Covering material: non-woven fabrics for trees and other plants. Which side to lay up? White covering material and other colors for the garden

Polyethylene film

Historically, the most popular covering material for greenhouses and greenhouses is film. However, if ten years ago during the spring purchases it was necessary to take into account only the width and thickness of the plastic film, now there are more parameters. This is color, and breathability, and UV resistance, and elasticity.

Although the service life of modern films with stabilizers is designated by manufacturers as five years, it is better to change the greenhouse and greenhouse cover every three years, because during this time even the whole film becomes cloudy and loses some of its original characteristics.

Choosing a covering material for a greenhouse
We understand the disadvantages and advantages of popular types of covering materials for a greenhouse.

Elastic film for greenhouses

A gusty strong wind can ruffle the film by the end of May, leaving a patchy misunderstanding from the greenhouse and forcing the summer resident, gritting his teeth, to overlap everything anew. If this problem is familiar to you firsthand, try using EVA film. It stretches, almost like rubber, perfectly transmits light, is not afraid of frost and lasts up to 5 years if properly used.

Covering a greenhouse or greenhouse with such a film is desirable for those who live in open spaces or know that there are frequent winds in their region.

Thermal insulation film for greenhouses

The main task of the film for greenhouses and greenhouses is to retain heat and protect plants from recurrent frosts and nighttime cold snaps. This is best done with a matte white or greenish film. The temperature under it is always (including at night) 5 ° C higher than under the usual one, and during sudden cold snaps, it retains heat longer.

Hydrophilic film for greenhouses

Why can you grow cucumbers under a film, but tomatoes under another covering material? Because the film constantly condenses water dripping onto the leaves. Only a hydrophilic film is protected from such an effect, which can be identified by its characteristic blue tint. Through it, water flows in streams to the base of the shelter, and the film itself, moreover, is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

Film with a phosphor additive

Not only the thickness of the polyethylene film, but also the additives in its composition have a positive effect on the degree of plant protection. For example, light pink or orange films with a phosphor additive can have a beneficial effect on plants. The fact is that they convert ultraviolet radiation into infrared and thereby increase the productivity of plants, protecting them not only from the cold, but also from overheating.

To understand that in front of you is exactly a film with an additive, and not a painted fake, you need to shine an ultraviolet lamp on it - when passing through the film, the light of the lamp should change to red.

Reinforced film for greenhouses

Reinforced film is a great option for those who want to cover the greenhouse, but are afraid of strong winds and are not ready to spend money on glass or polycarbonate. The technology of its manufacture differs from the usual one, in fact, these are three layers of film, between which a layer of reinforcing mesh is laid. In addition, the composition contains UV stabilizers that allow you to evenly distribute sunlight and extend the life of the material.

On sale there is also reinforced polyethylene with holes punched in it, allowing plants to breathe in such a shelter, that is, solving the main problem of film structures.

Greenhouse bubble wrap

Bubble wrap for greenhouses and greenhouses also looks unusual. Air bubbles are reliably sealed between 2-3 layers of the material itself, which increases heat protection twenty times. However, this film also has a minus - its transparency is much worse than that of the usual one.

How to choose?

You can buy spunbond for gardening works in construction or agricultural stores.

When buying, you need to pay attention not only to the density and color, but also to the width, the presence of an ultraviolet stabilizer in the composition and reinforcement. It is necessary to select the covering material according to the length and width of the covered area, taking into account that the canvas should be 10-15 cm wider than the bed

This is necessary so that the edges can be fixed with stones, pegs or sprinkled with soil. For agricultural needs, rolled spunbond is more suitable, having a width:

1.6 m - convenient for small and narrow beds, it is convenient for them to cover early crops of carrots, beets, radishes and greens;
2.1 m - this width is suitable for arched greenhouses and small frame greenhouses in which tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers are planted;
3.2 m - needed for mulching beds of large vegetable crops (pumpkin, zucchini) or large areas of strawberries.

Spunbond sold in packages usually contains 5-10 cuts, the width and length of which are indicated on the package. You can find convenient options for your beds. In addition, the packaging provides all the necessary information for the buyer - the area and density of the material, the presence of the SUF, the country of origin. To cover greenhouses and greenhouses, it is better to buy a covering material with an ultraviolet stabilizer. It helps to maintain the required temperature balance - it does not get very hot under the scorching rays, it keeps heat well and lets it through a little when the temperature drops at night.

Reinforcement is an additional element of some types of material and is represented by elastic inserts in the form of a mesh. It increases the density of the web and increases its service life. Reinforced spunbond is recommended for covering greenhouses in regions with unstable temperatures and frequent winds. A black reinforced canvas with a high density is suitable for landscaping a site or sheltering paths between beds.

Planting young strawberry plants on agrofibre

You can use such a drug!

Pre-young seedlings with an open root system can be kept in root formation stimulants (Zircon, humates, Kornevin, Heteroauxin, HB-1). The long roots of the seedlings are trimmed slightly, leaving a length of 5–10 cm.

When planting by hand, the edges of the tissue incision are pushed apart, the roots are placed vertically in the hole (they should not be bent), squeezed with soil. At the same time, the heart rises slightly above ground level. Plants are watered directly into the holes so that the earth fills all the voids around the roots. The growth point remains open. If it is covered with soil, it can rot and die.

Dig a hole to the depth of the scoop, leave the earth for backfilling.

If sunny, hot weather is expected, then the new plants are shaded for several days (for example, with white agrofibre). A few days later, the beds are checked: bushes are planted in place of the dead, sagging hearts are raised. Further watering is carried out directly on the surface of the plantation.

The heart of the seedling should remain on the surface of the earth.

Which side to put the white covering material on. Types of covering material

If the grower has a small area that does not allow the installation of a greenhouse, the shelter is created from garden arches, on which a film or synthetic nonwoven materials are placed on top, more often it is spunbond.One of the advantages of using a mini-greenhouse is its maneuverability: when warm weather is established, there is no need to protect the plant and the structure can be easily disassembled, and in the next season it is used again, not necessarily in the same place.

But there are also disadvantages - such a greenhouse is not able to protect the seedlings from severe frosts and bad weather, the human factor is important - if the covering material is poorly fixed, it can be ripped off by the wind and the crop will be lost.

Polyethylene film. The cheapest and most common type of covering material. Its service life, depending on the type, does not exceed 5 years, and the simplest, thin film can serve faithfully, alas, only for one season. This is very small, so manufacturers often use various additives, extending the service life and improving other properties.

The hydrophilic film has a blue tint. This material contains special particles that repel water droplets. Due to this, condensate does not accumulate on the surface, but flows down in streams, protecting the plant from excessive moisture.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film will last longer than conventional film. It is more dense, rubbery, does not crack in the cold, and transmits sunlight well.

Reinforced film. Includes several layers, between which there is glass fiber, which prevents the film from tearing. It is more often used for covering greenhouses.

Films with additives. Red or orange color indicates that the components that make up its composition are capable of converting ultraviolet radiation from the sun into infrared, which has a beneficial effect on plants. The green tint indicates higher thermal properties - under such a film it is 5 degrees warmer than under a normal one.

Spunbond. A relatively new covering material. Its peculiarity is its texture - due to this, it allows air, sun, water to pass through, while retaining heat and inhibiting the growth of weeds. Its use is not limited only to shelter, it is also used for soil mulching. This is a synthetic artificial agrofiber, obtained by bonding polypropylene threads together in different directions.

When choosing it, you should pay attention to the density and color. Usually white spunbond is used for covering, black is placed as protection of the plant from weeds

There is also a black and white version, it is laid with the white side up to ensure greater reflectivity of sunlight and quick ripening of fruits, the black side facing the soil will provide protection from weeds, prevents the formation of a crust on the soil surface.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with:

17-30 g / sq. m, this is the lightest and thinnest version of agrofibre of all presented. Suitable for protecting plants from short-term spring night frosts, direct sunlight in the daytime. At the same time, a special, favorable microclimate is created for the seedlings - warm, light, moisture in sufficient quantity, protection from birds and insects. It is used to cover berries, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants.

30-42 g / sq. m, a denser and more durable spandbond, is used more often for arranging greenhouses. Able to protect plants from frost up to 5 ° C, wind, hail.

60 g / sq. m, durable and dense material, capable of protecting at -10 ° C. Can be used as a greenhouse covering material. Black is used for mulching soil in flower beds, along paths, berry beds. It allows moisture to pass through, therefore, watering and feeding the plants is carried out without removing the spandbond from the soil surface.

An alternative way to use agro-grid

Shading nets protect the plant, and sometimes the crop, from direct sunlight.

Agrotechnics are used in crop production to reduce the number of germinating weeds.This method is highly effective and widely used.

Types of covering material from weeds

A popular method of weed control is spreading cover material on the soil. The beds are covered with a special cloth. The roots of the seedlings are warm, and the ground part is under the sun. So the weeds end up in the dark, where they die without sunlight.

Covering the beds with geotextiles is much easier than spraying them with herbicides and insecticides. You can choose a suitable type:

agrofiber;
agrotechnical;
film.

Agrofiber

How to Apply Weed Control Nonwoven Fabric

This is a great alternative to regular polyethylene, which is often used for vegetable gardens. Agrofibre is a black non-woven covering material. It is made of polypropylene by the spinning method (by running through small holes - spinnerets). The threads are fused due to heat treatment, creating a strong base.
During manufacturing, manufacturers introduce stabilizing substances that can increase the beneficial properties of the material. Agrofibre, in addition to preventing the growth of weeds, has other advantages:

Fits gently without forming creases. Easily cut, can be sewn to the desired size. For example, a gardener can easily sew up mechanical damage, tears, and apply patches.
Synthetic - the material does not rot. The composition is not capable of collapsing from ultraviolet radiation, in direct sunlight.
Provides warming up of the soil in early spring. This reduces the ripening time of crops, especially thermophilic ones.
Porous structure - the roots of the plant, like the soil layer, breathe. Due to air exchange in humus, earthworms and beneficial microorganisms work more actively.
Water permeability. Water passes during irrigation, during rain without obstacles, and thanks to agrofibre, evaporation from the surface of the garden is reduced.
Dense (60 g / m²), thanks to this, the service life is from 3 years.
Safe. Does not emit harmful substances, even with active solar radiation, on hot days. Does not react with soil, water, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemical compounds.

Cons: at the first time of use, water does not pass enough when watering from above.

Types of agrotextiles

Different brands may have different names for agrofibers. Moreover, it is manufactured using a similar technology. List of titles:

Spunbond;
Agril;
Agrotex;
Agrolux;
Agrospan;
Greentex;
Lutrasil.

In recent years, a two-layer covering option has become widespread - white-black or yellow-black Agrotex. The lower dark part prevents weeds from growing. White - protects the roots and the ground part of the plant from overheating. Two-layer covering Agrotex is convenient to use in greenhouses, greenhouses and southern regions.

Agrotkan

Agrotextile for protecting strawberries from weeds

Another popular covering material is agrotechnical. Textiles have a high strength index (density is 100 g / sq. M). According to other characteristics, agrotextile practically does not differ from agrofibre. Due to its strength, this reusable material will last not 3-4 years, as in the previous case, but 10-12 years. But the price of agrotechnical fabric is several times higher.

This lightweight covering polypropylene material provides a decent harvest of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Prevents the growth of weeds, protects against birds and insects, protects against frost. Other advantages and disadvantages of agrofibre are the same as those of agrofibre.

There is another agrotextile option that also does a good job of stopping the growth of weeds. These are extra strong varieties with a density of 90 g / m² or more. In terms of strength, such geotextiles are approximately in the middle between dense agrotextile and light, airy agrofibre. All mulching fabrics are air and moisture permeable.

Film

Covering the beds with a film against weeds

Black weed film has long been the only material used by gardeners. PVC material has good darkening properties, weeds do not survive in such conditions. The disadvantage of the covering film is the inability to pass water.

Because of this, condensation forms under it, which provokes fungal diseases. Another problem is that there is only enough shelter for the season. To extend the service life, it is better to purchase a special reinforced film. It is stronger, it covers not only the rows, but also the aisles between the beds, so that weeds do not grow.

Myth 3: It is enough to cover low-growing plants with earth.

Low-growing crops or shoots left after pruning need only a small earthen mound. Most summer residents think so, but this is only half of the truth about sheltering low crops for the winter. The “earthen hill” practically does not protect from severe frost, but it actively removes moisture during spring floods, preventing the root system from getting wet.

To create a heat cushion, humus should be used instead of soil from the site. It is looser, does not cake, and its thermal insulation is higher than that of ordinary earth. And yet, even such a shelter should be considered only as an additional one, without neglecting the installation of a protective hut on top of rose bushes and other plants.

The layer of humus or peat above the plant should be 15-20 cm

Black covering material, which side to lay. Tired of weeding strawberry beds - use black covering material

Good afternoon, dear summer residents! I am completely delighted with my strawberry beds: clean, not overgrown with weeds, and this summer I collected berries from them apparently - invisibly! Use black covering material, the use of new technology helped me solve the problem with weeds, slugs ... However, judge for yourself.

All ingenious is simple

Non-woven covering material is a modern product. Previously, to protect seedlings from frost or scorching sunlight, improvised means were used - cardboard sheets, film. Today they are being replaced by a product of new technologies.

What is it for and what properties does it have?

Protects roots and aerial shoots of plants from temperature changes;
Accumulates heat and moisture, vegetables and berries planted under it do not need frequent watering and do not freeze;
Helps with weeds by blocking the access of light;
Mulches the ground, it is successfully used instead of straw and sawdust.

Usually, the manufacturer of the products indicates in the instructions what this or that type of non-woven agrofibre is intended for. According to the composition and density, the following types are distinguished: light, medium, dense white, dense opaque.

Whether in the garden, in the garden

Gardeners and gardeners miracle - they use the coating depending on their needs. In a greenhouse and greenhouses that are not designed for heating, with the threat of late frosts, cucumbers and tomatoes are covered with a material of low density. It will protect the plants from the cold. For strawberries and as mulch, choose a dense black coating. It allows moisture to pass inside, so the berries remain dry even after rain. At the same time, breathing pores allow breathing, prevent root system decay, and prevent the formation of mold.

For gardeners who do not know how to properly use covering material for beds, I can advise you to watch thematic videos - there are a lot of them on the network. If you are trying to protect the seedlings from frost, gently wrap the crown of the young tree with a light to medium density coating. Tie the bottom edge around the trunk with twine, and tie the top edge with a bow over the top branches. It'll be enough.

If you want to cover the area with them to avoid weed growth, roll out part of the roll on the garden bed, fixing the piece around the entire perimeter of the area. Plants are planted in grooves made in agrofibre with a special knife or other pointed object.Do the same with strawberry bushes. An important point: it is laid on the ground in early spring, when the seeds of weeds have not yet sprouted.

How to

If you do not know which side to put the black covering material, pay attention to the texture. The fleecy side should be flat on the ground

Can't define "face" and "wrong side"? Pour water over a small area. The side that passes it is "up".

And one more way of using the material, "spied" by me from my neighbors in the country. Agrofibre is successfully applied as a base on garden paths or around tree trunks. Then the grass does not germinate through the gravel poured from above.

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.

Film cover for beds

Colored film shelter

The film has a wide range of applications, is inexpensive, has good light transmittance, protects crops from frost and weeds. Unlike non-woven material, it does not allow water and air to pass through itself. Without additional ventilation, this can lead to the appearance of fungus and mold. At the same time, polyethylene retains much more heat in the greenhouse, protects well from wind and hail.

Manufacturers add stabilizers to ordinary cellophane, which impart certain qualities and slow down the decomposition process. Such materials have a specific color, indicating the type of film:

The blue tint shows UV resistance and hydrophilic qualities. Special components in the composition do not allow condensate drops to form, moisture flows down the inner surface in streams.
Green tint - increased heat-saving properties. Keeps the temperature at night 5 degrees more than normal film.
The EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) transparent film has a long service life of 5-10 years. It is rubbery to the touch and has good light transmission properties. Due to its strength and elasticity, it can withstand severe frosts.
A reddish or orange hue is used to convert ultraviolet radiation to infrared. Promotes the acceleration of plant vegetation.

Be careful, the polyethylene film has a coefficient of radiation scattering. For the southern regions, protection against excessive lighting is used - a high coefficient is chosen. In northern latitudes, a low coefficient coating is applied to provide plants with sufficient light.

Reinforced film shelter

From the inside, the film is reinforced with mesh, used to cover greenhouses, greenhouse frames. Does not stretch, does not deform, is resistant to various mechanical influences. Withstands aggressive atmospheric conditions for a long time, has UV protection. The service life depends on the observance of the fastening technology, is 3-5 years.

Air bubble film

Bubble film

Thanks to air sacs on the film, reliable protection against hypothermia is provided. Greenhouses and greenhouses are covered with canvas during severe frosts.They are removed immediately after the cold weather retreats so that excess moisture does not accumulate inside. The material is presented in two types:

Two-layer - air bubbles are fixed on top of the plastic film. It is used as insulation, as a packaging, insulating protection for fragile items.
Three-layer - a bubble layer is fixed on the surface of the polyethylene film, and above it is a layer of a flat film. Has increased strength and density. It is used as a covering material for the greenhouse, for uniform light distribution, maximum thermal insulation.

Double-sided polyethylene

Black and white polyethylene gives a double effect. White reflects the sun's rays, while black absorbs. Their combination in a film is used as a mulch for plants and to accelerate fruit ripening. The dark side is laid on the surface of the ground to prevent the appearance of weeds, not to allow moisture to evaporate. The light surface promotes active photosynthesis for the growing season of crops.