Material for strawberries from weeds: types of covering fabrics, which one is better to choose
Cultivation of strawberries is one of the most popular activities among domestic gardeners, despite the fact that the culture requires increased attention and has many nuances. Getting rid of weeds, serious competitors for light and nutrients, is quite difficult, but new technologies simplify this process. Special material for strawberry weed control, which does not cause harm and inconvenience, is the best alternative to time-consuming weeding.
Types of covering materials
Often used as a covering material:
- organic mulch;
- black mulch cloth;
- dark plastic wrap.
Mulching is the most affordable way. With it, you can stop the growth and development of weeds, improve the mineral and organic composition of the soil, protect the berry crop from fungal diseases.
For these purposes, organic materials such as:
- Crushed bark or wood chips that retain their properties for 5 years and improve the external condition of the beds.
- Sawdust or shavings scattered in a thin layer. Requires renewal at least three times a year.
- Straw of monocots and dicots, laid out in a thick layer of up to 20 cm. It is worth making sure that there are no seeds in the mulch in advance, as they can become an object of attraction for mice and other rodents.
- Holes of garden and garden vegetation without signs of infection with fungal pathogens. Often used to prevent freezing.
- Needles laid in a thick thirty-centimeter layer. Thanks to its bactericidal properties and the ability to control temperature without letting in the cold, it will help strawberries survive severe frosts.
Many experienced gardeners use dark polyethylene to combat excess vegetation. It's inexpensive, easy to use, and does the job well. The material can be purchased in reinforced and conventional form. In the first case, the film has three layers: the first is stabilizing, of a silvery hue, the second is represented by a reinforcing mesh, the lower part is black, designed to prevent the growth of weeds. Thanks to this structure, the material can last more than one year. The non-reinforced film is made of a special high-density polyethylene that blocks ultraviolet radiation and prevents the development of weeds. Its service life is limited to one year.
According to gardeners, the best remedy for weeds is black agrofibre. It consists of special heat-treated polypropylene threads, due to which it does not react with the environment, prevents freezing of the roots and allows air to pass through.
Shelter is environmentally friendly, has a long service life and resistance to various mechanical stress.
Which is better to choose?
Each type of material has its positive and negative qualities, and based on this, you should choose the most suitable one.
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Organic Mulch | Affordable and natural remedy, protects against temperature fluctuations, supplements the composition of the soil, prevents the appearance of pests, pathogens of fungi and bacteria | Weeds may appear, short service life, renewal is needed |
| Plastic film | Guaranteed to protect against weeds, not in contact with a cultivated plant, warm the soil, retain moisture | Possible condensation and mold, the appearance of harmful insects, inhibition of soil microflora, freezing, service life maximum 2 years |
| Agrofiber | Ecological material, protect against weeds, overheating, frostbite, ultraviolet radiation and infection with fungal and bacterial infections, provide butt air supply and quick ripening of fruits, long-term exploitationHigh cost |
How to plant strawberries under black covering material?
Landing is carried out in spring or early autumn, the day should be cloudy, calm. Before planting, place the seedling in a growth stimulator solution and immerse it vertically in the prepared hole. Gently sprinkle with soil and pour so that the liquid does not get under the covering material.
Terms of Use
To cover strawberry beds with organic mulching material, you must first prepare a cultivated plant:
- carefully loosen and weed the soil;
- get rid of dry leaves and tendrils;
- treat with special chemicals to avoid infection;
- feed the plant using complex fertilizers;
- irrigate.
The next step is to evenly distribute the mulch so that it does not adhere to the main stem of the bush. To get enough oxygen for the roots, you need to retreat at least 2 cm.
Systematically loosen the mulch for aeration and renew rotten areas.
When using film or fiber, you must:
- prepare the soil in advance by leveling it with a rake;
- spread the material, firmly attaching it to the soil, while fixing the ends;
- mark the seats of the bushes, making oval cuts at 40 cm intervals;
- plant a berry crop in the holes.
Important! So that in the future the mustache does not penetrate under the shelter, pour earth over the material.
How to water strawberries under a covering material?
Mulch film does not allow water and light to pass through, which is why it is recommended to install a drip irrigation system. Reduce the number of waterings, as the material does not allow moisture to evaporate.
Agrofibre is able to pass water, but immediately after laying, liquid may accumulate on the surface, so for convenience it is worthwhile to carry out drip irrigation.
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