Not many people know, but in the near pine forest is an indispensable tool for any gardener - sphagnum moss. It must have seen anyone who ever went to pick mushrooms. Low thickets of green plant shrouded entire fields.
Sphagnum is widely used gardeners for many purposes. For its well-groomed appearance is often used in landscaping and for unique antiseptic properties - as fertilizing and fertilizers.
This article focuses only on the sphagnum moss. Do not confuse it with other kinds of moss and creeping forest vegetation.
The unique sphagnum?
Sphagnum has many outstanding properties, but we are only interested in two main:
- The unique ability to absorb moisture. It is a small plant can absorb water in 10 times its weight;
- Moss contains a powerful natural antiseptic - sfagnol. It inhibits the action of the majority of bacteria, including, prevents rotting and decay.
Where to find sphagnum?
Moss is available every gardener in unlimited quantities. Just visit the nearest pine forest and find a swamp. It will certainly be filled with sphagnum moss.
Pull moss completely not worth enough to cut with scissors the top runners. The best time to harvest - autumn.
After collecting moss need scalded with boiling water and put out to dry. To do this, fit ventilated areas or sunny, dry room. After drying, the moss can be folded into bags for storage.
We now proceed directly to the use of moss in the garden.
1. To decorate the portion
Because of the well-groomed appearance, sphagnum moss is often used in landscape design. They can pave the flower beds, paths and alpine gardens. It is used as a separator between the decorative bed.
From a distance, the moss looks like a manicured lawn. But, unlike grass, it does not require constant attention. Sphagnum is a very practical ornamental plants.
2. As fertilizers
Sphagnum is often mixed with fertile soil. This is especially true during transplanting. Moss disinfects the ground, as well as improves its structure - drainage and ventilation.
Note that the moss can acidify the soil.
3. As mulch
Moss is perfect for mulching beds of strawberries, winter garlic, blueberries and strawberries. He slightly acidify the soil, as well as help avoid botrytis. In addition, this mulch looks neat and well-groomed.
Mulching sphagnum can be any culture, who love acidic soil. No contraindications have no moss.
4. As fertilizing
Tinctures based on the moss can be fed all vegetable crops. In its composition, they have a number of nutrients, but also have an antiseptic effect.
Allowed as the root watering and treatment of leaves, stems.
5. Improving soil structure
Moss can be used to improve soil structure. Adding sphagnum can increase water retention and improve air circulation.
6. As disinfection
Sphagnum moss is used as a protection of bulbs of certain plants, such as gladioli. Before planting the bulbs, wrap a thin layer of moss and the infection will pass them by. In addition, the soil will become fertile around through proper ventilation.
Do not be afraid that the moss will delay a lot of moisture and bulbs rot. It will not happen.
7. To store vegetables
Moss can be used as a layer between the layers of vegetables during storage time. He will be an excellent alternative to sawdust or sand.
Before applying, it is necessary to dry and go through.
8. As mulch for flower Goroshkov
Sphagnum is also suitable for mulching of the soil in flower pots. Layer of moss not only looks good, but also help get rid of many diseases and a number of pests.
I hope these simple tips will help you to make the site more beautiful and harvest more and healthier.
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