Fresh pine sawdust and cabbage. Mulching with sawdust

Mulching with sawdust protects the crops in the beds from drying out in summer and freezing in winter. Mulch retains moisture, maintains temperature and inhibits weed growth. In the article we will look at how to make mulch, what advantages and disadvantages this method has.

Features of mulching with sawdust

There are a lot organic materials for mulching. Due to development Agriculture Sawdust is more often used for mulching. Despite its cheapness, the material brings great benefits. Sawdust is used both in winter and summer. They prevent crop roots from freezing. It is enough to lay them out on the beds and compact them. To prevent sawdust from fluttering in the wind, cow manure is added to the mulch.

The soil is mulched for the winter in mid-October or early November. A layer of up to 3 cm is laid on the beds. But mulching with sawdust is not suitable for all plants and types of soil. Be careful with oak and pine sawdust! Under different cultures select the thickness of the mulch layer:

for tulips, garlic and onions it is 6 cm;
for strawberries and carrots – up to 4-5 cm.

Mulch is not removed from strawberry and wild strawberry beds all year round.

Hay and straw are similar in their characteristics to sawdust. " We present in the table the features of mulching with different organic materials.

Material	Features of application
Sawdust	Suitable for bulbs (flowers and vegetables), strawberries, carrots, beets and berry bushes.
Straw	Like sawdust, it takes a long time to rot, so it is used for early crops. The layer reaches 10-15 cm.
Compost	Suitable for all vegetable crops.
Grass (hay)	Rots quickly and saturates the soil nutrients. Grass or hay is laid in a layer of 4-6 cm.
Fallen leaves	Suitable for cabbage and beans. Also cover flower beds for the winter.

There are several approaches to mulching the soil. Mulching according to Kuznetsov has its own characteristics:

The row spaces are covered with a thick layer of sawdust to prevent the growth of weeds.
Biocompost is added to the beds themselves. If the soil is clayey, then sand is added.
As the crops grow, sawdust is added between the rows, the beds themselves are loosened and biocompost is regularly added.
The berry fields are covered with a layer of sawdust and mulch is added regularly.
Sawdust can be applied on top of the manure, which will retain moisture.

To loosen the soil, improve its structure and accelerate decomposition organic fertilizers It’s worth throwing earthworms into the ridges. Alexander Kuznetsov refutes the opinion that sawdust, like mulch, adds to the soil, because it is applied on top of the soil. It is not sawdust that acidifies the soil, but the mushrooms that destroy it.

Sawdust is placed tightly between rows in vegetable beds.

Advantages and disadvantages of mulching

Sawdust is reliable means for warming crops. Mulch protects roots from freezing in winter and rotting in autumn. In summer, sawdust is used to prevent overheating of the soil and moisture retention. The advantages of sawdust as mulch are as follows:

Cheapness.
As they decompose, they turn into organic fertilizers and loosen the soil.
Retains moisture in the soil.
They retain heat and prevent the soil from freezing, but at the same time allow air to pass through and allow crop roots to breathe.
Protect crops from diseases. Sawdust, especially coniferous ones, do not allow the development of pathogenic microorganisms. They are not liked by slugs and other pests.
Protect ripening berries from rotting and pests.
Cure from fungal diseases.
Protect roots from sudden temperature changes.
Pine sawdust protects carrots from carrot flies.
Hiding in the mulch beneficial insects and microorganisms live that improve the structure of the soil and loosen it.

Sawdust is a natural mulch that supports the growth and development of beneficial microorganisms to improve soil structure.

Mulching with sawdust has its disadvantages. Large sawdust rots within several years. This takes a lot of nitrogen, as a result of which the plants that grow in such beds are deficient in this nutrient. Their growth and development worsens.

Fresh sawdust increases the acidity of the soil, which affects the development of crops. Coniferous sawdust inhibits the development of pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms. The latter process organic substances that are necessary for plant nutrition.

When to use sawdust on beds

Sawdust is suitable for poor soil. They enrich the soil, activate the growth and ripening of fruits. Under a layer of mulch root system protected, she gets everything minerals and moisture. Mulching is carried out after the shoots have grown. As a result of this, the earth does not dry out, a crust does not appear on the surface, and the soil remains loose.

Winter mulching is necessary to protect crop roots. Mulch protects plants from temperature changes until spring. Used for bushes, trees, winter crops and berries. In dry areas, mulching with sawdust is especially important for tomatoes. To protect the roots from overheating, all that remains is to cover the soil with mulch. "

In the summer, vegetable beds with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and beets are filled with sawdust. This prevents crops from drying out.

Mulching strawberries has many advantages:

Productivity increases.
The berries are protected from pests and rotting.
Due to the lack of contact with the ground, the berries are clean and dry.
Weed growth is stopped.

Tip #1. Mulch the potato beds. After hilling, the furrows are sprinkled. A layer of mulch retains moisture and stops weed growth. Productivity increases, the effect is especially noticeable during dry summers.

Mulching trees and shrubs

Sawdust is used to cover the roots of trees and shrubs for the winter. This type of shelter is considered the most reliable. Large sawdust as a heat-insulating material is buried in holes when planting grapes and flowering bushes. They reliably protect against frost.

A large layer of sawdust is poured around the tree trunk.

Sawdust mulching is suitable for the following garden crops:

fruit trees;
shrubs (raspberries and black currants);
grapes;
clematis.

Raspberries respond especially well to mulching. Sawdust helps increase fruiting and improves the taste characteristics of berries. With annual mulching with raspberry sawdust, the bushes can be grown without replanting for up to 10 years. In winter, the vines of grapes and climbing flowers that are on the ground are covered with sawdust along their entire length. This is done in late autumn, otherwise mice will infest the mulch and damage the crop.

Tip #2. Before mulching, it is advisable to apply nitrogen fertilizers.

Sometimes an air cover is made for such crops. Boxes are made from boards and the plants are covered with them, sawdust is covered on top, covered with film and a layer of earth is poured. There is a wet cover with sawdust for the winter, when the mulch is not covered with anything. But this method is suitable for some crops, for example, roses rot under such cover.

Sawdust is one type of mulch that can be used in greenhouses. Cultures do not rot and spoil. They are used to enrich manure and plant waste. They speed up decomposition organic fertilizers, the compost is loose and breathable.

Mulch is added to greenhouses in spring or autumn. It is better to apply sawdust in combination with other components. This mixture is laid in the ridges in the fall. You can make compost:

200 kg of sawdust;
50 kg of manure;
100 kg of grass;
30 kg of food waste.

For greenhouses, sawdust can be placed in ridges in combination with straw or hay.

In the spring, the soil is mulched when intensive crop growth begins. In greenhouses, during heavy watering, a crust often forms on the surface of the soil, and the soil around the roots is washed away. In this case, it is necessary to mulch the soil. In addition, mulching reduces the watering rate and prevents overheating of the root system of crops in the greenhouse.

Tip #3. A greenhouse measuring 3x6 m will require six bags of pine sawdust. The mulch is spread in a layer of 5-7 cm between the rows and around the stems of the crops.

How to mulch beds in winter

In winter, the beds are mulched with a mixture of sawdust, manure and plants. The thickness of the layer depends on the type of soil. On clay soils it reaches 5 cm, and on sandy soils – 10 cm. When mulching, adhere to the following recommendations:

Mulch is never removed under berry bushes. The earth is loosened along with sawdust. In the absence of chemical fertilizers, mulch is mixed with manure and applied in the fall. This prevents the accumulation of nitrates in fruits.
If you put a large layer of mulch on heavy soils, rotting will begin.
Be sure to mulch the soil in the summer or at the end of spring after planting seedlings. The mulch is thoroughly crushed and placed around the gathering place. The results of mulching are noticeable after 3-4 years, since sawdust decomposes slowly.

Answers to frequently asked questions about mulching

Question No. 1. What sawdust is best to use for mulching?

There are sawdust different sizes and from different breeds trees. Depending on their properties, they are used in various areas of horticulture. Let's list them in the table.

Type of sawdust	Application area
Medium-sized gray-brown semi-rotted sawdust	They are the best for mulching. vegetable beds.
Large sawdust	Used to cover the roots of trees, strawberries and shrubs.
fine sawdust	Suitable for covering young shoots with thin stems.
Fresh sawdust	Suitable for mulching strawberries and wild strawberries.
Sawdust from coniferous species trees	Used for carrots.

Question No. 2. For what crops is sawdust used?

Sawdust is suitable for mulching vegetable crops that grow in beds. They are used for greenhouses and garden plots. Mulch trees and shrubs, including roses. Strawberries and strawberries take sawdust well. "

Mulching garden strawberries with sawdust on a ridge

Question No. 3. Which crops are best used for? pine sawdust?

Coniferous sawdust contains phenolic resins that protect against diseases and pests. They are suitable for covering crops for the winter, such as garlic.

Question No. 4. Is it necessary to mulch the soil in greenhouses?

Yes. The fertility of the soil improves, the soil does not overheat, the irrigation rate decreases, and moisture evaporates more slowly. Crops are even watered cold water, while it passes through the sawdust, it will warm up. The preservation of fruits, taste qualities are improved and the ripening period is accelerated.

Question No. 5. What is the time frame for adding mulch?

Late spring or early summer is suitable for mulching, when the earth warms up and crop sprouts appear. Before mulching, the soil is fertilized, loosened and watered abundantly. A layer of mulch of at least 5 cm. In summer, mulch is added as the layer decreases.

Gardeners make mulching mistakes

We offer common mistakes that gardeners make when mulching with sawdust:

It is important to choose the right size and type of sawdust. The younger the seedlings and thinner the sprouts, the smaller the chips are taken. But sawdust similar to wood flour is not used at all. It turns into a dense crust on the soil surface that does not allow water to pass through.
Large sawdust rots for several years. They are not suitable for vegetable beds. Use shavings for trees and shrubs.
Before applying mulch to the beds, nitrogen fertilizers must be used, otherwise the growth and development of crops will slow down.
Rotted sawdust is used. Fresh ones increase the acidity of the soil, which negatively affects the development of crops.
Don't rush into mulching. If you add sawdust to unheated soil, this will affect the growth and development of crops.

IN household, especially when construction work, sawdust accumulates - waste from carpentry work. Some young owners, not realizing what invaluable material for gardening fell into their hands, immediately throw the waste into the fire, and then scatter the ash, like fertilizer, throughout the garden. Indeed, where can you use sawdust, how to use it, and is it worth the candle? I hasten to reassure readers. There are many ways to use sawdust in gardening. They just need to be used correctly. Let's try to figure out where and how sawdust is used.

Sawdust for use in the garden. © Bills Garden Tips

What is sawdust?

Sawdust is waste from sawing wood and other materials (plywood, panels, etc.). Sawdust material is quite lightweight. Bulk density sawdust is 100 kg per 1 m³ and 1 ton contains 9-10 m³ of raw materials at a standard humidity of 8-15% (Table 1). This material is very convenient to use.

Table 1. Bulk density of sawdust

Characteristics of sawdust composition

The chemical composition of sawdust is characterized the following content chemical elements:

50% carbon:
44% oxygen:
6% hydrogen%
0.1% nitrogen.

In addition, wood contains about 27% lignin, which gives trees their lignified density, and at least 70% hemicellulose (practically, carbohydrates).

Natural organic material, when decomposed in the soil, provides elements necessary for plants. 1 m³ of sawdust contains 250 g of calcium, 150-200 g of potassium, 20 g of nitrogen, about 30 g of phosphorus. Some types of sawdust (mostly coniferous) contain resinous substances in the wood, which negatively affect the growth and development of plants.

Sawdust is a sterile substrate and when it gets into the soil it is immediately populated by microflora. Provided with organic material, the microflora uses nutrients from wood and soil to decompose sawdust, depleting the latter with the necessary nutrients (the same nitrogen and phosphorus).

The composition of sawdust made from natural wood does not cause allergies and does not emit harmful emissions when burned. But you need to keep in mind that the above composition characterizes natural wood, the qualities of which are determined by the composition of sawdust. Sawdust as waste from artificially produced wood boards impregnated with adhesives and varnishes cannot be used in gardening.

Types of sawdust and their uses

Sawdust is named according to the main type of tree crop: birch, linden, oak, chestnut, pine, aspen, coniferous, etc.

All types of sawdust (any tree species) can be used on the farm. But first you need to reduce their negative impact on soil components using various methods.

This is the most accessible and inexpensive raw material, which has a wide range of applications in personal farming. Sawdust is used in the construction of outbuildings, for insulation of walls, floors and in other cases of construction.

But the most valuable use of sawdust is in gardening work:

To improve the physical condition of the soil for planting garden or berry crops.
As one of the components of compost preparation.
How to use it for mulching vegetable, flower and garden crops.
Sawdust has low thermal conductivity and can be used as insulation for heat-loving plants (roses, young southern fruit crops, exotics in cold regions).
Sawdust is an indispensable component when preparing warm beds.
As a covering material for paths to prevent them from becoming overgrown with weeds.

Methods of using sawdust

Improving the physical properties of the soil

Chernozem soils, clayey and loamy soils are dense and heavy. Most garden plants prefer soil that is light, loose, air- and water-permeable. Improve high-quality composition such soils can be added up to 50% of the volume of the soil mass of sawdust when preparing greenhouse substrates or preparing soil mixtures for growing seedlings.

To prevent sawdust from reducing fertility, before applying it, it is mixed with semi-rotted manure or mineral fertilizers, a solution of urea or mullein are added.

Making compost using sawdust

Preparing compost eliminates all the negative properties of sawdust (depletion of soil nutrients, reduced oxidizing properties, reduced effect of resinous substances, etc.).

Compost can be prepared in two ways:

receive fast or aerobic compost (with air access), which will be ready for use in 1.0-2.0 months;
anaerobic compost (without air access); this preparation process is longer (3-6 months depending on the components used), but with this method the nutritional value of organic matter is preserved.

Sawdust compost. © Rocky Mountain Compost

Aerobic method of preparing compost

With this method, you can prepare sawdust-mineral, sawdust-organic and sawdust-mixed compost.

For sawdust-mineral compost, 1.25 kg of urea, 0.4 kg of superphosphate (double) and 0.75 kg of potassium sulfate are added to 50 kg (0.5 m³) of sawdust. Fertilizers are dissolved in warm water and shed sawdust, constantly stirring it or laying it in layers. Each layer is spilled with the prepared solution. During the composting period, the compost heap is stirred to increase air access, which will accelerate the fermentation of sawdust organic matter.
To prepare sawdust-organic compost, chicken droppings or manure are needed. Organic matter is added to sawdust at a ratio of 1:1 (by weight) and for fermentation it is mixed with sawdust or laid in layers. During fermentation, the pile is aerated with a pitchfork (fluffed).
To prepare sawdust-mixed compost, sawdust-mineral compost is first laid and after a month of fermentation, manure or chicken droppings are added. Manure is added in a ratio of 1:1, and chicken manure is 2 times less (1:0.5).

Remember that for fast fermentation, loose laying is necessary, without compaction. Air will flow freely into such a compost heap, which will accelerate the decomposition of the compost components.

If composts are laid in the spring, then by autumn they will ripen and be ready for digging. Such composts can be applied half-baked, after 3-4 weeks. They are not yet fertilizer, but have already lost their properties negative impact on soil and plants.

When digging, add 1-2 buckets of ready-made compost, depending on the condition of the soil.

Anaerobic method of preparing compost

With the anaerobic method, the compost heap is prepared over time, gradually adding components. IN compost pit 50 cm deep, lay in layers of 15-25 cm various crushed organic matter (leaves, branches, unseeded weeds, sawdust, manure, tops from the garden, waste food production etc.). Each layer is sprinkled with one or two shovels of soil and spilled with a fertilizer solution. Add up to 100 g of nitrophoska to a bucket of solution.

Unlike the first (aerobic) method, all components are compacted well to reduce air access. In this case, fermentation is carried out by anaerobic microflora. After laying the compost heap is completed, it is covered with film or a layer of grass. Fermentation lasts 4-6 months. Anaerobic compost is more “nutritious” and all types of waste (including coarse branches) are used for its preparation.

When preparing composts, the optimal humidity of the compost heap should be 50-60%, temperature +25...+30°C.

Mulching shrubs with sawdust. © nwfruit

Mulching the soil with sawdust

Mulching translated into Russian means covering, shelter.

Benefits of use sawdust mulch:

Sawdust mulch is a cheap natural material for improving the physical properties of the soil;
she saves upper layer from overheating in hot weather;
good insulation. Protects the soil from freezing and at the same time allows air to pass freely, preventing the development of putrefactive fungal and bacterial infections;
mulch from pine sawdust promotes easy oxidation of the soil, which is important for a number of crops, especially flowers: begonias, pelargoniums, ivy, ficus, cyclamen, citrus fruits and others;
protects ripening berries in contact with the soil from rotting and pests (slugs).

Disadvantages of sawdust mulch

The negative properties of sawdust appear when used incorrectly:

in its pure form, this raw material takes 8-10 years to rot, using soil nutrients for fermentation;
when using sawdust to prepare composts, the temperature rises very quickly;
Raw materials with constant application increase the acidity of the soil.

Ways to use sawdust mulch

Only paths and other surfaces free of plant crops are covered with clean sawdust. For example: row spacing, paths, tree trunk circles in the garden.

Light-colored mulch reflects the sun's rays, which reduces heating of the top layer of soil.

As it shrinks, add clean mulch to the rows and paths. A layer of untreated mulch of 6-8 cm, constantly renewed, prevents the growth of weeds.

Mulch retains moisture well in the soil and on the surface. Long time keeps the top layer moist, protecting it from drying out and cracking.

Mulch is used as bedding for berry plants, whose crop spreads along the ground (for example: under strawberries, wild strawberries).

Mulch the soil around the perimeter of the crown of garden crops. You can use clean (untreated) sawdust - against increased weed growth and compost as an organic fertilizer.

The soil under plants should only be mulched with treated sawdust.

In rows with plants and under fruit bushes, only treated mulch (mature or semi-raw compost) is always added.

During the growing season, feed the plants on top of the sawdust. The applied fertilizers contribute to their faster overheating.

After harvesting, perform autumn work directly over the mulch: dig up the soil with preliminary application mineral fertilizers and organics.

Mulching beds with sawdust. © Nikki

Using sawdust mulch to prepare high and warm beds

High warm beds prepared on any site (rocky, gravelly, with high groundwater levels).

Warm beds (low, above ground) are placed on cold soils, as well as for obtaining earlier heat-loving vegetables and growing seedlings.

In such beds they ripen faster vegetable crops, they suffer less from fungal rot and are affected by pests.

The beds are prepared in the usual way:

a “drainage” layer of thick branches and other waste is laid under the base;
the second layer is filled with sawdust and spilled with urea solution;
sprinkle with any soil, literally a few shovels;
the next layer is laid out from any other organic matter - straw, manure, chopped weeds, leaf litter;
each layer has a thickness of 10-15 cm, and the total height of the bed is at the discretion of the owner;
usually a thermal cushion made from organic waste is laid at a height of 50-60 cm;
all the layers are shed hot water, better with a solution of urea or any organic matter (manure, bird droppings);
cover with black film; warming up usually lasts a week;
after the temperature of active fermentation has decreased, the film is removed and a layer of soil is laid out.

The high bed is surrounded by a fence to prevent it from falling apart. Ordinary warm beds are buried 25-30 cm into the soil or prepared directly on the soil, removing the topmost fertile layer (10-15 cm).

If it is necessary to quickly warm up the bed, use sawdust mixed with a small amount of lime and ash, and spill it with a hot urea solution. You can prepare a mixture of sawdust and manure. Gardeners also use other, their own methods of heating the soil of a warm bed.

Mulching garden paths with sawdust. © Jason Dingley

Sawdust as insulation and covering material

Sawdust is a good insulation material for young seedlings and heat-loving crops.

When planting heat-loving crops (grapes, various vines) on the bottom in cold regions landing pit pour large sawdust mixed with small wood chips (as drainage). They will serve as a heat insulator against deep cold.
You can stuff it with sawdust (with a light tamper) plastic bags or bags and cover the roots and shoots of young plants on all sides before the onset of a steady cold snap.
You can cover the vines of grapes, clematis, raspberries and other plants bent to the ground with sawdust along the entire length. Cover the top with film and press down or dig in from gusts of wind. Such a shelter is prepared just before the frosts, so that mice, other rodents and pests do not make warm winter “apartments” for themselves in the sawdust.
A warm shelter can be prepared for rose bushes, other heat-loving crops and young fruit seedlings in the form wooden frames. Sprinkle sawdust on top of the frame. Place soil on the sawdust and cover it with film. The result will be a primitive dugout or a warm hillock. If sawdust is poured inside the panels and the panel cladding is covered with film, the bushes will survive the winter well. In the spring, the bushes need to be freed from sawdust so that when the snow melts, water does not get inside and the lower part of the plants does not begin to rot. Sawdust should not be left exposed. They will become saturated with moisture, freeze into one lump, and the plants under such cover will die.

The article provides only a small list of the use of sawdust in the garden and vegetable garden. Write about your ways of using sawdust. Your experience will be gratefully used by our readers, especially beginning gardeners.

Sawdust- very valuable organic matter, whose place experienced gardener will always find.

Today we will talk about mulching beds with sawdust. And so sawdust can still be composted, covered with it garden paths, use as a substrate for growing seedlings, store vegetables (carrots, beets) and other root vegetables (for example, dahlias) in them.

Let's talk about myths.

Many gardeners shy away from sawdust because they heard somewhere that they take nitrogen from the soil!
That's all! We can't afford such a bloodsucker!
But not everything is so simple! Gardeners make a major mistake. Which one? Read on...

Do not use sawdust from chipboard or laminated chipboard under any circumstances!

A bed mulched with sawdust with garlic, tulips, peonies.

Fresh sawdust only for mulch.

On sawdust, during decomposition (rotting), microorganisms, various bacteria and fungi multiply, which use nitrogen.
But it is harmful if the sawdust is DIRECTLY in the soil! And then temporarily, after the sawdust has overheated, the borrowed nitrogen returns to its place.
If the sawdust lies ON the soil, then theoretically they cannot take anything out of it!
For reference: the air contains nitrogen - 78%, oxygen - 21%, carbon dioxide- 0.0392%, and the rest comes from other gases.
Therefore, feel free to use sawdust for mulch! And if you periodically water them with a bio-cocktail, then there will be nothing to think about at all!

What we mulch.

That's all. Sawdust can be used especially well for raspberries, garden fruit trees, flowers (tulips, roses, etc.), carrots, garlic and onions very well. We mulch the garlic in the fall to prevent it from freezing.
Very good for mulching garden strawberries. But more about this...

Mulching garden strawberries.

Strawberry is very good at this procedure.
If you have a lot of weeds in your beds and you are tired of fighting them, use this technology.
We weed out the bed. We take old newspapers and spread them between the strawberries in 2-3 layers, overlapping. Then we cover everything with sawdust, in a layer of 3-5 cm. That’s it. You can forget about weeding. After this cake has been overheated for 1.5-2 years, we repeat the procedure.

It is better to use small shavings rather than small sawdust. It cakes less, allows air to pass through better, and as a result decomposes faster.

Which sawdust is better?

As we have already said, we do not use sawdust from chipboards, etc., since they are ARTIFICIALLY impregnated with all sorts of resins and other nasty things.
The rest of the sawdust will do!
Sawdust from deciduous trees will rot faster, so if possible, we give them preference.
But softwood sawdust is also suitable.

Well, that's all in a nutshell.

We will talk about the use of sawdust when preparing compost in a separate article.

Due to its availability, sawdust has gained popularity among gardeners and is widely used in the garden. Most often, sawdust is used as fertilizer. Is it possible to mulch with sawdust? We will try to find an answer to this question in this article.

Properties of sawdust when used in mulching

Many vegetable growers do not even realize that sawdust can also be suitable for mulching or soil insulation. Sawdust can be compared to organic matter, which, when added to the soil, begins to decompose, releasing carbon, which in turn leads to the activation of microflora and an almost doubling of beneficial bacteria. Let's consider the impact of sawdust on soil and plants.

The beneficial effects of mulching with sawdust

The soil becomes loose and light.
Breathability makes it possible not to retain excess moisture.
The composition of the soil becomes similar to peat, which has a positive effect on the development of the root system of planted plants.

Harmful effects of mulching with sawdust

Rotted sawdust makes the soil more acidic, that is, it increases its acidity, and acidic soil Not suitable for all plants.
Fresh sawdust reduces the amount of nitrogen in the soil, and without nitrogen, not a single plant grows.

Experienced owners advise: if you do not know all the characteristics of the soil (namely, the acidity level), then you can try mulching one bed. This will not cause any significant losses, but in the future you will know for sure whether sawdust mulch is suitable for your area. And, if it fits, you will see that mulching with sawdust will only bring benefits. That is why many people use this material for mulching - it is cheap, easy to use and safe. You can cover with sawdust both the surface of the beds and the passages between them, as well as the tree trunk circles, the surface of the ground under raspberry, currant, gooseberry bushes, etc.

Mulching with sawdust is widely used in closed ground- in greenhouses and greenhouses. This material combines perfectly with manure, which is also used to fertilize the soil in a greenhouse, with tops and other plant residues. Such compost, flavored with sawdust, overheats faster and at the same time remains loose and breathable. However, it should be noted that with fresh manure use only fresh sawdust, and with rotted ones - accordingly, only rotted ones.

Mulching the soil with sawdust can be done both in spring and autumn. After the end of the season, sawdust can also be incorporated into the soil along with straw, fallen leaves, and mowed grass.

What sawdust can be used for mulching?

According to its structure, sawdust mulch can be of different sizes, composition and production time. In this regard, it may have some differences in properties. Based on this fact, each type of sawdust mulch should be used for its intended purpose. You cannot use sawdust from chipboard because they are artificially impregnated with all sorts of resins and other nasty things.

Sawdust from deciduous trees will rot faster, so if possible, we give them preference. But softwood sawdust is also suitable.

You should not use very small sawdust in the beds, as they can cake into lumps and form a crust on the surface of the soil.

Applying in as mulch Large sawdust contributes to the formation of a very thick and rather loose sawdust layer on the surface of the earth. It is quite difficult to compact such a layer, since the stems of plants located in it may be damaged. Therefore, the structure of sawdust mulch directly depends on the age of the plants being covered: the finer the structure of the sawdust, the younger the plant organisms being covered. Larger sawdust should not be thrown away, as it is not considered the right material. They are well suited for covering plants growing near the house for the winter. ornamental shrubs or fruit trees.

Is it possible to mulch with fresh sawdust?

Of course, you can mulch the beds with fresh sawdust, but it is preferable to use sawdust from deciduous trees. Sawdust from coniferous trees contains a lot of resinous substances, which are harmful to plants. Such sawdust can be used to mulch between rows. There is an exit. In order to harm the plants without fear, sawdust from coniferous trees should be slightly rotted, that is, “old”, having lain for about a year, but in no case moldy, rotten, or caked. To avoid any troubles with sawdust, they are treated in the same way as with manure when humus is maturing, that is, they are turned over and loosened every now and then, so that the moisture from the rain does not stagnate and a favorable environment does not arise for the development of pathogenic bacteria, mold and putrefactive fungi. Under natural conditions, the reheating procedure can take up to 10 years, so there are ways to more quickly prepare sawdust for use. The most common and in a simple way Preparation for mulching is as follows: 3 buckets of sawdust and 200 g of urea are poured onto the film and water is poured on top so that it completely wets the sawdust, then the layer is sprinkled with urea and the procedure is repeated. Thus, several layers are obtained, which are then tightly wrapped and kept in this state for two weeks. After this period, the sawdust can be used. You can scatter sawdust not only near the plant itself, but also in the aisles between plantings.

How to mulch correctly with sawdust?

Mulching the soil with sawdust should be done only after thoroughly processing the bed.

It is necessary to weed the weeds, trim the mustache and shoots (if this concerns strawberries or raspberries).

Some gardeners cover the beds with thin paper before mulching; this more thoroughly protects against the appearance of weeds.

The sawdust layer is usually from 3 to 5 centimeters.

In case of mulching with fresh sawdust It is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers. Since they oxidize the soil, it is recommended to apply them with ash. A good effect is achieved by simultaneous use of the drug Baikal EM1.

Mulching with sawdust in a greenhouse

Sawdust is one type of mulch that can be used in greenhouses. Cultures do not rot and spoil. They are used to enrich manure and plant waste. They accelerate the decomposition of organic fertilizers, the compost is loose and breathable.

Mulch is added to greenhouses in spring or autumn. It is better to apply sawdust in combination with other components. This mixture is laid in the ridges in the fall. You can make compost:

200 kg. sawdust;
50 kg. manure;
100 kg. herbs;
30 kg. food waste.

For greenhouses, sawdust can be placed in ridges in combination with straw or hay.

A greenhouse measuring 3x6 m will require six bags of pine sawdust. The mulch is spread in a layer of 5-7 cm between the rows and around the stems of the crops.

What crops can be mulched with sawdust?

Trees, shrubs, and flowers are mulched with sawdust.

This material is used to cover beds with vegetables and berries; for this, the space between the beds is sprinkled with sawdust to reduce the growth of weeds.

For decorative mulching flowers, trees or shrubs, sawdust of large fractions can be painted in various colors. This adds unique splendor to landscape design.

This type of mulch is used to grow vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and cucumbers. To increase potato yield good effect mulches the distance between plants with sawdust after hilling.

In combination with nitrogen fertilizer such a layer provides best growth crops

Mulching with sawdust is inexpensive and effective method increasing crop yields, preserving and increasing soil fertility, as well as giving the garden an aesthetic appearance.

Mulching – This agrotechnical technique , reducing moisture loss in the soil and improving the structure or composition of the soil.

In addition, mulch protects the plant from:

overheating and freezing of roots;
slugs;
weeds.

Any garden and garden plants receive nutrition and substances necessary for growth in the form of aqueous solutions, which they absorb with the help of roots.

Therefore, the lower the soil moisture, the more difficult for roots extract nutrients from the ground, so the soil must be constantly moistened.

However frequent watering often leads to the appearance of rot, so it is extremely important increase the interval between waterings and reduce the rate of water loss from the soil.

Water leaves the soil four ways:

it is consumed by plant roots;
it seeps into deep layers of soil;
it evaporates due to heating by the sun's rays;
she is carried away by the wind.

The influence of the first two points cannot be stopped or slowed down.

Therefore it remains influence water evaporation due to heat and wind. Mulch, that is, material covering the ground, reduces the intensity of soil heating and also separates the soil surface from moving air, which is why water losses caused by these factors are reduced.

After rotting, mulch made from natural materials mixes with the soil and improves its structure, making the soil looser. Thanks to this, plant roots have easier access to water, because in loose soil the moisture is distributed more evenly, so it naturally compensates for what the roots have consumed.

In summer, mulch protects the soil from sun rays, thanks to which the plant roots do not overheat. In winter, the mulch layer protects the roots from frost, serving as a heat insulator.

If the water in the soil and roots freezes, then will increase in size and rupture the root cells, after which they will no longer be able to perform their functions normally. Thanks to the heat-insulating properties of mulch, the water in the roots does not freeze even in severe frosts, and in the spring it is easier for the plant to wake up from sleep and resume growth.

In addition, mulch protects the beds from slugs and weeds, because the former experience discomfort when moving on a very uneven surface, and the latter cannot grow normally through a thick mulch layer.

Impact of wood waste on the earth: pros and cons

To understand how mulch from wood sawing waste differs from mulch from other materials, you need to understand how sawdust affects the soil.

The transformation of wood into humus (humus), that is, a substance suitable for absorption by plants, occurs due to the activity a huge number of different bacteria and fungi.

This process occurs with any organic matter, due to which any plants, animals and other living organisms turn into humus after death.

During the life of microorganisms that ensure the decay of wood, various acids are released, only some of which are necessary to obtain humus.

The remaining acids do not affect the mechanical properties of the soil, but change the acid-base balance of humus, and then the soil with which it comes into contact.

This effect appears most strongly during the decay of softwood sawdust, so even partially rotted waste from sawing wood acidifies the soil, changing the acid-base balance and making the soil unsuitable for some plants.

In addition, bacteria and fungi that ensure wood decay consume a lot of nitrogen, extracted both from sawdust and air, and from the soil with which wood waste comes into contact.

Therefore, with any use of sawdust, it is necessary to take into account the consumption of nitrogen by bacteria and the reduction in the level of this element in the soil.

Some of the acids secreted by bacteria and fungi are danger to young seedlings and shoots, which have not yet had time to grow a strong bark that protects them from pathogens of various diseases.

Therefore, mulching young seedlings with fresh sawdust leads to damage to their skin and infection with pathogens of various diseases.

If a decrease in nitrogen levels and an increase in acidity can be compensated for with lime or ash, as well as nitrogen-containing fertilizers, then the only way to protect seedlings– use only completely rotted material for mulching.

To compensate for the change in the acid-base balance of the soil after using sawdust mulch, the soil is sprinkled with ash, dolomite flour or slaked lime (fluff).

The alkali from these drugs reacts with acids , because of which the latter turn into salts with the release of water.

These processes happen slowly: Therefore, both the increase in acidity and the decrease occur over a period of several months.

That is why adding ash or other reagents along with applying a layer of sawdust mulch keeps the soil from changing acidity if the amount of reagents corresponds to the amount of acids released from wood waste.

How to prepare mulch?

For mulching you can use various materials, the most popular of which are:

polyethylene film;
pulled or mown weeds;
forbs (hay);
straw;
a mixture of various organic materials (weeds, hay, straw, etc.) with rotted manure or compost;
needles;
sawdust.

Polyethylene film, especially black or two-tone, suppresses weed growth well and makes the garden bed beautiful appearance, but has no effect on slugs.

In addition, on a hot summer day the ground under such a film heats up to dangerous levels, which often leads to the death of roots.

Low vapor permeability of this material leads to increased humidity on the surface of the earth and the appearance of mold and colonies of harmful bacteria, as well as the rapid proliferation of woodlice.

In addition, the film cannot protect against frost, so other materials must be used along with it.

In any garden bed or greenhouse, various weeds constantly grow, which take away nutrients and moisture from cultivated plants, so they are weeded out or torn out.

Picked, mowed or torn out weeds can also be used as mulch, which protects against heat and cold better than film. However, such material often leaves weed seeds in the ground, which eventually germinate and then have to be pulled up or weeded out again.

A few days after laying on the ground, in the pulled out weeds the transformation into humus begins. Moreover, it is carried out by the same fungi and bacteria that ensure the rotting of sawdust.

As a result, the soil becomes slightly acidic, and the free acid damages the thin skin of the seedlings, making them vulnerable to disease.

Weeds rot much faster than sawdust due to the lower lignin content in the trunk, so they have time to completely rot before the onset of frost.

This leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of frost protection, because as a result of rotting the thickness of the weed layer is greatly reduced.

The situation is the same with forb hay, straw or pine needles - these materials quickly rot and can also contaminate the area with seeds, which will lead to the appearance of extra plants in the garden bed or greenhouse.

Due to rapid decay, spring mulch cannot protect plant roots from frost, and due to the presence of mulch, weeds that can be used for autumn mulching do not grow in the beds, so you will have to buy hay or straw.

If it is possible to buy these materials, then they effectively protect roots plants from frost.

Since the rotting of any type of organic matter is ensured by the same fungi and bacteria as sawdust, their effect on the soil is approximately the same.

The only difference is that the dried stems of any herbs are much less dense than sawdust, therefore, with the same volume, they differ greatly in weight.

At the same time, the number of microorganisms that ensure decay, as well as the amount of acid they secrete and nitrogen consumed from the ground, is directly related to the mass. Therefore, the influence of mulch from hay, straw and pulled out weeds on the soil is much less than the influence that sawdust has.

In addition, the shape and structure of sawdust better suited for loosening soil, than any other materials.

After all, torn stems, as well as hay or straw, consist of long elements, and the waste from sawing wood, in size more like very coarse sand or very fine gravel.

Therefore, the soil with them allows water and air to pass through well. A mixture of any stems, as well as hay or straw with droppings/manure, compensates for the consumption of nitrogen by microorganisms, and lime or ash compensates for the increase in acidity.

However, even in this combination these materials may not be as effective as mulch , like sawdust.

After all, woodlice do not breed under the sawdust, and weeds do not grow, because the density of the mulch layer is much higher and the reserves in the weed seed are not enough to push through such a mass of wood waste.

If the total mass of weed, hay or straw mulch was equal to the mass of sawdust mulch, then the level of change in the acid-base balance, as well as nitrogen removal, would also be the same.

That's why Negative influence to the ground sawdust and these materials are the same, but the benefits of sawdust are much greater.

The maximum effectiveness of any mulch, including winter mulch, is achieved only with the planting of green manure.

After all, even a mixture of rotted waste from sawing wood with droppings or manure cannot fully compensate for all the substances spent on the growth of cultivated plants.

But a combination of mulch and litter or manure with planting properly selected green manures completely compensates for all spent substances and allows you to effectively grow crops in one area for many years.

Moreover, green manure and even the best mulching cannot replace each other because they have different purposes.

Preparation of raw materials

To prevent sawdust from harming the soil and plantings, they must be properly prepared to make mulch, completely or partially converted into humus(humus).

To do this, you can use either clean wood waste of any species, or a mixture of sawdust with any feces, as well as nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

To begin the fermentation process, in which various bacteria and fungi will process the wood into humus, it is necessary provide high humidity and temperature over +15 degrees.

After all, the number of microorganisms must exceed a certain minimum threshold, after which they will be able to effectively process organic matter.

Adding manure or humus to the fermenting mass reduces temperature requirements.

After all, excrement already contains most of the necessary microorganisms, and much more than the minimum amount.

After reaching minimum quantity, microorganisms begin to process the material, releasing thermal energy, so the pile of a mixture of sawdust and droppings/manure is warm inside even on frosty days.

By adding lime, ash or dolomite flour to rotting sawdust or a mixture with droppings/manure, you will get mulching material with excellent fertilizing properties and neutralize components that change the acidity of the soil.

This is especially important if you want to use material that is not completely rotted for mulching.

For natural decay of waste sawing wood takes 2–4 years, depending on temperature and humidity. Adding droppings/manure reduces the period of complete rotting to six months at above-zero temperatures or slight frost.

If, along with excrement, you add a drug that accelerates the growth of bacteria, then sawdust They will completely rot in 3–4 months.

For more information about these processes and the preparation of sawdust for application to the ground or use as mulch, read the article sawdust compost.

Is it possible to use fresh sawdust, and how to apply it correctly?

When choosing waste from sawing wood for mulching certain plants, keep in mind that not completely rotted conifers sawdust acidifies the soil much more strongly than deciduous wood.

Therefore, hardwood sawdust is better suited for mulching with not completely rotted material.

If you wait until the wood waste has completely rotted, then There is no difference between conifers and deciduous trees.

For every plant use their own methodology adding mulch, so the method of mulching peppers will not work with strawberries or raspberries.

In addition, mulching annual plants differs from the same procedure in beds or in greenhouses with perennial plants in that no need to protect roots plants from frost.

How can it be used as winter protection?

After harvesting, it is necessary to restore nutrients spent on plant development and loosen compacted soil.

If perennial plants are planted in beds or greenhouses, then their roots must also be protected from frost.

To do this, you can either increase the layer of summer mulch or add winter mulch. For processing soil under annual plantsgreen manure is first planted, then cover the ground with winter mulch, which loosens the soil and fills it with nutrients.

Best suited for this mulch based on:

sawdust of any species;
droppings or manure;
slaked lime;
a drug that accelerates the decomposition of compost.

Moreover you don't even have to wait mulch rotting.

Indeed, thanks to a drug that accelerates the proliferation of bacteria, as well as droppings or manure, microorganisms that process organic matter will reproduce and perform their function even at sub-zero temperatures.

Therefore, it is enough to scatter the thoroughly mixed composition throughout the greenhouse or garden bed, after which microorganisms will turn it into humus, which will loosen the soil and compensates for the loss of nutrients and microelements.

If you want to mulch a garden bed or greenhouse, where perennial plants are planted, then consider the following:

Only completely rotted material is suitable for laying directly on the ground;
Partially rotted material is also suitable for laying on a layer of summer mulch, but around the plant trunks you will have to leave a free space of 10 cm in diameter, otherwise the plant trunk will suffer.

Therefore for perennial plants It is not advisable to use material that has not completely rotted, because it will loosen the soil and provide it with nutrients, but will not protect plant roots from frost.

Completely rotted humus from sawdust and animal excrement is free from these shortcomings.

Nevertheless, winter mulching cannot fully replace the use of green manure, because even mulch based on the above composition compensates for the loss of only essential substances, but cannot replace what green manure restores.

Therefore, the maximum effect is achieved when winter mulching carried out only after collecting green manure, Moreover, the green manure is scattered over the bed before laying the mulch layer.

Video on the topic

This video details the use of sawdust for mulching.

Conclusion

Sawdust is good material for mulching any plants. At correct use such mulch protects plants from: