Anti-weed film appeared relatively recently. It was invented craftsmen, proving that its use is the simplest and at the same time effective method in the fight against pests. Dense and non-transparent material - black or dark weed film - is actually best option, for example, for planting strawberries or other crops. As a result, there is a harvest, but there were no weeds! Convenience also lies in the fact that spreading such an unusual “blanket” for a vegetable garden on your plot will not be difficult.

And even more so, make cuts in it and plant seeds or seedlings in such holes. Believe it or not, this technique completely replaces hours-long and labor-intensive weeding of the garden! The thing is that the non-woven dark and hard material is not only very durable, but also does not allow sunlight to pass through, and weeds simply cannot grow through it. Experts have proven that this technique works and gave the following explanation: water and air are passed through, as are water-soluble fertilizers, but weeds are prevented from growing.

Another plus is that the dark film helps reduce the number of waterings (several times!). Experts also recommend using the film all year round, since in the spring the ground covered with such a non-woven product will warm up faster (about two weeks earlier), and in winter plants do not die as much due to cold weather while under the film. Such material is also usually sprinkled with sawdust, bark or gravel on top.

Film coatings still accelerate the growth of crops and provide an earlier harvest, thereby reducing the use of large amounts of pesticides. Tomatoes, peppers, corn and strawberries are especially starting to grow. But what gardeners love this process most of all: it frees anyone from loosening and weeding. The film protection itself prevents weeds from growing (some, by the way), while retaining moisture perfectly and allowing beneficial bacteria to multiply.

Thanks to protection from strong sunlight, downpours and gusty winds, crops are not only better preserved, but also develop faster under such a protective lampshade. After all, under such captivity it is warm and enough moisture is retained. If you don’t know which color would be best to choose (and it can be different in color and purpose), then we will try to come to your aid.

The most common are black and transparent film, but there are other options - about a dozen more. Each film has its own characteristics and you need to choose a specific color for a specific crop.

• The white film material partially transmits the sun's rays and allows some weeds to germinate, which is why herbicides are used in weed control.
  
• Black film material completely absorbs sunlight and creates the effect of herbicides. However, such protection from the sun can become very hot and thereby harm the plant. But you won’t see mold under the black film.
• Transparent allows the soil to warm up faster, and from mid-April it already keeps the temperature at around plus 10.
• Silver will not allow aphids to appear. It has the advantages of both white and black film.
• The green one will not heat up quickly and will prevent the plants from burning.
  
• Brown film material holds the temperature well both on a cold night and on a hot day.
• The film can be laid manually or by machine.
• The shelf life of such films is about 3 years.
• They are produced in the form of sleeves.
• Standard sizes: width - 750 mm, if in the form of a canvas - then 1000 and 1200 mm, in a roll - from 500 to 2 thousand linear meters.
• You can replace the material with mowed grass, straw or ash.
• Film material is often used not only in garden beds, but also when creating paths on personal plot.

And now about the work: in the spring you must first prepare the soil (dig up the soil, use fertilizers and water the soil). Weeds must be removed.

Next, film protection is laid on even beds. The edges of the film are fixed with bricks on the sides. Then holes for sowing are cut in the film itself (they are usually made cross-shaped). In the fall, the film will need to be removed, and the soil will need to be cultivated and loosened, adding fertilizer to the soil. At the end, you can cover the garden with layers of brushwood or different leaves. Now you know a lot about this issue and... you can get started!

Detect weeds in wildlife- forest, meadows, steppe - very difficult. Nature abhors a vacuum, and this rule applies to the soil - it is almost impossible to find even a small patch of bare soil where weeds can develop. In a garden, everything is different - uprooting useful and weeds, we create all the conditions for its drying and weathering, which is ideal for the rapid growth of weeds. Particularly hardworking gardeners diligently mulch the soil, covering it with wane. And for those who do not have free time, weed film has been invented.

What is covering film

Black weed film is a mulching agrofibre, which belongs to the category of non-woven materials made from polypropylene. It is absolutely safe for cultivated plants, animals and even children, while for weeds it is an insurmountable obstacle to growth. The weed simply cannot break through the dense layer of black polyethylene, as a result of which it dies without sun and moisture. Average density agrofibre is 60 g/sq.m., which is enough to combat all known species weeds.

Most often, such covering material is used to protect strawberries from weeds, for which small circles are cut out and bushes are planted in it individually. In such conditions, strawberries grow for 3-4 years without the need for regular processing and weeding.

Considering that the sun does not penetrate under the agrofibre, the soil has time to rot in one season, after which it becomes ideal for subsequent growth and fruiting. Most gardeners note that in the second year the berries become noticeably larger and more numerous.

What material should you choose?

Covering material for beds and greenhouses is sold in any specialty store and costs from 10 rubles. for linear meter. But we’ll figure out which one to buy - woven or non-woven, thick or thin, black or white.

The best mulching material for strawberries is black polyethylene. It lasts much longer and does not allow a single weed to pass through, except those that germinate directly in the open hole. But for the winter, even in such holes, they mulch the strawberries with mowed grass. This will protect the bush from the cold.

You can choose the thinnest one from the presented range, since in any case it will not allow water and sunlight to pass through, which is what is needed to destroy weeds.

Very popular among gardeners is two-color polyethylene film, which prevents the soil from heating up and does not kill earthworms, which continue to work hard even under it.

In fact, this is a controversial question that no gardener can answer thoroughly. The price of a colored canvas is 2-3 times more expensive, but the effect is similar. Whether it is worth overpaying is up to each of you to decide.

In general, black weed film, compared to its absence, has a number of significant advantages:

• the lack of contact of the berries with the ground makes them cleaner, which allows them to be consumed directly from the garden;
• no weeding is required, in extreme cases, we are talking about one or two blades of grass growing in the hole itself;
• there is no need for abundant watering - it is enough to accurately pour a liter of water into each hole;
• the bushes bear fruit more and faster, since favorable microflora is created under the film.

Woven agrofibre is more preferable because it allows water to pass through and provides access to air and light to the roots. It's really useful, but weeds grow through it, resulting in the essence being lost.

How to properly use canvas in the garden bed

1. If your site is empty (weeds are not taken into account), you can use whole pieces of fabric, which are laid out overlapping and secured with stones, gravel, mulch and other heavier materials so that the fabric or polyethylene does not fly away.

You should not lay woven or non-woven agrofibre over weeds. Firstly, it will appear in lumps, and secondly, it will take at least a year for them to disappear. Treat the grass special compounds, for example, “Buran”, then wait 2-2.5 weeks and close. There is no need to dig up burnt grass.

1. If there are already certain crops on the site, you can cut the fabric into separate fragments and lay it out like a mosaic.

Always overlap the material, leaving a margin of 10-15 cm, and secure it with stones.

How to kill weeds between beds in a greenhouse

This method is equally good for greenhouses and for organizing paths in the garden.

1. Buy any black covering material, even the most inexpensive thin polyethylene will do.
2. Remove a few centimeters of soil to achieve a flat surface, compact it with your feet or a special rule.
3. Lay the mulching material overlapping to prevent seeds from getting into the crevices, and leave a 10-15 cm margin on the sides.
4. You fill it with crushed stone, gravel, pebbles, you can lay out boards, install gratings, in a word, you design the path in a way that matches the architecture or landscape design.
5. Cut off the remaining film. You can place low curbs along the edges of the path to prevent stones from falling off.

Interestingly, there are a number of myths and misconceptions regarding mulching material. This video will help you figure out what is true and what is fiction.

It is not always rational to cover the mulching material with stones or gravel. Only if the site is decorated with flower beds or separate “islands” of planting. For strawberries, greens and other small crops, crushed stone is not needed, but then the film may blow off. How to deal with this? Very simple.

Take a thick wire and cut it into pieces of 15-20 cm, bend it with pliers or manually into a staple shape and fix the film in this way. On the one hand, this is completely invisible, on the other hand, it allows you to fix polyethylene or spunbond over the entire area without the use of large and small stones. At the end of the season, dismantling the film is even easier - just take out the pins and put them in a certain place until next year.

To remove or not to remove for the winter

It is better to remove it, since nothing is growing in the garden at this time, and strong winds can tear the film or agrofibre. The main thing in the spring is to prevent weeds from germinating. As soon as the frost subsides and the ground becomes soft, dig it up and cover it with cloth.

Features of the southern regions

IN middle lane In Russia and in the northern regions, film in its “pure” form can be used for more than one season, while in the south it can simply fall apart in just one year. This is due to high solar activity and air temperature, which in summer exceeds 36 0 C. After laying the film, be sure to cover it with mulch, leaves, even a dense layer of small pebbles will do. It is important to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the film. Firstly, any crop will burn, especially strawberries. Secondly, over the summer the film will turn into dust and will fall into pieces right on the site. Next season it will not save you from any weeds.

When to cut holes

After that, the canvas is already completely fixed, unless we are talking about fragmentary cutting. An error in the location of the hole will lead to its enlargement and further growth of weeds.

You should not make the hole too large, as the strawberry tendrils will begin to go under the film and take root there.

Strawberry varieties

Planting strawberries under black covering material, in principle, does not require special conditions, but in order to increase productivity, tall bushes should be planted.

Plant no more than 2 bushes in one bed so that it is convenient to care for them and not step on the covering material, risking tearing it.

VIDEO: Planting Victoria on covering material video

Weeding is often used to control weeds, although gardeners would not call this activity easy and enjoyable. But the task of caring for beds can be made easier with the help of weed covering material. Today on the market you can find ground covering high quality in different price category. The covering material makes the beds neat and well-groomed, without inhibiting the growth of cultivated plants.

The material covering the beds and flower plantings does not allow sunlight to pass through, which is necessary for weeds to survive. Weeds cannot break through to the light, biochemical reactions in their tissues are disrupted, and the root system dries out. Plants are dying.

To ensure that only the weeds are harmed and the cultivated species remain unharmed, the fabric is carefully placed on the beds, secured, and holes are cut in places corresponding to the location of the cultivated plants.

Modern types of ground covering not only reliably protect against the growth of weeds, but also do not provoke root rotting or the development of fungal diseases. They can not only cover beds and flower beds, but also cover paths in the garden to prevent weeds from getting through between the slabs. More dense material is placed between the beds to maintain a neat condition of the site.

Dense coating allows you to get rid of soil pests. Insects have difficulty orienting themselves in space and are unable to reproduce.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of using covering material is that it makes it easier to care for vegetable, berry, and flower crops. Ground covering is popular because:

• protects the top soil layer from adverse conditions environment, prevents plants from withering from lack of moisture and nutrients, excess sunlight, heavy rainfall;
• creates microclimatic conditions that are ideal for the development of cultivated vegetation, but unfavorable for the proliferation of bacterial infections;
• simplifies the activities for caring for cultivated plants;
• suitable for use on both open area, and in the greenhouse;
• Thanks to its dense structure, it has a long service life (up to 8-12 seasons), and does not lose quality and appearance during operation.

The disadvantages of covering fabric are due to its improper use:

1. If the weed cover is installed or used incorrectly, a greenhouse effect occurs underneath it. A excess humidity, in the absence of air circulation, provokes the development of a fungal infection.
2. The dark-colored canvas gets very hot under the sun, and the UV-stabilizing layer becomes ineffective after 2 months of use. Therefore, in climatic conditions In the southern regions, hay, sawdust, and newsprint are used to protect plantings.

Types of non-woven weed covering materials

Agro-fabric against weeds is sold on the market in a wide range of quality and price categories. You can choose a product according to color, density, structure and other preferences and needs.

The brand became so popular that summer residents began to use this word to call any covering material for their beds. Spunbond is a special fabric production technology. It turns out light and airy, but secure. The material is environmentally friendly and is not affected by temperature fluctuations or mechanical stress.

The color of spunbond is white and black, the density is 20-60 g/m2:

1. White material up to 30 g/m2 is used primarily to protect crops from returning spring colds and abundant sunshine in summer. They cover seedlings, berry fields, decorative types, flower beds. And spunbond protects young seedlings of fruit trees from harmful insects.
2. White cloth 30-50 g/m2, suitable for winter protection of any ornamental and fruit crops. It is also stretched over an arc frame greenhouse or greenhouse.
3. Black spunbond 50-60 g/m2 with a UV-stabilizing layer reliably protects against weeds and helps crop plants receive more heat.

Geofabric, which is based on polyester fibers woven under thermal influence, is characterized by strength and ability to pass air. The popularity of the product is due to:

• long service life;
• versatility of application;
• ease of installation on site;
• low cost.

Agrospan

Actually a type of spunbond produced Russian company"Ayaskom." Same quality, durable, inexpensive. It is used primarily for covering strawberries, strawberries and other berries.

Agrofabric has a UV-stabilizing layer, wears out slowly, and is not susceptible to temperature fluctuations.

Therefore it is applied as winter shelter, but also works well as a weed control agent.

Another popular type of covering material from Russian manufacturer. Available in two colors:

• yellow - intended to destroy pests on nightshade plants;
• black – a weed control agent, used mainly on strawberry plantations.

The material has a perforated structure, so there is no need to cut holes for cultivated plants. It is enough to cover a plot in the garden, and cultural plantings will not suffer from high temperature, get dirty with soil during watering and precipitation. Agrotex does not wrinkle, is not afraid of temperature fluctuations, and does not provoke soil damage by bacterial infection.

Breathable fabric designed specifically for weed control. Covered plants do not wither from the heat, do not freeze in the cold season. The covered soil remains loose, is not subject to crust-forming and erosion processes, its biochemical component is not disturbed, oxygen and nutrition continue to be fully absorbed by the roots. With proper use of the material cultivated plants They produce crops earlier. You can use agril to mulch strawberries and vegetable beds.

To control weeds, black material with a density of 50 g/m2 is used. For greenhouse equipment, use transparent fabric with a density of 20-40 g/m2.

Lumitex

It is a corrugated film coating with a soft structure and different colors. Due to its ability to reflect harmful sun rays and transmit beneficial ones for plants, even in cloudy weather, agrofibre is used to cover cucumber and berry beds, does not provoke overheating and hypothermia of plants, and accelerates the ripening of fruits.

When equipping a greenhouse, you can combine Lumitex with polyethylene film.

Typically used for cold protection, but can be a good weed killer. The material is of high quality, costs a little more than spunbond, but is actually similar in quality. Available in two color variations - white and black. Density – from 20 to 60 g/m2.

Coating is applied:

• white low density - to protect seedlings and seedlings from spring frosts;
• high-density white - as a winter shelter (in frosts up to 8-10 °C);
• black medium and high density - against weeds.

Before the advent of agrotextiles, black film was the only material for covering the soil from weeds. It darkens perfectly. It can be used to cover not only beds, but row spacing.

Today, film is significantly inferior to modern agricultural fabrics:

• does not allow water to pass through;
• creates a greenhouse effect, which increases the likelihood of fungal infection;
• has a short service life.

How are covering materials used?

Below is step by step instructions on the use of covering cloth against weeds. Need to:

1. Use any method to clear the area of ​​weeds.
2. Add fertilizer. Level the ground.
3. Cut a piece of fabric according to the size of the area with an allowance for fastening of 15 cm.
4. Cut holes in the form of crosses or circles for cultivated plants.
5. In calm weather, cover the area with material.
6. Secure the allowances with stones in the dug grooves or cover them with earth.
7. At different points of the site, attach the material to the soil with wire pins 10 cm long.
8. Sow seeds into the holes and plant seedlings.

How to water covered plants?

Modern covering material allows water to pass through freely.

Watering is carried out using the irrigation method; there is no need to remove the canvas. Liquid fertilizer is carefully poured into the hole.

To prevent waterlogging of the soil and rotting of plants, the moisture level is checked through a cut hole.

The popularity of agrotextiles among farmers and summer residents is not surprising. Easy to use, breathable, durable, resistant to unfavorable factors the material allows you to forget about the existence of weeds for the entire season. At the same time it is inexpensive.

There are many ways to control weeds. You can remove unwanted vegetation from the beds using conventional mechanical weeding. More modern ways is considered to be the use of special chemicals- herbicides, the action of which is aimed at the destruction of certain types of weeds. But not all summer residents are ready to spray their garden with chemicals, and they do not have time for constant weeding. An excellent way out of the situation would be to use special covering materials, for example, black film.

In this article we will look at the pros and cons of such a covering material, evaluate the results of its use and talk in detail about the technology for using black weed control film.

Black weed film

In the past, to protect beds from weeds, summer residents used almost any materials that were on the farm. The aisles were covered with boards, roofing felt or other rolled sheets.

Note: Naturally, there was little benefit from such a shelter for the garden, since not only weeds, but also cultivated plants do not grow under such shelters. At the same time, modern film and agrofibre have completely different properties.

Agrofibre (spunbond) appeared on the market relatively recently, but its numerous advantages have made it extremely popular. Firstly, this material is environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment and the soil. Secondly, it stops the growth of weeds without slowing down the development of cultivated plants. In addition, such a fabric is relatively inexpensive, and its strength allows it to be used for several seasons.

What does black film do on the beds? If you cover the beds with it, the soil underneath will warm up faster. Accordingly, seeds planted in the ground will sprout much faster. At the same time, the weeds that have already appeared in the beds will gradually wither, since the canvas practically does not transmit the sun's rays necessary for photosynthesis (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Application of covering material on beds

There are several ways to lay out the film. In early spring, when the seeds have just been planted in the ground, the material can be spread over all the beds. This will stop the growth of weeds, but at the same time speed up the germination of cultivated plants. When their sprouts are normally developed, the shelter can be removed. In the future, film or agrofibre can be spread between rows to prevent the growth of weeds. However, in this case, it is necessary to take into account that the soil under such a shelter will become very hot, and if you live in the southern regions, it will additionally need to be sprinkled with a layer of light mulch (straw or sawdust) on top.

How to lay black film

On modern market presented wide range cloths for covering beds. As a rule, black film or agrofibre is used for this purpose, but recently two-color non-woven material has become popular, which at the same time prevents the development of weeds and prevents overheating of the soil.

Using black film or agrofibre to cover beds is very simple:

1. Level the surface of the area so that there are no large lumps on it. At the same time, try not to loosen the soil too deeply, so as not to accidentally damage the seeds or young shoots of cultivated plants.
2. Agrofibre needs to be spread out and using a template to make on it round holes, the distance between which corresponds to the spaces between plants. The cuts can be not only round, but also cross-shaped. This method of laying out is suitable if you have already planted crops and the first shoots have appeared on the beds.
3. If you are just planning to sow seeds or plant seedlings, covering the beds can be done the other way around: first spread the material on the site, then make holes and only then place seedlings or seeds in them.

Figure 2. Technology of covering beds with film

On average, the distance between individual plants should be about 40-50 cm. It makes no sense to sow seeds too densely, since under such cover planting material will be poorly ventilated and its germination rate will decrease (Figure 2).

To prevent the agrofibre from being blown away by the wind, it must be pressed down at the edges with bricks, stones, boards or any other heavy material.

Note: It is not recommended to walk too often on beds covered with such material, as this can cause displacement and weeds will grow in the resulting cracks.

Many people are interested in caring for beds covered with film. Some gardeners consider it too complicated, although in fact it is not. Watering and fertilizing plants with liquid fertilizers is simple: just pour the mixture into the hole. If you have completely covered the entire bed, you can water it with a hose directly on top of the agrofibre, since it allows moisture to pass through well.

Forming paths

Black film has proven itself not only in the garden, but also in the garden. Its ability to eliminate weeds is actively used in the formation of paths. The fact is that such a canvas allows air and water to pass through well, but does not allow sunlight to pass through, so the finished paths will not only be free of weeds, but also of puddles (Figure 3).

To make a garden path using black covering material, follow these instructions:

1. Take it off the tracks top layer soil so that the surface is perfectly flat and horizontal. As a result, you will get a small depression in the shape of the future path.
2. Next, the soil on the future path must be thoroughly compacted. In the process, you can also remove excess layers of soil to ensure a smooth and dense surface.
3. After this, you need to lay the film on the track. It should completely cover the ground, so if you are using separate pieces of material, they should be placed overlapping. This will prevent weed seeds from getting into the soil. In addition, it is advisable to leave a small allowance on the sides, since in the future the path will be covered with crushed stone and it is undesirable for it to mix with the ground.

At the final stage of arrangement garden path the film is evenly covered with the selected mulching material. It can be crushed stone or expanded clay. Its layer should be such that the coating is flush with the ground. In addition, it is important to ensure that no pieces of the lower layer are visible from under the crushed stone.

Figure 3. Formation of garden paths

At this point, the arrangement of the garden path can be considered complete. Despite the fact that this method of landscaping is considered simple and inexpensive, the finished paths look very impressive, weeds do not grow through them, and even in heavy rain, water does not accumulate on the surface and puddles do not form. In addition, such paths last quite a long time, and if the crushed stone top covering no longer meets your aesthetic tastes, you can always replace it.

Advantages of black film

Despite the fact that black covering material (film and agrofibre) appeared on the market relatively recently, they are already very popular among summer residents. This is due to the numerous advantages of this material (Figure 4).

Among the main advantages of black film it is worth highlighting:

1. High strength: the material is practically resistant to mechanical damage, so you can use it annually for several years.
2. Affordable price: comparing covering material as a method of weed control with by chemical means eliminating weeds using herbicides, it becomes obvious that buying agrofibre to cover the entire garden will cost less than repeatedly spraying the beds with special chemicals.
3. Quick weed removal: dark color covering material leads to the death of weeds growing underneath it. This is due to the fact that such a shelter does not allow sunlight to pass through, which is necessary for photosynthesis processes. At the same time, the material perfectly allows air, heat and moisture to pass through, so the seeds of cultivated plants germinate under it much faster. After the shoots have formed, the shelter can be removed or simply cuts can be made in the locations where the crop seedlings are located.
4. Convenient care of beds: It is much easier to water and fertilize plants cultivated under the material than in conventional beds. To do this, crops can be watered directly on top of the canvas. However, if you are growing individual plants in round or cross-shaped holes, you can apply the liquid directly into them.
5. No rot or mold: For the production of agrofibre, the most modern technologies, thanks to which the material successfully passes moisture, but rot and mold do not form underneath it.

This advantage sets modern covering materials apart from those used in the past.

Black weed film: how to use

Dark cloth is often used for growing strawberries and other berry crops. In this case, in addition to the advantages given above, one more important advantage of the material can be highlighted. Strawberry bushes grown in holes receive ample heat, moisture, sunlight and nutrients from the soil. In this case, the ripening berries are not on the surface of the soil, but directly on the film, so they are practically not contaminated with soil and sand. This advantage of black material is actively used by farmers who grow strawberries for sale. At this method the berries are not contaminated and retain excellent presentation.

Figure 4. Options for using black film

Black covering material has another important advantage, which concerns the environment and soil conditions. By covering the beds with such a cloth, you prevent the soil from weathering. In addition, despite the increase in soil temperature under the material, moisture evaporates from the soil much more slowly. This condition is especially important for dry areas with little rainfall. However, when using black film in the southern regions, it should be taken into account that in hot weather the soil underneath can become very hot and young crop shoots can simply burn out. To prevent such negative consequences, black film or agrofibre must be additionally covered with a layer of light mulching material (for example, straw or sawdust).

Any modern covering material, be it film or agrofibre, is absolutely safe for the environment, as it is made from environmentally friendly materials. pure materials. This condition is especially important for summer residents who try to use chemicals to a minimum for growing vegetables, berries and herbs, and prefer not to fight weeds with herbicides.

In addition to black agrofibre and film, covering materials of other shades are available on the market, which are also actively used in growing garden crops. For example, white material It transmits sunlight much better and protects the soil from overheating, so it is often used in regions with warm climates. At the same time, weeds may still appear under such a canvas, but their number will be small and you can easily remove the plants manually.

The transparent film promotes rapid heating of the soil. This property of the material will be extremely useful early spring when you need to quickly warm up the soil to carry out planting work. In addition, brown, green and silver films for covering beds are available on the market. The latter has all the advantages of black and white film, but additionally perfectly protects plants from aphids. Brown material allows you to maintain optimal temperature regardless of the time of day, and green prevents overheating and burning of young seedlings.

Using black film to cover beds is quite simple. You can verify this by watching a video that shows in detail the process of using this material.

All summer residents try to get rid of “uninvited guests” on their property by weeding their beds and flower beds. However, weeds do not give up and appear again and again.It is especially difficult to combat perennial weeds that reproduce by rhizomes, creeping shoots or multi-layered root suckers.

Previously, such an “infection” was removed from the site using black plastic film, cardboard sheets, old floor coverings and other materials that do not transmit sunlight.

Now manufacturers of products intended for gardening are offering summer residents the use of non-woven weed covering material that is capable of allowing air and water to pass through, but blocking the sun's rays.

Types of non-woven covering materials Non-woven materials are produced not only to control weeds, but also to protect plants from return frosts and excessively scorching rays of the sun. Therefore, when choosing a material, you must pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Weed covering material is sold on the market under different names, such as-

• "Agril";
• "Spunbond";
• "Lutrasil";
• "Agril";
• "Agrotex";
• "Lumitex";
• "Agrospan" and others.

Regardless of the name, manufacturers divide all non-woven covering materials into four groups:

1. easy;
2. average;
3. white dense;
4. black dense.

Each group is endowed with a certain set of properties and characteristics that influence the method of using this covering fabric.

For example, light, low-density canvases are used to cover beds to protect seedlings from frost. Growing seedlings lift weightless material with their tops, while remaining under reliable shelter from unfavorable climate conditions.

Non-woven fabrics from the fourth group, which have the highest density and are black in color, help in the fight against weeds. Thanks to its dark color, the material retains sunlight, while perfectly accumulating heat. The listed properties determine the main purpose of application nonwoven fabric, which consists in mulching the beds.

How to use covering material?

Mulching agrofibre refers to non-woven polypropylene materials that do not cause any harm to cultivated plants, animals or people. At the same time, agrofibre does not give any chance to weeds, which die from the lack of light, trying to break through the dense material.

The density of mulching covering materials is 50-60 grams per square meter. Scheme for using non-woven weed covering material. Cultivated plants are planted in holes made with a sharp peg. Weeds die because they don't have access to sunlight.

The method of application is as follows:

black agrofibre is spread on the soil that has dried out after winter and prepared for planting, to prevent weeds from sprouting over the entire area of ​​the bed; seedlings are planted in cross-shaped slits made in the covering fabric with a sharp peg or cutting object.

Black agrofibre or two-tone material?

Amateur gardeners, as well as farmers who grow fruits and vegetables on a large scale, are freed from the need to purchase and use herbicides against weeds. Also, they don’t have to disappear for summer cottages with hoes, spending a lot of physical effort and time on weeding. There are simply no weeds.

Only useful crops grow in even rows. In addition, the fruits remain clean after rains, since they do not come into contact with the ground. Strawberries grown on beds covered with agrofibre can be harvested immediately after rain. The berries lie on a dry cloth and have an excellent presentation. They can be served on the table, lightly rinsed from dust, or taken to the market for sale.

Using black mulching agrofibre, you can achieve earlier ripening of the crop. It is possible to reduce the growing time of crops to two weeks by early warming up the soil under cover. The use of mulching agrofibre eliminates a large amount of work on caring for plantings in the garden, since there is no need to weed the beds

An interesting new product has appeared in the range of covering materials -

two-color mulching agrofibre,

superior in functionality to conventional black canvases. The manufacturer has improved the product by combining two thin layers of white and black.

As a result, the covering material is black on one side and white on the other. The dark side the canvas is laid on the ground, and the light surface is on top and reflects sunlight that falls on plants and fruits from below, accelerating their growth and ripening.

Important! The white surface of the mulching two-color agrofibre prevents the root system from overheating, which affects the growth rate of crops grown on the site and the uniformity of fruit ripening.

Agrofibre or film: which is more profitable?

Most farmers and amateur gardeners continue to use black plastic film to control weeds the old fashioned way.

However, it is more profitable to use mulching agrofibre, since this material:

1. perfectly passes water, so watering can be organized by overhead irrigation;
2. allows you to freely apply water-soluble fertilizers, which, passing through the canvas, are completely absorbed by plants;
3. under the agrofibre, which allows air to pass through, mold and rottenness do not form, which cannot be said about plastic film;
4. does not create a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microbes that inhibit root system plants;
5. protects the soil from drying out, due to which the top layer of soil is not compacted and, therefore, does not need to be loosened;
6. prevents the growth of weeds between rows, reducing labor costs.

Most modern mulching materials are designed to last from one to three years or more. When growing strawberries or wild strawberries, this is beneficial, since after a certain period of time the plantings need to be updated.

At this moment, the covering material also changes, because the resource of the old canvas is completely exhausted. The service life of the covering fabric depends on the presence of a UV stabilizer in its composition, which protects the non-woven material from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Mulching the soil with black non-woven materials allows you to grow tomatoes on garden plot without much hassle or physical effort

The use of non-woven material when constructing paths

To ensure that paths laid throughout the garden always have a neat appearance, it is necessary to use mulching covering material.

This canvas will prevent weeds from growing between the individual elements of the path. Since non-woven fabric is capable of transmitting water, you will not find puddles on the path after rain. All moisture will be absorbed into the soil, passing through the mulching material. After excavating the soil, the bottom of the trench is leveled and compacted. Then they spread spunbond, agrospan or other inexpensive type of covering material, covering it with crushed stone, bark, expanded clay, decorative stone or simple gravel. Likewise decorate the trunk circles of fruit trees.

Correct design trunk circle fruit tree. To prevent grass from breaking through from under the layer of crushed stone, you must use mulching non-woven material

Wherever there is a possibility of unwanted grass sprouting, it is necessary to lay a black non-woven covering material. This will solve the problem of weeds once and for all. Proper use of non-woven covering fabrics increases the attractiveness of the site.(With)