How to choose a covering material for weeds?

Features of the use of covering material

Weed control agrofibre is a durable and lightweight raw material made from polymers. The breathable fabric perfectly permeates oxygen, protects plantings from frost and inhibits the reproduction of harmful plants and fungi. The wear-resistant compound can withstand active operation for 7 years.

If you lay a dense covering material on the site, then the earth under the layer is not washed out with precipitation. The product does not enter into chemical reactions with fertilizers and poisons, therefore it retains its original qualities for a long time.

Weed shelter helps growers provide a well-groomed and attractive lawn look. The protective non-woven strip does not harm crops and does not disturb the composition of the soil. Moisture does not evaporate for a long time, which is important for giving a weekend. Blocking the receipt of ultraviolet radiation will get rid of excess vegetation, protect from frequent weeding.

Mulching the beds with covering material is a useful procedure that will make it easier to grow vegetables, berries and flowers. The popular weed control has advantages over manual loosening:

1. Protection from the negative environment. Young plants do not suffer from a lack of moisture, nutrition, do not die from excessive solar activity. The upper soil layer is not compacted, does not collapse under the influence of precipitation, irrigation.
2. Optimal conditions for development. A natural microclimate is created under the film, encouraging crops to grow. Disease-causing bacteria do not take root.
3. Ease of maintenance. Protection does not interfere with irrigation, liquid fertilization.
4. Versatility. Covering material can be put on the garden bed, cover the surfaces of the greenhouse or equip the garden path.
5. Resistant to wear and tear. Agrofibre has a dense structure, so it retains its original appearance and quality for a long time. Manufacturers claim that the products can withstand 7 to 12 seasons of active use.

In order for the covering material from weeds to serve for the 7-12 years declared by the manufacturer, the raw materials must be properly stored. For the winter, the canvas is removed from the garden, the remains of the soil are washed off and treated with a fungicide solution. Agro-fabric is dried on a clothesline, rolled into a roll without bending the surface. The product can be laid on the bottom of a special box.

We offer you to familiarize yourself with Light arc greenhouses with covering material

Colour

Participant kler26 writes: “Has anyone used black agrofibre used to cover the soil in the weed beds? Something I have suffered with him. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I water it only in each hole - the water washes away the earth, bare roots remain. therefore I regularly add earth. Weed and grow under fiber. you have to stick your hand in and pull them out somehow, it's very inconvenient. In addition, the fiber is periodically poked out of the ground, so you have to crawl and sprinkle it on a new one. I thought it would be easier with him, but something turns out to be more troublesome. "

The canvases differ in color, which is also chosen in accordance with the field of application. They are suitable for the following purposes:

• Black. It is used in cold regions. They attract the sun's rays, so the soil warms up faster. Even before planting the plants, the beds are lined with material. After 1-1.5 weeks, the soil becomes suitable for sowing.
• White. Reflects light, preventing weeds from growing. In the canvas, cuts are made for plants. Shoots above the material receive more light.
• Black and white. The canvases are white on one side and black on the other. They are spread directly to the beds.The black side faces down. This inhibits the growth of the grass. The white side reflects the sun's rays, preventing overheating of the soil and plants. The material is used for vegetable gardens in warm climates. You will need to water and weed the beds less often.
• Green. It is used for near-stem decoration, for soil mulching. Creates a beautiful landscape near the house, excludes the germination of weeds.

How to use weed cover material correctly

For the use of a covering material to be effective, it must be used correctly. Traditionally, the bed is first covered with a film or cloth, and then cross-shaped holes are made in it, into which seeds or seedlings are planted. But in practice, it is much easier and more convenient to make small round holes, since the edges of the cruciform slots can interfere with the growth of crops (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Application of agrofibre in the beds

If you plan to cover a garden with carrots, beets, radishes or other vegetables, the seeds of which are planted directly into the ground, with agrofibre, you can simply spread the material on the ground, and when the crops germinate and get stronger, simply remove the shelter for further development of sprouts.

The correct use of covering material in the beds looks like this:

1. The soil on the bed must be carefully leveled and all lumps must be broken so that the surface is perfectly flat.
2. We lay out the canvas next to the bed and make marks on it for future cuts.
3. You can use a small saucer to make an even circle. Cruciform incisions are made with an ordinary knife. The distance between the holes is on average 40-45 cm, but this depends on the type of plants being grown. reducing the distance between the holes is not recommended, as too dense planting will deprive plants of light and air, and they will develop more slowly.
4. The canvas prepared in this way is laid out on the garden bed and its edges are fixed with pegs, bricks or small stones.

After that, it remains only to plant seedlings or seeds in the prepared holes. Taking care of crops is also quite simple: since there is no need to loosen and remove weeds, all care comes down to periodic watering and feeding directly into the holes.

In addition to the technology of using the covering material, you need to choose the right type of it. A wide range of similar products is presented on the modern market, ranging from black film and agrofibre to white and colored non-woven fabrics. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we will consider the features of using the most popular types in more detail.

Black agrofibre

Black agrofibre has many benefits, so it is no surprise that it is the most commonly used for weed control (Figure 3).

Of the main advantages of black agrofibre, it is worth highlighting:

1. Reduced labor and financial costs: Weeds simply do not grow under such a fabric, so you do not have to spend money on buying herbicides or wasting energy on constant weeding.
2. Fruit purity: if you grow strawberries or other berries under such agrofibre, you do not have to wash them from the remains of the earth, since the fruits are on the surface of the fabric and dirt and sand do not settle on them.
3. Acceleration of crop growth: this coating speeds up seed germination, since the soil under the dark agrofibre warms up much faster than in the beds without it.

Figure 3. Areas of application of black agrofibre

At the same time, such a canvas is not recommended for use in a southern climate, where the soil is strongly warmed up by the sun. But, if you still want to use exactly black material, then on top of it you need to additionally cover it with a layer of light mulch, for example, hay, straw or sawdust.

Two-tone or white fabric

White and two-tone agrofibers are also popular.The first type of material can be used in any climatic and soil conditions. Like black, white linen protects the beds from the germination of weeds, but at the same time allows a sufficient amount of solar heat, air and moisture to pass to the cultivated plants (Figure 4).

Figure 4. External features of a two-color covering material

A more modern option is a two-tone fabric. It appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already established itself as a reliable protection against weeds. One side of the canvas is white and the other is black. Such material should be laid with the black side to the ground, and the white side out. This will reflect sunlight off the fabric, but heat will be absorbed by the darker underside. As a result, the plants will receive more heat and grow faster. At the same time, ripening occurs evenly, since the roots of young seedlings do not overheat.

The composition and application of the covering material

The covering material is made from ethylene polymers by thermoplastic processing under pressure. This makes it possible to obtain a sufficiently dense artificial canvas that is resistant to impacts, transmits light and heat well, does not deform in frost and has low adhesion.

Thanks to these properties, the covering material is well suited for protecting young seedlings and soil, retaining moisture in the soil, and also helps to combat weeds.

It is used in several ways:

1. Directly cover the plants with material that rises as the stems grow. To prevent the canvas from flying off, the edges are sprinkled with earth or covered with a wooden bar.

2. Make small arcs over the bed and cover the frame.

3. Build full-fledged greenhouses and sheathe roll material.

4. Spread on the ground, and make small cuts for stem germination.

This synthetic substance is used in different seasons. In spring, young shoots are protected from frequent frosts, which allows them to get cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries and greens earlier than usual. In summer, the material prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil and this reduces the work of caring for plants (frequent watering, hilling).

In autumn, artificial fabric allows you to re-harvest radishes, carrots, strawberries, cucumbers and zucchini, when the nights are already cold and the sprouts do not survive under normal conditions. In winter, the covering material is used to protect tubers and seeds remaining in the soil (flower varieties, garlic, strawberry roots). They are also shrouded in berry bushes from autumn to spring in harsh regions.

Due to its dense structure and interaction with light, the covering material is capable of:

• increase productivity;
• reduce moisture loss in heat;
• accelerate the ripening of fruits;
• reduce labor costs for tillage;
• protect from frost;
• prevent birds from eating the crop;
• neutralize excess ultraviolet light.

Types of covering material

Agricultural weed cloth on the market comes in several popular varieties. Products differ in density, color and manufacturing method. The characteristics of the nonwoven fabric are selected individually for the needs of the farmer.

Spunbond

A covering fabric made of polypropylene fibers is created using a special technique. A durable and wear-resistant coating is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation, precipitation and temperature extremes. Raw materials are used both in the open field and in greenhouses. Spunbond from weeds with a density of 50 g / m2 inhibits the growth of harmful vegetation, protects from frost. In regions with cold climates, an option from 60 to 80 g is suitable.

Two-layer covering material is used as mulch and protection against negative weather conditions. The light layer neutralizes excessive sun exposure and prevents plantings from overheating. The lower tier suppresses the development of weeds. Reinforced models with increased strength can be used to create paths in the garden, vegetable garden.

White fiber with a density of 17 to 40 g / m2 transmits light, maintains an optimal microclimate, and therefore is only suitable for arranging greenhouses. Spunbond is not afraid of temperature fluctuations in the range from +100 to -50 ° С. Weed products do not react with chemicals and do not emit toxins.

Geotextile

Non-woven covering material is made from polyester fibers. With the help of thermal bonding, the threads are woven into fabric. The resulting canvas is very strong, air permeable. Weed control geotextiles are popular because of:

• low cost;
• durability;
• clear installation;
• versatility.

Agrospan

The products of the Russian company "Ayask" in terms of quality and directions of use almost do not differ from spunbond. UV stabilizers protect the fabric from sunlight. Inexpensive covering material is used in the cultivation of garden strawberries, strawberries and berry plants. Agrospan, which is resistant to wear, can be left for the winter, but it shows the best results when fighting harmful grasses.

Agrotex

A well-known Russian trade mark offers several types of popular raw materials. The yellow version is used to kill insects on nightshade crops. The use of black geotextile from weeds makes it easier to care for strawberries: during the season, the high temperature does not burn the berries, and soil mud after watering does not stain the crop.

The perforated surface makes the work of the farmer easier, eliminates the need for manual cutting of holes for plants. The covering material from the roll does not deform from temperature extremes, suppresses the formation of pathogenic bacteria. It is rolled out on the site, the seedlings are placed in the holes.

Agril

High air permeability is used for weed control. Crops do not suffer in heat and do not freeze in frost. Agryl protects the soil from crusting and erosion. If you install it correctly on the site, then the plants will give an early harvest. The transparent form has a density of 17 and 40 g / m2, transmits sunlight and is used in greenhouses.

The characteristics of the black covering material are 50 g / m2, therefore it is suitable for weed control on the site. If strawberries and vegetables are mulched with a cloth, then biological processes in the earth are not interrupted. Oxygen enters the root system, the moisture level is not disturbed.

Lumitex

The soft corrugated film is available in several colors. Agrofibre transforms the sun's rays, leaving only the ones needed for the development of plants, especially in cloudy weather. Reflective properties are suitable for hiding cucumbers and strawberries, exclude dangerous overheating and freezing, accelerate the ripening of the crop. When equipping greenhouses, a summer resident can combine lumitex with polyethylene.

Lutrasil

German agrotextiles are produced in two types - spun and non-woven. The first option is used for greenhouses and row spacing, the second can be mulched. The structure of the canvas resembles a thin web. The fabric is breathable, so condensation never forms underneath. It is produced in different density options - from 17 to 60 g / m2.

Black film

Inexpensive covering material is used for mulching beds, and reinforced material is used in landscape design. The product does not allow air to pass through well, therefore fungi and rot may appear from condensation under the layer. The dark upper tier is very hot from the sun, which is contraindicated for seedlings. The black weed film helps to suppress the development of harmful plants. To minimize the negative properties, it is necessary to sprinkle the structure with straw on top.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before making a choice, you need to consider the pros and cons of the black covering material. A number of gardeners believe that he is better than white, and more reliably copes with the tasks.

The canvas is able to protect plantings from the effects of an adverse environment.They are not affected by direct sunlight and precipitation. And also a deficiency of moisture and nutrition is excluded. The natural microclimate does not allow pathogenic bacteria to take root, in addition, ideal conditions for growth are created. It is very easy to care for seedlings, fertilize or water them.

It is noted that the black covering material is universal. It can be used when organizing greenhouses and greenhouses, for arranging paths or stretching over a garden bed.

Black film is most often used for mulching procedures. The product is highly appreciated for its affordable price. Reinforced canvases are popular in landscape design. Weeds practically do not grow under the black film.

However, this tool may also have disadvantages. A number of them are associated with improper installation of the product or non-observance of operating rules. In this case, significant harm can be caused to the seedlings, since errors lead to the appearance of condensation, and it threatens with problems such as fungus, and in some cases, the death of plants.

In addition, black items are subject to intense heat. Since the passage of air is difficult, this can threaten the formation of rot. To make the negative features less pronounced, gardeners recommend sprinkling the material with straw. In hot areas, cover the plantings with newspapers or grass. UV stabilizers are destroyed after 2 months of operation.

Conclusion

For many decades, gardeners and summer residents fought against weeds, weeding the beds in the old fashioned way. Today, covering materials are very popular, which allow you to completely solve this problem.

Such a nonwoven fabric is easy to use, due to the porous structure, watering is simplified, it is durable and resistant to solar radiation. If we take into account the affordable cost of such a protective cloth, then one should not be surprised at its popularity among domestic summer residents and gardeners.