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New technologies, garden tools, as well as the efforts of the vegetable grower himself help to grow strong seedlings and get a good harvest in the future. Many devices have been created to help gardeners. One of them is covering material for beds, used in almost every plant growing technology. There is a wide variety of fabrics on the market in different sizes, densities and colors. Each material has its own composition, and, therefore, its properties are also different. What happens and what the covering sheet is used for, we will now try to find out.
Differences in covering material composition
On trade counters, the buyer is presented with various types of covering material for beds, differing in their composition and purpose. In general terms, they can be divided into two groups: Film and non-woven fabric. Each material has its own density and is designed to perform specific tasks in the garden beds.
Non-woven covering material for beds
Sometimes gardeners among themselves refer to non-woven fabric simply as a covering material, but most often it is called agrofibre. In retail outlets you can find such brands of non-woven fabric as: Spunbond, Agrotex, Agrospan, etc.There is no need to look for differences between these names. These are the same agrofibre, just from different manufacturers.
Non-woven covering material is made from polypropylene, although it feels like regular fabric to the touch. Despite its chemical composition, agrofibre is not toxic. The porous structure perfectly allows air and water to pass through, but retains heat above the covered beds. The non-woven material is resistant to UV radiation, which is why it has a long service life.
Non-woven covering material is in great demand among vegetable growers, but it must be used correctly. Agrofibre is produced in black and white colors, as well as in different densities. Before using non-woven fabric, you need to pay attention to all these characteristics.
Depending on the density, non-woven material has its purpose:
- Agrofibre density 17–30 g/m2 indicates that the material will protect the plants in the garden from light frosts and scorching UV rays. Often such a light canvas is used to cover plantings from the invasion of harmful insects. Strawberries are saved from birds eating ripe berries.
- Agrofibre, the density of which is 42–62 g/m2, used to cover arc greenhouses. The material is wrapped around low trees and shrubs in winter to protect them from severe frosts.
- Agrofibre with the highest density 60 g/m2 similarly used in the manufacture of greenhouses. Dense material black color laid on the ground to protect against weed.
Now let's figure out why different colors of agrofibre are needed. White non-woven material allows daylight to reach the plants. It is used to cover greenhouses and cover greenhouses. That is, plants develop under white agrofibre.
Black non-woven material is intended for soil mulching. If you cover a plot of land with such agrofibre, it can be protected from weeds.
Gardeners who used black non-woven material were convinced of its effectiveness in growing strawberries.
Black agrofibre must be laid over the entire bed and in the places where the strawberries will be planted, slits must be made with a knife. The soil under the canvas with holes will always be warm and moist, which has a beneficial effect on the development of strawberries. Avoiding contact of the berries with the soil will prevent the appearance of rot. The porous structure will allow you to water the bed from above the covering material. Strawberries in the garden under black covering material are completely protected from weeds. Moreover, the laid canvas does not interfere with berry picking. You can walk on it.
However, experienced gardeners advise cutting out round windows, since curved petals often interfere with caring for the plant. In addition, in the corners of a square hole, agrofibre breaks faster.
Polyethylene film
Covering greenhouses and covering greenhouses with film is still popular among summer residents. The advantage of this covering material is its low cost, excellent light transmission, and the ability to protect plants from strong winds and frosts.However, the high density of polyethylene also determines its disadvantages. The film does not allow air to pass through. To prevent the plants in the greenhouse from becoming steamy, timely ventilation is required. Inside the greenhouse, water droplets form on the surface of the film, creating a lens effect. The refracted rays of the sun burn the young foliage of plants.
Polyethylene film is sold in rolls, most often in the form of a sleeve. If a larger width of covering material is needed, the sleeve is simply unraveled with a knife or scissors and separated. The variety of polyethylene covering material is much wider than agrofibre. Now let's look at the types of films for covering beds:
- Transparent polyethylene used as lining for greenhouses and covering greenhouses to protect seedlings at the beginning of the season. The film prevents the negative effects of cold wind and rain on young plants. Polyethylene does not withstand snow loads, prolonged exposure to UV rays and mechanical impacts from sharp objects. Usually this cheap shelter lasts for one season.
- Polyethylene with light-stabilizing additives has a long service life. The film is not afraid of exposure to UV rays, so it can last at least three seasons. You can recognize this type of polyethylene by its yellow color. Over time, it fades in the sun, but does not lose its properties. The scope of application is the same as for transparent polyethylene.
- Reinforced film wins in terms of strength. The material is resistant to mechanical damage, and new types are even capable of allowing moisture to pass through. Reinforced polyethylene is excellent for cladding greenhouses.
- Colored polyethylene in gardening they are used to mulch the soil.The film prevents the growth of weeds and the evaporation of moisture from the soil, maintaining optimal soil temperature. If you lay out colored film along the aisles between the beds, you will get a clean path without grass. In agriculture, colored films cover hay and other objects for winter storage.
- Black film 100% stops weed growth. Used for mulching the soil. Due to its resistance to destruction in the sun, black film is used in strawberry growing technology. The method is the same as when using black agrofibre. On the farm, black film is used in the construction of decorative ponds in the country, where it serves as bottom waterproofing.
- Has a double effect black and white polyethylene. Most often, the soil inside greenhouses is covered with film. When laying, you need to make sure that the dark side lies on the ground. This will prevent weeds from growing. The white side of the film is placed on top. It will reflect excess sunlight.
- Film with air bubbles characterized by a high thermal protection index. The material is used to cover greenhouses or greenhouses, and then only in the northern regions. Sometimes bubble wrap can be found inside the packaging of fragile goods.
Durable films are used in the manufacture of vertical beds. If you sew a bag from several layers of reinforced polyethylene, strengthen it on a vertical support and pour soil inside, you can plant decorative plants or strawberries. Moreover, plants can grow from a bag open at the top or in slits made on the side.
In the video you can see the types of covering material:
They strengthen the covering material on the beds as best they can. There are no special rules here.Most often, the canvas is sprinkled with earth or pressed down with a weight. Tying to stakes driven into the ground is allowed.
Arrangement of paths using agrofibre
Mulching covering material helps in arranging garden paths. It can be film or agrofibre, but must be black. It is best to use non-woven material due to its water permeability. Puddles will never accumulate on the garden path after rain.
To make a path or create a decorative circle around a tree trunk, you need to dig a ditch as deep as a spade bayonet. The bottom is covered with black agrofibre, and the top is covered with crushed stone, pebbles or other decorative stone. There will be no weeds or puddles in this area.
How to decide on the right choice of covering material
When choosing a covering material for your needs, you need to know that agrofibre cannot always be replaced with film or vice versa. Let's look at how to choose covering material for beds and other work using several examples:
- Transparencies ideal for covering greenhouses and greenhouses in early spring. Polyethylene will provide full access to daylight, which will extend the growing season of crops. The film will protect plants from frost and cold wind and rain.
- When there is intense heat during the day and cold at night, it is optimal to use agrofibre. Non-woven material allows air to pass through and retains heat. Plants will be equally comfortable at any time of the day. When using film instead of agrofibre, the greenhouse will have to be opened during the day and covered at night.
- Polyethylene is destroyed by the influence of many natural factors. To cover winter plantings throughout the winter, it is better to use dense agrofibre.
- Greenhouses in large areas with an automatic irrigation system are covered with agrofibre due to the ability of the material to pass water. Under the film cover, the beds will remain unwatered.
- Polyethylene will quickly tear if it is used to wrap heat-loving shrubs for the winter. Agrofibre is well suited for these purposes.
Reviews
Reviews from summer residents and experienced gardeners will help us learn how different covering materials are used in garden beds.
