Good afternoon, my reader. It is important to preserve perennial crops throughout the winter season. For this purpose, the plantings are often covered with a layer of mulch. If necessary, collect the necessary material in the forest. Such organic matter not only saves plants, but also helps to improve the structure and nutritional value of the soil.
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Application of fallen leaves
In the autumn, with active leaf fall, it is worth going to the forest for mulching material with a dense bag made of natural breathable canvas and a rake. It is not recommended to use synthetic containers, as they do not allow air to pass through, which causes debate about organics.
Fallen maple, oak, birch, linden foliage is collected in elevated open places, dry glades. After transferring to the site, scatter it to dry under the sun. If there is a danger of rain, provide a canopy. The use of leaves suggests several directions.
Preparing plants for winter
It is an excellent hiding place for wintering perennials. Dry foliage is laid in loose layers, which ensures good body preservation. It is believed that this is a more reliable covering material than sawdust, shavings, and straw.
In late autumn, leaves are scattered in a thick layer on the surface of the ridge, leveled with a rake. Roofing material, plastic wrap or burlap folded in several layers is thrown over and strengthened.
If berry or ornamental shrubs require protection, then after pruning, the stems are carefully bent and pinned to the ground. From above, they are completely covered with foliage. To prevent freezing of surface roots, mulch is also laid under the branches directly on the soil.
In early spring, after the snow cover melts, it is recommended to remove the leaves from the branches and lay them on the ground. Such a layer will serve as an obstacle to the development of weeds, and also saturates the soil with useful compounds when overheated.
Experienced gardeners believe that forest deciduous plants cannot serve as a source of infection for cultivated species, so you should not be afraid of using this material. Some leaves, such as aspen, oak, maple, inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms and repel harmful insects, due to the presence of a large amount of tannins in the composition.
Improving soil fertility
Fallen leaves collected from the forest serve as an excellent base for the preparation of organic fertilizers.
Fill the compost pit with the collected material in the fall. If this device is absent on the site, then foliage is piled up, choosing a convenient place. Organic matter is poured with a solution of mineral fertilizers (they take a full complex) or slurry. The mixture is shoveled. By the spring, organic matter is already overheating, saturating with microelements important for plants. Such loose humus is distributed over the site before digging.
Mulching plantings
Dried foliage is appreciated as a quality mulching material. It is packed in bags and left in the barn until spring.
If necessary, cover the onion or garlic beds with a layer of leaves. Used for mulching tomatoes, berry bushes, roses, clematis.
Application of moss, needles
It is not only foliage that can be harvested in the forest. Needles will come in handy at their summer cottage. It is added when digging into heavy loamy soil in order to improve the structure and increase fertility.
Coniferous dry needles are used as a covering material for wintering perennial crops. A layer of needles mulch will help slow down the appearance of weeds.
If possible, moss is harvested in swampy areas. It is well dried and crushed. This material repels harmful insects, reduces the acidity of the soil, perfectly absorbs and retains moisture, therefore it is used for mulching. In addition, the loose, breathable structure of the moss allows it to well protect the roots and plantings from hypothermia.
If there is a forest next to the summer cottage, then you should use its gifts. Leaves, moss, needles will be great helpers in saving plantings from the winter cold, and will also improve soil fertility.
Do you know how to increase soil fertility in your summer cottage?
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