Pine needles is an excellent fertilizer, mulch, and even an assistant in storing vegetables. It costs nothing and is accessible to any gardener in unlimited quantities. (Just visit the nearest pine forest)
In this article, we will focus on the most popular and effective methods of needle use in the horticultural sector.
1. Creating a "warm" beds
If you have not tried to do "warm" beds - a must try. Their productivity by an order higher than the rest, and transplanting period for 15-25 days earlier.
Done "warm" bed in autumn in several stages.
- At the site, where it will be "warm" bed remove the soil depth of 30-40 cm. (To get a square the size of a future deepening of a bed);
- The bottom of the recesses go to sleep with a thick layer of pine needles, richly sprinkled on top of pure wood ash;
- On top of the ash layer has to go mullein, or other similar properties of the manure;
- Manure form the top of the thick layer of weeds (without roots and seed boxes) or topper;
- Fall asleep on top fertile soil. The layer thickness should be not less than 20 cm;
- Shed bed of any microbiological fertilizer;
- Close the dense waterproof fabric or film.
Our bed is ready. Seedlings planted in spring holes in the film.
2. mulching
Pine needles make great mulch that prevents weeds, as well as excellent moisture holding back. 3-cm layer of needles capable of preventing the evaporation of water even in the dry summer day.
There is another plus. Since needles decay very slowly, the mulch does not have to be changed frequently, which greatly saves time and effort.
3. Storage of vegetables
Among the dry pine needles can be permanently preserve carrots, potatoes, beets and many other vegetables.
We fall asleep bottom of the box for storing a 3-cm layer of dry pine needles, and decompose the fruit so that they do not touch each other. Next pour another layer and again decompose needles fruit. Thus it is possible to make 5-6 layers.
If the storage you make too many layers, the vegetables begin to crumple under its own weight. This will inevitably lead to their deterioration.
4. As compost
Since the process of rotting pine needles takes quite a long time (4 years), They are rarely used as compost. And very much in vain. After all, knowing the little tricks decay period can be reduced by 2-3 times, which makes needles excellent compost feedstock.
To do this, the compost pit with needles need to add cow dung, various kitchen scraps, old tops and weeds.
Before you throw the weeds in the compost pit, tear off their roots. Otherwise, they will start to germinate.
Next, the entire contents of the pit should be good to shed microbiological fertilizer and tightly cover with foil.
Over the next year you should periodically remove the foil and aerate the compost future. The process can be accelerated if, during the rotting pit re-shedding microbiological fertilizers.
That's the indispensable tool can become ordinary needles.
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