To increase the yield of tomatoes, experienced gardeners carry out a special procedure - they cover the ground with special materials, that is, they mulch it. What is this procedure, how to carry it out correctly, what substances are used to mulch tomatoes, and also what cannot be used as mulch - further.
What is mulching and what is it used for?
Mulching is the covering of the surface layer of the earth with mulch, which helps to protect the soil from drying out, improve its properties, and also inhibits the growth of weeds. The undoubted advantages of the procedure include:
- Saving time. The soil covered with mulch stays moist longer, which means less watering is required.
- Protection of the root system from adverse weather conditions. The plant is not afraid of wind, overheating and cold.
- Luring earthworms to the site. Mulch is a breeding ground for them.
- Protective function. It acts as a barrier protecting leaves and stems from fungal diseases and rot.
- Regulatory function. Soil acidity is regulated.
Various materials are used for tomatoes. Not all of them have a positive effect on the culture, some of them oppress plants. Therefore, it is important to correctly and deliberately choose the material and carry out the procedure in a timely manner.
Organic materials
Organic mulch is a natural ingredient. Most gardeners make a choice in their favor, since they not only protect plants from weeds, diseases, cold weather, but also enrich the soil with essential minerals, including nitrogen. In fertile soil, mulch decomposes faster than in depleted or depleted soil.
Compost
One of the most effective types of mulch is compost, which is also a nitrogen-containing fertilizer. But with compost, the key is not to overdo it. It is introduced with caution, since there is a high probability of "overfeeding" the tomatoes with nitrogenous compounds, which will not benefit the yield.
For the best effect, use it in a mixture with other components. The best compost compost is sawdust. For the decomposition of the latter, a large amount of nitrogen is required, which they mercilessly extract from the soil. The components neutralize each other, and the plants receive only benefits.
The disadvantage of compost is the rapid disappearance of the mulch layer, since the worms rapidly process it. It becomes necessary to add a new layer throughout the growing season.
Mown grass, weeds
During decomposition, the grass nourishes the soil with microelements and increases its fertility, but there is a possibility of infection of tomatoes by insect pests that often live on weeds.
Therefore, it is pre-dried well in the sun, turning it over several times. Most microorganisms die under ultraviolet radiation. The grass is suitable for one that has not yet had time to set the seeds. Otherwise, when drying, the seed material will ripen and germinate.
The ideal option is to mow the grass during flowering. It was during this period that it accumulates in itself most of the macro- and microelements, which then pass into the ground.
The layer of cut grass on the garden bed should not exceed 3 cm. As soon as the mulch is dry, put a new layer. If you put a higher layer of grass, then when watering, it will begin to cake and make it difficult for oxygen to pass to the root system of plants.
Sawdust, wood chips, bark
Without additional preparation, fresh materials cannot be used for mulching tomatoes, since during decomposition they draw out a large amount of nitrogen from the soil, which negatively affects the growth of seedlings and the amount of future harvest. Before use, the sawdust is soaked in a solution of nitrogen fertilizers, for example, in a 5% urea solution.
The bark and wood chips are left for a year to “age” in the open air. After lying for a year, they will not oxidize the soil and will only benefit the tomatoes.
When purchasing sawdust (bark or chips), ask what tree they are from. Wood waste from conifers greatly increases the acidity of the soil, therefore dolomite flour or slaked lime is added with them.
Straw, hay
One of the best types of mulch is considered to be straw from cereals. It prevents tomato contamination:
- rot;
- leaf spot;
- anthracnose.
In addition, straw is an insulating material that protects the soil from hypothermia. Under it, moisture slowly evaporates, the soil remains moist and loose for a long time.
Rodents are often found under the straw. Therefore, from time to time, it or the hay is turned up and removed so that the population of mice on the site does not grow.
Needles and fallen leaves
It is impossible to immediately lay needles or fallen leaves on the garden bed. First, they are well dried in the sun. Then the collected foliage must be checked for the presence of parasites, which like to settle in it for the winter.
Before use, the needles are mixed with chalk or dolomite flour to avoid soil acidification. Fallen leaves are well crushed. Then the foliage will not cake, and the roots of the plants will receive a sufficient amount of air.
Peat
Peat strongly oxidizes the soil, so it is not used in its pure form. It is mixed with other materials:
- chalk;
- dolomite flour;
- slaked lime;
- compost.
Any substance that can neutralize the acidity of peat is used.
Inorganic mulch
Inorganic mulch is a more durable material compared to natural ingredients. It serves for a single year and performs the following functions:
- protects the root system well from overheating and cooling;
- prevents weeds from germinating;
- the soil retains moisture for a long time and remains loose.
Cardboard, newspapers, paper
Materials from the pulp and paper industry are used in greenhouses and greenhouses. In the open field, they fly apart and spoil the aesthetic appearance of the garden. Thick paper and cardboard for mulch are used in limited quantities, since they are less breathable.
Do not be afraid to cover the surface of the earth with printed products - newspapers. Nowadays there is no lead in ink, so heavy metals will not get into the soil.
Non-woven fabric
Lutrasil is used - a black non-woven material. It is good for air and water, protects tomatoes from pathogenic fungi and pests. This material is available in different thicknesses and will last 3-5 years. The only drawback of lutrasil is its high cost.
Sackcloth
It is a cheaper material, but it also perfectly permeates air and water. The soil dries out quickly under the burlap, so you will have to water more often. Water can be poured directly onto it, which will prevent soil erosion.
Film
The film for mulching is selected in black. A covering material of white and transparent color is not suitable for this purpose, since it transmits sunlight, which promotes the germination of weeds under the film. In addition, moisture is well preserved under the black film, which means that the number of waterings is reduced.
The black film is suitable for mulching in the cold season. When covered, it raises the ground temperature by 1-2 ° C. In the heat, it is removed from the beds, as it can provoke overheating of the root system of plants.
What shouldn't be used as mulch?
Not all materials are suitable for mulching tomatoes. So, for these purposes they do not use:
- Fresh manure. It contains a high concentration of nitrogenous compounds. Excess nitrogen has a negative effect on the growth and development of tomatoes. Plants begin to grow rapidly, stretch out, many stepchildren are formed, abundant flowering is observed, but the fruits are tied and formed poorly, the yield falls.
- Roofing material. As well as other materials that release toxic substances during decomposition. During watering, toxic compounds enter the soil and then are absorbed by the roots of plants.
When and how to mulch tomatoes correctly?
Tomatoes are mulched only after the ground has warmed up, and the time of return frosts has passed. You cannot rush with this procedure. If you cover the cold soil with mulch, then the root system of the seedlings will be supercooled, and the plant will die, since the mulch only retains the temperature, but does not itself heat the surface layer.
In the greenhouse
In a heated greenhouse, tomatoes are mulched at any time of the year, in an unheated greenhouse they are waiting for the soil temperature at a depth of 30 cm to cross the line of + 15 ° C.
Indoor watering depends on the type of mulch. For example, sawdust, before giving moisture to the ground, must themselves absorb a lot of water, so the plants are watered abundantly. The bark of trees and straw practically do not absorb water, and they immediately pass it under themselves, the volume of water for irrigation in this case will be less.
In greenhouses, mulching is carried out after planting seedlings. Often, in order for mulch to protect tomatoes from weeds, retain moisture and saturate the soil with minerals, several different layers are laid at once:
- On a weed-free surface, first place a small layer of hay, grass cuttings or compost, which will nourish the soil during decomposition.
- Then lay straw or hay on top in a layer of about 6 cm. They will prevent weeds from germinating and retain moisture.
The downside of such a "pie" is rapid decomposition, so periodically you will have to add new layers.
Newspapers are laid in 1-2 layers, sprinkled with hay, straw or humus, and weeds are also suitable for this.
In the open field
In open ground, a layer of mulch is laid before planting seedlings, so inorganic materials are often used. In general, the procedure is not much different from mulching in a greenhouse. It is carried out when the soil at a depth of 20-30 cm warms up above + 15 ° C. A layer of mulch is spread on loose soil, from which all weeds have been removed.
Loose material is poured between the bushes, leaving a small space near the stem. The layer of foliage should be at least 3-4 cm, hay - 5 cm, straw - about 6 cm, the layer of needles - no more than 20 cm and at least 5 cm.
It should be remembered that the thicker the layer of mulch, the longer it retains moisture.
First, cover the entire area with a film or non-woven fabric. Then, at the right distance, cuts are made crosswise, where the seedlings are then planted. The film is removed from time to time for airing.
Read more about growing tomatoes in the open field here.
Correctly carried out mulching will help the gardener save time on watering, cleaning weeds and loosening, and will also be an excellent prophylactic against diseases and insect pests. This will not only help maintain the health of tomato bushes, but also increase their yield.