each option has both advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic film

The service life of such material varies from 3 to 5 years, after which replacement is required. Despite the emergence of more modern varieties, it has not lost its popularity and is traditionally used by homeowners to grow heat-loving crops. It is stretched on arcs and mini-greenhouses are created for early sowing of seeds for seedlings.

Of the advantages of plastic film, they distinguish:

• good light transmission;
• low temperature resistance and effective heat retention;
• protect soil and plants from excessive moisture during heavy rainfall;
• affordable material cost.

Of the shortcomings noted:

• fragility of the film (it breaks quickly and is not resistant to the slightest mechanical damage);
• air and waterproof - if you do not periodically remove the film for ventilation, condensation accumulates under it, which can cause the development of fungal diseases.

Non-woven covering material

There are many manufacturers of non-woven covering material, their products differ in density, color and other characteristics. This option does not contain toxic components, therefore it does not harm the grown plants. Depending on the density, non-woven material is used on the plot as a heat insulator or agrofibre.

This shelter has a number of advantages:

• with its help it turns out not only to warm the plants in cool weather, but also to protect them from exposure to the scorching rays of the sun (in this case, choose a white material);
• under it creates an optimal microclimate for the development of crops;
• it protects plants from pests and birds;
• non-woven fabric suitable for covering greenhouses, mini greenhouses.

There are practically no shortcomings in the use of the shelter, however, it is necessary to correctly select the density of the fabric corresponding to the purpose of the application.

Spunbond

Spunbond refers to non-woven materials and is often used by homeowners to cover plant beds.

There are several varieties of material for different uses:

• black version - for soil mulching;
• white spunbond - for greenhouses and greenhouses;
• white outdoor material;
• black and white spunbond - to protect beds from weeds;
• red-yellow option - to shelter crops from adverse weather conditions.

The only drawback of spunbond is the need for periodic ventilation of plants so that condensation does not accumulate under the material.

Agrofibre SUF-60

Non-woven material with a density of 60 g/m² is used in home gardens when installing greenhouses. It protects plants from cold weather up to 6 degrees below zero. In addition, beds are covered with them in early spring, used to protect against weeds. Thanks to the use of such agrofibre, the yield increases, and there is no need to use a large amount of herbicides.

One of the main advantages of this material is the absence of condensation under the film, as it allows water vapor to pass through.

Polycarbonate

This polymer plastic, which can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees, is used to build greenhouses.It is much lighter than glass and more durable than plastic film. Both vegetable crops and heat-loving exotic ornamental plants are grown under polycarbonate.

Thin sheets of material transmit sunlight, are resistant to gusts of wind and bend well, so they create greenhouses of any shape and size.

Pros and cons

The advantages of covering materials include the following points:

• moisture is retained in the soil, so the plants will have to be irrigated less often;
• provides protection against overheating and hypothermia;
• fruits that are close to the ground do not get dirty after rains;
• weeds cannot break through the film and die;
• increasing harvest;
• reduces the likelihood of damage to crops by pests and pathogens;
• reduces soil weathering;
• metabolic processes are improving in cultures;
• The yard looks neat and tidy.

Cons should include:

• Short life of some varieties;
• probability of condensation under the film without ventilation;
• high cost of nonwovens.

How to choose

When choosing nonwoven materials, first of all, pay attention to the purpose of use. If you need to purchase an option for one season, then a simple plastic film is quite enough, if the gardener plans to use the shelter all the time, it is better to spend money on more expensive varieties once.

In addition, they pay attention to the color of the coating, dark options are more suitable for covering the soil, and white ones are more suitable for creating greenhouses.

How to lay

Before starting work, all garbage, last year's leaves are removed from the territory and weeds are pulled out. Further, evenly unwinding the roll, cover the entire surface of the soil. In the event that the film is used to create mini-greenhouses, arcs are first installed, and the film is already stretched over them, fixing it tightly on both sides.

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