HOW TO CHOOSE A COVERING MATERIAL

Professional summer residents, as well as beginners in this business, probably know how difficult it is to take care of the garden. Weeds, scorching sun and various diseases kill a large enough part of the future crop, so the issue of its preservation is becoming increasingly important. For example, do you know how to cover the beds to protect them from the negative influence of the environment? Not? Then this article is for you.

Polyethylene film

The most famous and long-used material is plastic film. Where it is just not used: in everyday life, industry and even during dacha-gardening work, because it has long been the main material for creating a greenhouse (different versions of such a film have different properties).

For example, in the manufacture of a light-stabilized film, a UV light-stabilizer is added to its composition, which helps protect the polymer coating from the negative effects of the sun. The level of stability of such a material is determined by the amount of stabilizer added. In addition, the dye is often added to the film, which can change the spectrum of sunlight.

Important! The polyethylene film can retain heat well and retain moisture without disturbing the structure and strength of the soil. Also, thanks to her, she manages to protect the soil from washing out fertilizers, which means that the harvest will be early.

A very interesting variant of this covering material for the garden is black and white film, in which one side is black and the other is white. It is great for use in greenhouses, where it is covered with earth with the white side up, which contributes to the reflection of excess sunlight. At the same time, the black side does not allow weeds to germinate between healthy crops.

The uniqueness of the plastic film in the construction of greenhouses is manifested in a high level of strength and resistance to mechanical stress. It is possible to achieve such a high level of practicality due to a special technology for the manufacture of material, when a reinforcing mesh is placed in a three-layer film between the layers.

The structure of the reinforced film also often includes UV stabilizers, which allow not only to evenly distribute the rays of the sun, but also to extend the life of the film itself. Due to this fact, it is becoming increasingly popular.

Did you know? Polyethylene is a random discovery that German engineer Hans von Pechmann encountered in 1899.

Among other advantages of the polyethylene film, it is impossible not to distinguish a good light transmission ability, the ability to retain heat and protect plants from frost and precipitation.

At the same time to disadvantages of application should include the possibility of operation only paired with a frame base, the inability to pass moisture and air (you have to regularly water and air the plants, which increases labor costs) and the likelihood of plant diseases, which is due to the accumulation of a large amount of condensate on the inside of the film.

In addition, after precipitation, if water accumulates on it, the film may sag. Usually the average polyethylene material is enough for one season, although you can try extend its service life by removing, washing and thorough drying before the next dacha season.

Non Woven Polypropylene Fiber

Nonwoven covering material for beds (including for the winter) - This is an environmentally friendly product, the production of which polypropylene fibers are glued under the influence of high temperatures. Externally, non-woven materials are similar to polyethylene film, but their quality characteristics are still different.

First of all, This material is much lighter and softer than polyethylene, and they can cover the plants without support, simply by throwing the canvas on top. In addition, a comparative advantage is the ability to pass moisture and air, thanks to which it is possible to water plants without removing their cover.

Depending on the level of density, non-woven polypropylene fiber can be divided into several types:

17-30 g / m2 - material that can protect seedlings in the open field from the strong scorching sun and spring night frosts, and good permeability of water, air and light, coupled with excellent thermal conductivity, helps plants to create the best conditions for their growth and development.
Another indisputable advantage of using this material as a shelter for a greenhouse is a good level of protection against birds and insects. Thanks to this material with a density of 17-30 g / sq.m, they also cover vegetables, bushes, berries, fruits and ornamental plants, which in most cases grow on open soil.
42-60 g / sq.m - It is perfect in cases where the construction of a greenhouse with arcs is planned, and it is necessary to provide winter shelter to the plants.

60 g / m2 - dense non-woven material "for the lazy", the benefits of the use of which fully pays for its market value.
At the stage of production of non-woven polypropylene fiber, some companies may add in its composition a UV stabilizer designed to extend the life of the product.
The addition of carbon black gives nonwovens a black color that helps absorb sunlight, so that the plants under shelter receive more heat, and weeds hidden from the sun quickly die.
Typically, black material is more commonly used as mulch, and white is stretched onto frames to protect the garden. The structure of the material allows it to perfectly pass moisture, so irrigation and application of liquid fertilizers is not difficult.

Among the variety of nonwoven covering materials presented today it is very difficult to choose a suitable option. However, don't forget that the essence of all of them is almost the same, and the differences lie only in proprietary production technologies and, of course, in price.

The most popular option in the domestic market is spunbond (non-woven material made from polymer melt spunbond), whose name actually became a household name for covering materials.

Therefore, it is so difficult for the owners of the dacha plots to make a decision: spunbond or agrospan (nonwoven covering material with an extended service life).

Covering material mulch

Mulch covering material (or simply "mulch") - This is an organic or inorganic product, which is often used for gardening purposes.

Organic option it is distinguished by the possibility of gradual rotting, as a result of which the soil is supplied with useful substances (its characteristics are improved and acidity changes). Considering the change in the acid reaction of the soil, it is necessary to use organic mulch with extreme caution.

In the same time inorganic mulching material which can be presented in the form of stone, slate, gravel, crushed stone, granite and marble chips, in addition to the main purpose, also performs a decorative function.

As mulch in the garden often use black and color film, which can be combined with decorative plantings.

Of course, only in the case of a competent combination with decorative organic and inorganic mulch (for example, a good combination gives a nonwoven covering material on the bottom and the bark of the tree above) you can get the most effective result.

In general, mulching agrofibre refers to non-woven polypropylene materials, which, although not harmful to people, animals and the plants themselves, do not leave any chance to weeds dying from a lack of light. The density of this type of "fabric" (for the greenhouse is used quite rarely) is 50-60 g / sq.m.

The method of application of the mulch covering material is as follows: having waited until the soil dries out after winter, it must be prepared for planting. After that, black agrofibre is spread throughout the beds, which should prevent the germination of weeds.

Young seedlings of useful crops are planted in cruciform slits, previously created in a covering sheet using any cutting object. Thus, both amateur gardeners and farmers who are engaged in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables save themselves from having to use herbicides in weed control.

In addition, you no longer need to disappear for a long time at the dacha plots, spending a lot of effort on weeding the vegetable garden. There will simply be no weeds on it, and healthy crops growing in even rows will be able to delight you with rapid maturation.

Strawberries are usually planted on the mulch covering material. It is much easier to grow it this way, because for three years you can not think about plant transplantation, and the weeds are much less.

Important! As practice shows, the earth under the film remains more friable than under the non-woven material.

It is easy to explain this phenomenon: during the rainy season, even a berry growing on such a nonwoven product absorbs much more moisture than from the ground. It turns out that it matures much faster than in normal conditions. Moreover, the entire large crop remains absolutely clean.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate coating - the best alternative to a film for shelter of greenhouses. This reliable material is able to protect all plants from rain, wind and bacteria, creating excellent conditions for the growth and development of healthy crops. In fact, Polycarbonate is a sheet plastic, having inside the cavity, something similar to the axle "honeycomb". It is much lighter than a solid product and does not have a characteristic odor, and the sheets are distinguished by a high level of strength.

Did you know?Compared with glass, a sheet of cellular polycarbonate weighs 16 times less, and if compared with acrylic, its weight will be three times less.

It is also necessary to note the resistance to burning and the excellent plasticity of this material, and the transparent polycarbonate can also transmit up to 92% of the sun's rays. Often, when creating polycarbonate sheets, UV stabilizers are added to the mixture, which only increases the operational life of the described material.

Standard sizes of polycarbonate sheets manufactured today have the following meaning: 2.1 x 2 m, 2.1 x 6 m and 2.1 x 12 m, and their thickness can vary from 3.2 mm to 3.2 cm.

If you need bright polycarbonate, or you prefer more discreet tones, in any case, you will not have problems with the choice, since manufacturers today offer a fairly wide palette of shades.

As for the structure, the harder it is, the better the material will be able to protect plants from snow and wind. Polycarbonate greenhouse is easy to assemble and will be able to please you for a long time with its reliability.

Grid

By covering materials can be attributed, and shading the grid. Of course, this is not a fabric for a greenhouse, but made of polypropylene with the addition of a UV stabilizer, it is also able to protect agricultural plants well from the scorching sun.

Most stores have green options, but you can also find neutral white. The size of the grid is made to order, but its width is always standard and corresponds to 4 m. Often, these nets are used to pick fruits when they are simply spread out under the trees.

Whatever it was, but the main criterion for the choice of a covering material is your expectations and the desired effect from the application. For example, if it is necessary to protect plants from returnable frosts, you should pay attention to white spunbond or film, while black materials are well suited for mulching.

Moreover, much depends on the financial side of the issue, although if you are engaged in growing crops on an ongoing basis, it is better to spend money once to buy a better product than to spend money on purchasing and installing a new shelter every year.