Sawdust for soil mulching: how to prepare your own hands and how to use

Lack of moisture in the soil negatively affects the development of cultivated plants, this is due to the fact that it is more difficult for them to extract nutrients from the soil. However, frequent watering is harmful to plants, as this provokes the development of fungal diseases. To solve the problem, many gardeners mulch the soil using sawdust and other organic material. This helps keep the soil moist longer.

Can sawdust be used for mulching?

Wood waste is suitable for use as mulch, but you need to figure out which tree species are best for this.In addition, it is worth remembering that sawdust is used to cover the soil only in a rotted form. Fresh material cannot be used, this is due to the fact that bacteria that break down cellulose draw nitrogen from the soil and release certain substances, which increase the acidity of the soil.

Wood mulch not only prevents evaporation of moisture from the soil, but also prevents overheating and freezing of the root system of cultivated plants. By laying mulching material around bushes and trees, there is no need for frequent weeding and loosening of beds, as it is difficult for weeds to break through the mulch to the surface. In addition, it protects plants from damage by slugs and other pests.

After the mulching material rots, it mixes with the soil in the garden and increases the fertility of the soil, being also an organic fertilizer. Thanks to sawdust mulch, it is possible to improve the structure of the soil, it becomes looser, passing the water needed by the roots.

Advantages and disadvantages

When planning to use sawdust as a mulching layer, you need to remember that this material has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of wood waste include the following points:

• low cost and availability of organic material;
• protection against a number of fungal diseases and some pests;
• no need for constant weeding;
• increase soil air permeability;
• protection of the root system from extreme cold and overheating;
• possibility to obtain organic fertilizer after decomposition of the material;
• Reducing labor costs for regular watering beds and no need to loosen the hardened crust on the soil surface;
• increasing the amount of humus in the soil, as a result of which the earth becomes more fertile;
• Protection of cultivated plants from dirt during heavy rains;
• creating an attractive look on the site;
• reduce crop loss - berries and vegetables do not rot because they do not come into contact with wet ground.

Among the shortcomings of sawdust, summer residents note the absence of such a necessary element as nitrogen in their composition, on the contrary, they reduce its concentration in the soil, which ultimately leads to soil acidification. In addition, such a mulch layer inhibits the work of not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms.

What plants are used for?

Wood sawdust is used to retain moisture in the beds with different plants. However, strawberries, strawberries, raspberries, garlic, potatoes, bell peppers and eggplants react most positively to such a procedure.Use organic material for garden flowers such as roses.

Which sawdust to use?

You can use the waste of almost all trees for mulch, but the final choice depends on the purpose of the sawdust. For example, to scare away the Colorado potato beetle from planting potatoes, it is better to take pine sawdust, since its smell is unpleasant for pests, and they leave the beds with the crop.

Mulch made from softwood sawdust is used to warm plants for the winter period, but it is not very effective as a fertilizer. Oak sawdust is able to acidify the soil, so they are used for lining paths and paths on the site and in the garden, and only in a rotted form.

Cooking recipe

Fresh sawdust is not laid around plants, as it is not a fertilizer in itself, it is necessary to prepare them first, enriching them with nutrients.

It is recommended to do this according to the following algorithm:

1. Spread a plastic film, and 2-3 buckets of selected sawdust are placed on it with a thin layer. Calcium nitrate is poured on top - you will need 80 grams of fertilizer per bucket of material. Spill water on top and cover with a second layer of film. The material must be left for a week, and then used for its intended purpose.
2. If you need to enrich the sawdust with nitrogen, you need to prepare the material with the addition of urea. 200 grams of top dressing are dissolved in 10 liters of water and sawdust is shed in layers, a film is placed on top, and after 2 weeks the material for mulching is turned over. Mulch is ready to use when sawdust is black.

As a rule, prepare material for mulch in advance, from autumn or early spring, but if there is no time, then use this recipe. 40 grams of ammonium nitrate, 30 grams of superphosphate granules, 120 grams of slaked lime and 10 grams of calcium chloride are added to a bucket of material.The mixture is kept for 14 days and used as directed.

Terms of use and terms of work

The timing of mulching the beds depends on the crop being grown and the goal pursued by the gardener. Annual plants are mulched immediately after planting in the ground. The time for root crops is when the plants have already thinned out.

As for perennial crops, they start working the soil as soon as the earth warms up a little, after removing the old winter layer. If the plants are planted in a greenhouse, the procedure is started during the period of active growth and development of crops.

How much can you keep?

If sawdust is provided with the necessary conditions (no direct sunlight and moisture), then it can be stored for two years.

Recommended