Mulching tomatoes in a greenhouse: the choice of materials and technology. Mulching tomatoes in a greenhouse, how to get a big crop of tomatoes How to mulch the soil in a greenhouse under tomatoes

Why Mulch

These materials retain moisture and heat well, and also nourish the plants with the necessary substances. These funds are cheap, they can be found on your own personal plot or do it yourself.

Woven agrotextile for soil mulching is the new kind material used to protect agricultural areas from weeds, overheating and weathering. Unlike a film, puddles do not form on its surface, since this type of mulch is a solid-woven polymer that partially allows moisture and air to pass through. In what cases is it permissible to use this material? Woven agrotextile for soil mulching can be used when growing tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, berry crops, they can cover rose bushes for the winter, vine and tree trunks.

How

A good material for creating a protective cover in the garden is needles and fallen cones. With needles, you can sprinkle the soil under heather plants and rhododendron. Mulching the soil with needles gives good results when growing strawberries. In addition, pine or spruce needles are often used as a cover in flower beds.
Mulching the soil with pine bark inhibits the growth of weeds, prevents the appearance of certain plant pests and diseases, allows watering the land without erosion and reduces water splashing. Of all the variety of organic matter, this material is one of the most attractive and durable. Chopped bark looks very nice in flower beds, you can sprinkle paths with it, and besides, it saturates the air with the smell of a pine forest.

In cases where it is planned to use fallen leaves from trees or shrubs to cover the soil, it is necessary to transfer it under other plants. The reason is simple: it can contain dangerous insects or pathogens. It is recommended to use the leaves of unrelated plants, since the sensitivity to diseases and pests in related crops is the same.

incident

We all know about the benefits of mulching in general, mulching tomatoes specifically, and mulching tomatoes specifically in a greenhouse especially.

If you decide to mulch tomatoes using leaves or needles of trees, then you can easily find covering material in the nearest forest or even on your site. Material from mixed or coniferous forest has proven itself well. Compared to vegetable, experts consider wood to be more durable, therefore, it is advised to make flooring in a greenhouse from sawdust or bark. it great material for those greenhouses in which the earth is rarely dug up, while it allows the soil to remain moist. It is important to select the most dry material, and the laid layer of sawdust should be shed with a solution of urea. So that the soil does not oxidize, it is necessary to pour on sawdust slaked lime or chalk.

How to

In last years one of the effective ways to increase the yield of tomatoes was mulching - protecting the top layer of soil with the help of covering materials of natural or artificial origin, which are laid on beds with crops. As practice shows, mulching tomatoes in a greenhouse makes it possible to increase yields by 25% and reduce the ripening time of vegetables by 5 to 13 days. The main thing is to know how and with what to mulch tomatoes in your greenhouse. You can only mulch tomatoes with mowed and well-dried grass or hay. The advantages of this method are that the lower layer of grass begins to rot when moistened, so the soil is saturated with useful substances.

Mulching with freshly cut grass is undesirable!

In addition, they are environmentally friendly and do not cause any harm to plants.

Video "Mulching the soil"

Mulch from polymer materials completely suppresses the growth of weeds, but the earth is not enriched with any nutrients. When using a film, plants receive water only in the case of drip irrigation, temperature regime, condensation accumulates under the coating, which attracts slugs.

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How we mulched, mulched and remulched

According to some foreign researchers, the acidity of the soil when using needles as a mulch does not significant changes, and the yield of eggplant grown in this area increases by 20%. Mulching the soil with cones is suitable for fruit trees and shrubs. This coating looks very nice under single trees.
The yield of garden blueberries when using pine bark as mulch is higher compared to blueberries, the soil under which was covered with black film or burlap. Yes, this material slightly acidifies the earth, and the tannins contained in it can harm garden crops, but in other places of the site it only benefits. Mulching the soil with pine bark not only enriches the soil and protects it from overheating and freezing, but also makes lawns and gardens more beautiful.

It is important that soil mulching materials, when in contact with water and exposed to sunlight, do not release poisons and are not treated with chemicals.

which made me more respectful of old newspapers. Casus was called a spider mite. This little nit, practically invisible to the naked eye, quietly spent time on the grass, drinking its juice and generally not bothering anyone much. Since the nit did not particularly bother anyone and at the same time was almost invisible, it is not surprising that I did not pay any attention to it. He mulched the entire greenhouse tightly with freshly cut grass and began to enjoy life. What could not be said about the upset spider mites. Drinking juice and cut grass, which turned into hay in a few days, seemed to them a little uncomfortable. And hunger is not an aunt, even if you are a little nit, that is, a spider mite. And the ticks began to move to the tomatoes with hunger.

How, you don’t know about the benefits of mulching?

Mulching tomatoes with compost is also an easy task. You can prepare it yourself from any type of waste - old papers thrown into the compost pit, household garbage, rotten hay, which can decompose. It is best to mix the compost with other materials, and then apply it with a layer of about 3 cm. In the attic you can always find unnecessary newspapers, paper or cardboard that need to be crushed and made into a greenhouse flooring of about 15 cm. To prevent it from flying apart, you can apply straw or compost. Such a mulch will be able to increase the temperature of the soil and will last for several years.

The main task of tomato mulch in a greenhouse is to reliably protect the top layer of the earth from the formation of a crust on it, which will interfere with the normal access of air to crops. Mulching also prevents sunlight from entering, which is especially loved by weeds. A layer of mulch helps keep the surface of the ground moist for many days, which allows the gardener to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse less.

This process attracts worms, which improve the structure of the soil, loosen it and also enrich it with available organic matter. The listed materials can be used as mulch, but only after they have decayed, for example, in a compost heap. Pay attention

Before planting seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to remove debris, weed weeds, if the surface is dry, loosen it to a depth of 4-7 cm, fertilize, water well. As mulch, you can use cut grass, straw, peat, sawdust or wood shavings. Their layer can reach 12-15 cm. But less peat and sawdust are needed - about 3-5 cm. Covering the soil around tomatoes with organic mulch species enriches the earth and creates favorable conditions for plant growth.

Straw is perhaps the most common type of mulch. It can be used in gardens and orchards. The layer thickness can be 10-15 cm. It can be combined with other types of protective coating. A good result is achieved by mixing straw with rotted manure or compost. When using such material, the soil structure improves and the number of certain pests, such as slugs, decreases.

This type of organic coating can be poured under coniferous trees, under roses and used to create decorative compositions. As already mentioned, mulching the soil with tree bark, needles or wood chips affects the acidity of the earth. To neutralize such an impact, it is recommended to use additional ash or lime. This type of mulch is considered dense, it is poured in a layer no more than 5 cm thick, and it should not come into contact with tree trunks, so about 10 cm should be left to ensure air circulation. AT shady places the layer of bark used as a protective material should be slightly thinner than in the illuminated areas.

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Mulching the soil with cut grass, sawdust, pine bark

Substances used to create a protective layer on the ground can be natural or synthetic. The first, in turn, are divided into organic and inorganic. Straw, cut grass, compost, wood chips and sawdust, needles and cones, chopped tree bark, buckwheat husks, nut shells and peat are organic substances, they rot over time, enriching the earth with nutrients.

Basic rules for the use of a protective layer on the surface of the earth

At first, on a couple of bushes in different places of the greenhouse, sluggish leaves appeared in the lower tier. Sinning to some next unknown mushroom attack, we cut off the sluggish leaves. Because the chemicals we don’t like to apply, we didn’t spray anything, and there were no obvious symptoms other than wilting of the leaves. In general, tomatoes were harvested with varying success until autumn and sluggish leaves were removed. For this reason, the harvest was not very good, and the weather was cold that year.

What is mulching? Mulching is when the earth in the beds is closed with something. No, not a carpet of juicy green weeds. And for example, a layer of hay or cardboard sheets or spruce needles or tree bark ... In general, whoever is into what he is, he mulches it. They also mulch, with varying degrees of success, with plastic wrap, sawdust and shavings, husks sunflower seeds, humus, old newspapers ... As you understand, the list is far from complete.

It is also permissible to mulch a tomato using artificial materials. They create an excellent greenhouse effect and can last longer than natural ones. These include colored and black polyethylene film, non-woven material, roofing felt and roofing material. The film must be strong and opaque so that it prevents the appearance of weeds, and adheres tightly to the soil. For tomatoes, it is best to choose red. Non-woven covering material perfectly passes moisture and air, can serve as a mulch for up to five years, will not allow fungi and rot to appear, as well as pests. Ruberoid is a reliable material that does not transmit light, it is not toxic to plants.

Also, frequent loosening of the soil will not be required, and very little time will be required for weeding - if the covering layer is very dense, and mulching was done after removing all unwanted weeds. Thus, covering the ground with artificial and natural materials is a modern agrotechnical procedure, during which, due to the action of microorganisms, loose material rots, and humus appears instead.

Use of organic coatings

The disadvantage of such a mulch is that the grass quickly rots, and the layer will have to be updated periodically. But at the same time, plants will constantly receive nutrients.

Soil mulching with inorganic materials

Inorganic materials such as cardboard, newspapers, paper are also not suitable for mulching, because they dry out quickly and are too light.

From inorganic types of mulch, it is better to choose a red or black polyethylene film or roofing material. These materials are especially good for cold climates, as they retain heat and keep plant roots warm.

Use of cut grass

Polymer films can also be temporarily used. It is believed that after emergence protective layer can be removed. Do not mulch tomatoes with tree bark. The mulch layer should not come into contact with the stem of the plant, there should be a gap of several centimeters between them. And one more nuance. When growing tomatoes, it is also recommended to mulch the space between the beds - this will reduce both the amount of watering and the number of weeds.

High-moor peat is a great option. Why? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, mulching the soil with peat enriches it with nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Secondly, such a coating performs a decorative function - it is surrounded by green spaces, beds with strawberries, flower beds. Thirdly, peat has a beneficial effect not only on the soil itself, but also on the root system of plants. In addition, it is suitable for use in greenhouses and greenhouses.

By the way, this type of protective coating is often falsified, so when buying, you need to break the bark and make sure that it is also dark at the break. The wood treated with chemicals is light inside, but most importantly, it contains harmful substances.

Features of using pine bark

Pebbles, small stones, expanded clay, gravel, marble and stone chips are used as an inorganic soil coating. These substances are inert. They protect the soil from weeds, from washing out, from overheating, giving off the heat accumulated during the day in the evening. But their use does not provide any additional nutrients to the earth, as is the case with the use of organic matter.

I must say, this strange disease didn’t upset me that much. And somehow in early September, when most of the harvest had already been harvested, we simply did not appear on the site for a couple of weeks. And the weather turned out to be sunny and dry, and the greenhouse was already closed ... And in a couple of weeks, a sugar desert formed in the greenhouse, but not a simple desert, but a cobweb one. Arriving a couple of weeks later, the greenhouse was found all in thickets of cobwebs. The cobwebs were covered with tomatoes, and all the weeds, any vegetation. Attack of the mutant spiders? No, not spiders. And not mutants. Just activated due to warm and dry weather spider mites, crawled sometime in early summer from fresh grass.

Why is this mulching necessary? Very simple. First of all, we get rid of weeds. They simply cannot sprout from under a thick layer of old newspapers, socks and car tires.

It is important to mulch when the soil is warm enough. This is especially true for unheated greenhouses.

Using sawdust, shavings and wood chips to protect the soil

The clear advantages of mulching tomatoes grown in their own greenhouse can be safely called an improvement in soil structure, a decrease in moisture loss, as there is minimal evaporation, saturation with useful substances necessary for normal growth and development of tomatoes, maintaining proper air permeability of the soil.

Pay attention!

The disadvantages of film and roofing material is that they need to be removed periodically to improve soil ventilation. And in the heat it is better not to use them at all, since excessive overheating can lead to the death of plants. In addition, they do not contain, unlike organic mulch, the nutrients needed to feed tomatoes.

Forest gifts

The best types of mulch for tomatoes are:

When creating a protective cover, it must be remembered that organic matter should not be damp, especially wet, otherwise such a layer will become moldy. For this purpose, you can not use grass treated with herbicides and other pesticides.

Other types of organic materials used for soil protection

Fresh and rotted sawdust and wood chips can be used on the beds, they can be sprinkled on the paths. A positive property of the coating of these materials is that it repels slugs. Nice results gives soil mulching with sawdust or shavings when growing vegetables, perennial berries and horticultural crops.

This type of mulch is convenient for flower beds and flower beds, it is decorative and does not attract pests, but is not suitable for beds, as over time the stones sink into the ground and interfere with its further processing. Inorganic materials can be sprinkled on the paths and used in compositions that decorate gardens and front gardens.

So this is the conclusion - before you mulch, let the grass dry properly so that the ticks crawl away on their own business. Or think of old newspapers.

Mulching with synthetic materials

The second thing is to get rid of the need for too frequent watering. After all, the soil under a layer of mulch, socks and car tires retains moisture much better, which is also important on clay soils and on the sand. Indeed, without mulching, as you know, no matter how much water you pour into the sand, it dries out anyway, especially in a greenhouse. And clay ... it’s even worse with it - it crusts, cracks ... And under the mulch and the sand remains wet and the clay does not harden, but remains loose.

For heated rooms, any day after the tomatoes have been planted may be fine. The soil should first be loosened normally, get rid of weeds that have already appeared.

Mulching also provides an excellent opportunity to protect lower leaves crops from the ground, because when it enters, diseases can be observed in tomatoes. According to the results of its impact, mulching can replace such work as preventive measures against diseases and bacteria, protecting tomato roots from exposure to low temperatures in winter, regular weeding of the earth from grass and loosening.

The use of fresh sawdust for mulching helps retain moisture in the ground and preserve soil structure. Therefore, it is especially important in hot and dry periods, since sawdust retains moisture well and prevents plants from overheating. But at the same time, they can acidify the soil.

In addition, if something is printed on paper, then lead enters the soil, which is harmful to the human body.

Mulching soil for tomatoes: features

Unsuitable for mulching are:

Straw-dung rotted mulch,

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There are several types of films used in different areas economy. Transparent is not suitable for soil cover. In general, any film is a polymer used both in construction and in agriculture as a waterproofing material. Most often, black varieties are used, which are convenient for covering the soil when growing vegetables.

It must be remembered that sawdust can become caked and interfere with air circulation, so the thickness of the layer used should not exceed 3-5 cm. In the process of decomposition, the chips absorb nitrogen from the soil, reducing its amount. This is a property of all types of wood mulch. For this reason, sawdust is recommended to be used after soaking the soil. nitrogen fertilizers or manure.
Mulching the soil with cut grass is very good way protect the site and enrich it with humus. It is important here not to let it ripen, otherwise a lot of unwanted seeds will fall on the ground with it. When grass grows 10-15 cm high in the gardens, it is mowed and dried before further use. You can use the weeds left after weeding them to the ripening stage as a covering layer, the leaves and stems of tomatoes have proven themselves well - such a mulch even scares away cabbage whites.
There is no void in nature, there is no soil surface without a fallen leaf, petal, twig, pieces of bark and without a growing plant. Uncovered land becomes vulnerable and defenseless, it overheats in summer, and freezes and weathers in autumn and winter. A layer of cut grass, straw, sawdust, compost, pine needles, stones, or specially created films is called mulch. And the process of covering the land with these materials, which is a very effective agricultural technique, is called "soil mulching."

The third useful property of mulch from natural materials, such as hay, is that under it worms and other useful animals are bred in abundance, which loosen the soil and poop useful humus. In addition, the hay itself slowly rots from below, adding fertility to the earth.

Covering material must be laid out in the area around the plants in such a way that its flooring is from 3 to 8 cm. If the material has a loose structure, you just need to scatter it. Be sure to leave some space around the stems for easy watering in the future. Materials of natural origin, which were decomposed at the beginning of summer, are recycled by worms at the end of the season. In the event that some of the mulch remains on the site, you do not need to put it in the compost pit. Since cleaning is advised only on those beds where you are going to plant seeds of other crops next year.

Experts advise to carry out the mulching procedure in a greenhouse with materials of natural origin, which are often located next to us. Gradually decomposing, the mulch is able to turn into humus useful for the growth and development of tomatoes in the greenhouse. It depends on the choice of covering material which microelements can enrich the soil. Today, not only straw or freshly cut grass can be used as materials for mulching, but also leaves, needles, tree bark or sawdust, compost, newspapers or cardboard.

In order for the sawdust to serve not only as a mulch, but also as a source of nutrients, they are best placed in compost heap for rotting and use in a year. Or mix with compost, which will start the process of sawdust decomposition. In this case, they will play the role of not only mulch, but also fertilizer.

What can not be mulched

Husks of seeds or buckwheat, as they are very light and do not contain the right amount of nutrients.

Hay, humus from leaves or straw;
Sometimes, when growing tomatoes, a red-colored soil mulching film is used. The prepared, that is, fertilized, plowed and watered land is covered with this material and cross-shaped cuts are made where the plants should be planted, and when shoots appear, the protective layer is removed.
Care must be taken when choosing this kind of material. Shavings, chips or sawdust should not be bought and used if they are made from old boxes or boards soaked in chemicals. Only the waste that remains after processing the branches is suitable for mulching. Even improper storage of such materials can damage them. If a sour smell comes from them, then the reason for this may be rotting without access to air and the formation of acid that can harm plants. Such sawdust should be scattered, let them dry and air out, and only then sprinkle them on the ground around the plants.

Mowed grass can cover the aisles in the gardens, and the ground under the trees. The soil warms up well, the grass between the beds dries quickly and begins to decompose in the fall. By this time, the harvest is usually already harvested. And in winter, a layer of grass rots under the snow and becomes a good fertilizer by spring. When mulching trees, the protective material should not touch the trunks. The optimal coverage radius used for shrubs should be 40-50 cm, and for trees - up to 80 cm. The thickness of the layer of dried hay or straw can reach 10-15 cm.

Since the 17th century, agricultural areas have been covered with hay, straw or compost. Covering the soil not only allows you to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation, reduce the effects of the negative impact of adverse factors, but also increases the fertility of the land, increases the number of beneficial microorganisms and stimulates the reproduction of earthworms.

Personally, until recently, I really liked mulching with hay. More precisely, not even hay, but freshly cut grass. You used to go into the greenhouse after such mulching, and there was such a smell ... Again, worms, humus, pooping ... Full order all in all. So mulching with old newspapers, socks and car tires I didn’t even consider it as an option.

At the end of each season, the topsoil will need to be removed, and the beds will need to be formed on a special biofuel. It is recommended to remove the layer together with the mulch either separately or together with the soil. After that, it can be used in the future at the discretion of the summer resident.

Straw is an excellent material for sheltering tomatoes in a greenhouse.

Thus, mulching is not only a way to increase crop yields, but also greatly facilitates their care.

It is also better not to use transparent polyethylene and other similar materials, as the soil warms up under them, and weeds continue to grow. In addition, they disrupt the air ventilation in the soil, so the plant may die.

Shavings, bark, sawdust in its pure form, since when rotting they can increase the acidity of the soil, making it unsuitable.

Mulching tomatoes with grass and hay

Compost.

Black film is often used to cover the row spacing of vegetable crops. The temperature under it is 2 degrees higher than when using other types protective coatings, it does not let light, air and water through. The soil under it is not enriched with any nutrients, as is the case with the use of organic types of mulch, but the film completely eliminates the germination of weeds.

A fairly common technique is mulching the soil with cones and pine or spruce needles, that is, needles. More on this later.

Mulching the soil with cut grass can greatly improve the quality of the land. For this purpose, plants with special properties are specially grown. Temporarily empty areas are sown with grasses that improve the structure of the soil and prevent it from overgrowing with weeds. Such plants are called green manure, most often representatives of the legume family, for example, clover or alfalfa, are used for this purpose. Within one year, you can sow them 2-3 times on the site. The cut grass needs to be dried a little, and then used as mulch in other areas, or it can be left in place, where it enriches the soil with nutrients as it rots.

Mulching with sawdust

Most affordable way protection is the mulching of the soil with grass. However, it must be mowed before maturation and the formation of seeds, otherwise they can germinate and clog the site. If manure is used as a cover, it must be rotted so as not to infect the land with weeds and pests.

But it happened

After watching the record, you will learn about the main advantages and disadvantages different materials for soil mulching.

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Its layer about 15 cm thick can be a good protection against diseases - such dangerous ones as leaf spot, anthracnose, early rot and others. Straw normally passes air, the main thing is to make sure that rodents or insects do not start in it. Grass or weeds, either freshly cut or lightly dried, can be used to mulch tomatoes. The flooring layer is advised to be made quite thick, because after reducing and compacting it will become no more than 5 cm. Since the grass tends to decompose quickly, it will have to be updated from time to time. In this case, the soil will be saturated with nitrogen and other substances useful for plants.

Mulching tomatoes in a greenhouse or on the ground is a technology for covering the upper fertile layer with natural, artificial material. It is carried out everywhere in agro-industrial complexes, allows you to harvest vegetables without harmful compounds in the composition. This also applies to tomatoes. Certain types of mulch can be used after planting in closed (open) ground, but some cannot (peat, roofing material).

Do I need to mulch tomatoes?

The main purpose of mulch is to retain water, to prevent drying (corrosion) of the top layer. The mulching process has many advantages for tomatoes in a greenhouse, on open ridges. Beneficial features:

keeping under control the air, wet conditions of the soil;
protection of the surface layer of the earth from the formation of a hard crust that impairs air circulation;
shading the beds from the rays of the scorching sun;
preventing the rapid growth of weeds, leading to the destruction of tomatoes;
facilitating the process of loosening, watering for gardeners, because the earth under a layer of mulch remains crumbly for a long time;
reduction of energy costs, because natural organics, laid out on ridges around the circumference of a tomato, will subsequently become humus - a favorite delicacy for earthworms, will contribute to the accelerated growth of tomatoes;
lack of evaporation of moisture from the beds due to the creation of a greenhouse closed effect, which is important for tomatoes - will not lead to damage by fungus and mold;
separation of bushes from moist soil, which is extremely important for seedlings during the growing season, and during irrigation, a stream of water will not erode the soil.

Soil mulching favors normal growth and vegetation, prevents dryness of the aboveground soil layer in the summer heat, and reduces the frequency of irrigation. The soil under the mulch cover will remain constantly moist.

Tomatoes when grown under open sky extremely unstable against the onslaught of winds, exposure to sunlight, wind and water. The negative impact in the aggregate will provoke compaction of the upper soil, the formation of a crust, and a violation of the air exchange process. A layer of mulch will prevent such manifestations, although when choosing a mulching material, it is worth considering the conditions of the terrain, the composition of the earth.

Experts advise preferring organic matter for tomatoes (compost, rotted leaves, chopped straw) and laying in a layer of 5-6 cm so that weeds make their way to the light less. Black polyethylene is suitable, although in addition, for the purpose of thermal insulation, it is worth enclosing a layer of sawdust (straw).

Types of mulching materials

You can mulch the earth with organic matter or industrial material. According to the varieties of mulch happens:

natural (organic): straw, compost, cut grass, fallen leaves, needles;
inorganic (industrial): polyethylene, non-woven fabric, cardboard, unpainted newspaper.

It is better to mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse with a film of red, black. A good option is purchased Agrotex.

natural covering material

Natural organic matter is the most useful mulch for a tomato, because as it rots it turns into humus, begins to nourish the seedlings, saturate it with valuable components and improve the composition of the soil.

Organic

The main varieties of natural mulch for sheltering vegetables:

Inorganic

Film- a simple, cheap material of transparent, black and white tones, however, it is more suitable for drip irrigation when arranging greenhouse tomatoes. Service life - 1 year. The disadvantage is poor ventilation, so the root system of a tomato can become oversaturated with moisture, causing infection of seedlings with fungi and bacteria.
nonwoven fabric(dense, transparent) - economical material. Service life - 4-5 seasons. Geotextiles will not allow the death of seedlings by frost, insulate the root system, and prevent fungal rot. The structure is porous, light transmission is high. The material passes air and moisture well, it will protect the soil from overheating in the heat.
Ruberoid- reliable and durable material. It will cover the seedlings from the rays of sunlight, which is important in the summer in the heat and prevent the rapid growth of weeds. But roofing material is toxic, it can harm the soil and tomatoes. It is undesirable to cover seedlings for a long period of time.
Cardboard, unpainted paper(without the content of lead paint). The disadvantage is that it gets wet quickly, the need for frequent replacement (otherwise, slugs will quickly start up in the soil and on tomatoes). If you mulch the soil under the tomatoes with paper, cardboard, newspapers, then it is additionally worth loosening, fertilizing it, and also making many holes on the material for the unhindered penetration of air and moisture to the plants.

Newspapers are best pre-shredded, covering beds up to 15 cm thick. Unlike other materials, it is newspapers that will last much longer and insulate the soil.

Some amateur gardeners do not know which tomato mulch film is better to choose. If you cover greenhouse seedlings, then it is reasonable to use a durable opaque inorganic material to prevent the growth of weeds and protect fragile seedlings from frost. But as t rises above +12 degrees, the material will have to be removed so that the soil does not overheat, does not get very hot.

When planting tomatoes on ridges, the main purpose of mulch is to increase the temperature, so you should use a non-woven fabric with a porous structure, good air throughput.

What can't be used

It is undesirable to use leaves and bark coniferous trees with the content of essential oils and volatile compounds that cause disruption of the vital activity of beneficial microorganisms.

Completely unsuitable materials:

roofing material in the composition with toxic components;
pure peat, oxidizing soil;
cut grass in fresh, potentially infested by insects that feed on plant sap.

Dry grass should first be well (2-3 days) ventilated in the sun. If there is nothing to replace it with, then under each seedling it is worth pouring a little ash.

How to mulch tomatoes

It is important to properly mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse in early spring - at the time of arranging greenhouses, while they are not yet heated.

The main purpose of mulch is to keep water in the soil layers, to prevent the onslaught of sunlight.

When planting vegetables in an open area, mulching should be carried out only after the earth has warmed up sufficiently, when the likelihood of frost has completely passed.

In the open ground

The laying technology will depend entirely on the chosen covering material. If loose, then it is sprinkled with a dense carpet around the circumference of each seedling with a layer of 5-6 cm, but leaving a small space near the stem to facilitate subsequent watering.

Mowed grass is laid on the beds in a thick layer, slightly dried, pre-dried in the sun for 1-2 days. It is important to periodically stir, turn over to avoid rotting of the lower layer of soil.
Needles in the composition with useful phytoncides are laid in a layer of 4-5 cm to stop the growth of weeds and retain moisture. It will also prevent rot in the tomato garden, increase the acidity of the soil.
Straw is laid out in a layer of 10-15 cm, as it will gradually settle. But in summer it cools the soil well from the heat, suppresses the growth of weeds. This is a more durable coating and quickly forms humus.

It is not recommended to oversaturate the soil if it itself is quite fertile. For example, an excess of nitrogen will lead to increased growth of green mass and a small amount of ovary formation. Cardboard, newspaper, paper are more suitable for melon seedlings. For a tomato, the material is inconvenient when unfolding and has to be torn into small pieces flying apart from the wind. Although the situation can be corrected by sprinkling the newspaper with chips, sawdust.

In greenhouse conditions

If the greenhouse is heated, then you can cover the soil immediately after planting the tomatoes. When using a fabric web, it is worth making cuts on it with a + sign in the places where the culture is planted. Mulching process:

preparation of beds;
laying the material;
planting seedlings in prepared slots.

If a film is used, it is better that it be thin, elastic, durable, opaque. So it will contribute to the death of couch grass, loach, thistle and will not form crusts on the ground.

Pi selection the best option mulch for tomatoes, it is important to take into account the degree of soil fertility, climatic conditions, planting method and variety.

Mulching solves many problems and facilitates the work of a summer residentGrowing tomatoes in a greenhouse, we achieve them early ripening, reduce the risk of death from frost and fungal diseases, we get a higher yield than on unprotected soil. But, although the plants feel great in such a shelter, they still need special care aimed at creating the most favorable conditions. In addition to timely watering, ventilation and maintaining the optimal temperature in the greenhouse, to achieve best result mulching the soil under the tomatoes also helps.

Why you need mulching

First, let's define this concept. Mulching is the laying of materials of artificial or organic origin on the surface of the beds with plants, designed to regulate the air and moisture regime of the soil.

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That is, the main purpose of the mulch is to protect the topsoil from drying out, in which a dense crust forms on its surface, preventing air exchange. But this is not all the benefits that this action gives both plants and growers. The list of "usefulness" of mulching can be continued. So:

The layer covering the ground under the tomatoes does not pass through itself Sun rays, thereby preventing the germination of weeds that cause great harm cultivated plants; Soil moisture under the mulch lasts longer, and after watering, its top layer does not dry out. This makes it much less likely to carry out the most labor-intensive do-it-yourself work - watering and loosening; When using organic materials for shelter, their lower layer in contact with the ground gradually fades, earthworms eat it with pleasure and process it into humus, fertilizing the soil under the tomatoes . Therefore, you can do without dressings or significantly reduce their number (see Top dressing of tomatoes in a greenhouse, what fertilizers and when to use); Finally, another reason why greenhouse tomatoes need mulching is to prevent evaporation of moisture from the surface of the earth. Since these plants are watered very abundantly, evaporating water in an enclosed space creates high humidity, which is very harmful to tomatoes - it leads to the development of phytophthora and other diseases.

As you can see, there are enough arguments in favor of mulching to try to test its effectiveness. How to do it right?

How to mulch tomatoes

For those who are going to do this for the first time, there are many questions. The main ones are when, how and how to mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse. We answer.

Types of mulch

Materials for covering the soil under any cultivated plants are divided into two main groups: special coatings produced by industry and natural materials.

The former include non-woven fabrics and films. They can be different color, pass or not pass water and air through itself, have other distinctive properties.

For reference. Agronomists say that it is best to use red coatings for tomatoes. In the photo, there is a red film as a mulching layer. In general, special materials such as Agrotex are intended specifically for caring for tomatoes, but many summer residents, to whom its price seems high, successfully replace it with black polyethylene film, roofing felt or just cardboard, old newspapers, burlap. The second group of materials includes:

hay or straw;

In order to mulch tomatoes in the open field or in a greenhouse, gardeners also use industrial covering materials. Agrotex is special. But to replace it, you can take any dense fabric.

It is desirable that it be dark. Agronomists advise choosing red shades. Some gardeners mulch tomatoes with newspapers. This mulching material can be used, only select those instances that do not have color images.

Because such paint contains many harmful substances. And on top of them it would be nice to lay another mulch.

When and how to mulch a tomato?

In a heated greenhouse, it can be done immediately after planting tomatoes. If the greenhouse is heated only by sunlight, then it is worth waiting for the moment when the threat of night frost has passed.

Because the mulch does not let the sun's heat through to the soil, which means that the plants can freeze. The mulching technology is determined by the material itself. If it is crumbly, then it must be laid on the ground laying a dense carpet.

It is required to leave only small islands around the tomato plants in order to water them. In the fabric, it is supposed to make cuts in the form of a “+” sign in the places where the tomatoes will be planted. Spread the material over the bed of the greenhouse and plant plants in the slots. There shouldn't be any big problems. The benefits of mulching tomatoes with sawdust

They avoid the need frequent watering. This is due to the fact that they do not allow water to evaporate from the soil surface and do not allow the sun to overheat the ground. Mulching with tomato sawdust enriches the soil in the greenhouse. This ensures the flow of nutrients to the ovaries of plants. The soil does not harden under sawdust. Therefore, the roots will always be provided with air flow without additional loosening. Tomatoes under sawdust have the opportunity to develop a strong root system, because a sufficient amount of water with air enters it. This means that the plant will receive all the necessary minerals. Surface and soil bacteria multiply remarkably in the sawdust layer, which process the mulch and turn it into a fertile layer. Soil insects and worms exist well in the sawdust, whose vital activity is also aimed at improving the structure of the soil.

What is the benefit of mulching tomatoes with straw?

It is great for filling row spacings, and not just covering open ground in tomato beds. In addition to all the other advantages of mulch, straw enriches the soil with organic matter. In addition, it creates optimum temperature soil.

This is especially important when growing tomatoes outdoors. Because the straw does not allow the soil to cool quickly during sudden spring frosts.

This means that the metabolism between all parts of the plant will not be disturbed, because the root system will function normally. Another benefit of straw is that undersized plants, the fruits of which fall to the ground, are protected from the influence of the earth. Tomatoes lie on straw, which means they do not deteriorate.

Features that mulching tomatoes with forest litter has Fallen leaves and needles are arranged in such a way that they return to the soil a large number of useful substances. This is necessary for the full development of tomatoes.

Therefore, taking a bedding of leaves and needles from the forest, summer residents receive organic fertilizer created by nature itself. They only need to be crushed a little so that the leaves do not cake and allow water and air to pass through. Care should be taken when collecting such mulch.

If there is a tree nearby that is affected by a fungus, then it is better to collect the litter away from it. And it’s better to process all the leaves from pests and microorganisms before they are introduced into the garden. Another point that can harm the site is ants.

They are easy to pick up from the forest floor. You should be extremely careful when collecting the top layer of soil in the forest. The maximum thickness of the mulch layer from forest leaves should not exceed 15-16 cm.

This rule applies to both tomatoes planted in a greenhouse and in open ground. Speaking of aesthetics, in order to complete the idea that such soil mulching is complete, mulch can also be decorative. This mulch is sold in garden stores in large bags. It is very beautiful when decorative colored mulch is poured in flower beds and around trees.

Purpose and technology of soil mulching

Covering the soil in the beds in the greenhouse and open ground with a layer of any covering material is one of the most useful agricultural practices that gives truly fantastic results in increasing the yield of vegetable crops. And in its effect, it replaces such types of agricultural work as loosening the soil, weeding from weeds, watering, protecting plant roots from overheating, preventing diseases and pest reproduction, protecting plant roots for the winter. Thanks to mulching even with just mowed grass, the gardener greatly helps the plants to give the maximum possible yield, as well as:

the structure of the soil improves; the soil is saturated with beneficial microorganisms that effectively process incoming substances into those that are well absorbed by plants; the loss of moisture from the soil is reduced by reducing the volume of evaporation; the air permeability of the soil is maintained, since the earth does not cake from precipitation and irrigation, which is very important for tomatoes; mulch in the open field and in the greenhouse practically saves tomato bushes during irrigation and rain from getting soil particles on the lower leaves, which most often causes dangerous infectious and fungal diseases, such as spotting, late photo blight, rot and others.

Protecting tomato beds from weeds in the greenhouse and open field during the growing season is a constant headache for vegetable growers. Scientists have calculated that the damage caused by weeds is equal to the total damage from spring frosts, overheating in the heat, heavy precipitation and diseases with pests. A good and quick result in weed control provides the use of chemicals protection of plants - herbicides, but most of them are toxic to the environment and to humans, and it is not known, after all, how this chemistry accumulates in the crop, and what long-term results the consumption of such vegetables from your garden will give.

To effectively fight weeds, and also safely, and with relatively low labor costs, mulching of tomatoes allows both in all types of greenhouses and in beds in the open field.

inorganic materials - these include polyethylene film, non-woven covering materials (spunbond, agrofibre, agril, lutrasil, lufasil, air bubble film, agrotext, lumitext, agrospan, two-layer materials), roofing material, cardboard and paper; organic mulching - with straw, hay , cut grass, compost, chopped weeds, sawdust, needles and bark, fallen leaves.

Advantages and disadvantages of mulching materials

Polyethylene film

Pros. It is inexpensive, convenient and easy to use material. The service life of the film on the beds of tomatoes is 1 year.

Its price is low. Actively used in automated system drip irrigation beds, the system of which is installed under the film, which helps to reduce water consumption. The film can be transparent, white and black.

On tomato beds, when using a film, there is a high risk of root decay, the development of bacteria and fungal diseases due to poor ventilation under the film. Technology. Its application requires some preliminary preparation.

First, planting holes are prepared, filled with the necessary fertilizers and formed in the form of small craters. Next, the site is covered with a film, which is fixed around the perimeter of the beds with soil or other cargo.

Then, in the places of elevations, it is necessary to make cross-shaped cuts in the film and plant tomatoes in the hole. Deepen the edges of the film a little into the hole so that rainwater flowed there.

Non-woven covering material

Pros. These materials (listed above), although more expensive than polyethylene film, are more economical and easier to use, and the period of its use is 3-5 seasons.

Materials can be black - for spreading on the ground, white or transparent - for covering tomatoes on the bushes. The second method cannot be called mulching in literally words, but such an agricultural technique can be applied in parallel.

Non-woven shelters reliably protect plants from return and night frosts down to -5 degrees, while the green part of the tomatoes does not suffer. The material laid on the ground insulates the roots, protects against pests and diseases, provides normal growth and the development of tomato kutov in the conditions of the so-called "physiological drought" - when, under low temperatures soil in spring (up to +8 degrees), the plant cannot absorb moisture with its roots.

Having a porous structure and being translucent, non-woven materials pass water and air well, and in hot weather protect the soil from direct sunlight. In addition, mold does not form under such material and fungal diseases do not develop. Minuses.

There are practically no drawbacks, except for the high cost of the material. Technology. The soil covering technology is similar to the spreading of a polyethylene film.

Ruberoid

Pros. This is a purely synthetic roofing material, which is made by impregnating cardboard with bituminous resins. Roofing material well protects the beds in the open field from weeds.

But, there is a big BUT! Minuses. This material is hazardous to health and has long been recognized throughout the world as a strong carcinogen, it gives off fumes that can cause cancer.

Moreover, during the growing season of tomatoes, it is repeatedly washed with water, which is then absorbed by plants with all these substances and enters the fruits. Therefore, we strongly do not recommend using roofing material in the garden and in the garden, as well as railway sleepers for arranging beds, greenhouses, smoking meat or frying barbecue. Technology. The technology of covering the beds with roofing material is similar to spreading a plastic film.

Paper and cardboard

Pros. This is a good covering material, if you can get them in the right amount. But, only unpainted paper and cardboard can be used and it is strictly forbidden to use newspapers that contain lead paints, which also contain a very strong carcinogen. Minuses.

This material soaks quickly, does not look very presentable, and can become moldy if the weather is wet for a long time. In general, it is recommended to periodically stir up such mulch or even turn it over. At the end of the season, the paper should be removed to the compost pit.

In addition, slugs are very fond of settling in such a shelter. Technology. Cardboard and paper need to be shredded a little.

Straw and hay

Pros. It is an excellent material, a good thermal insulator, inhibits the growth of weeds, allows you to get more early harvest and in the greenhouse, and in the greenhouse, and in the open field. Minuses.

Straw mulch strongly attracts mice and pests to tomato roots and fruits, which can be severely damaged. In addition, the straw does not withstand strong wind who carries it around the garden and destroys its beauty.

And mulching with cut grass is dangerous because it can be inseminated right on the beds. Technology. Just lay out the material for planting tomatoes.

Compost

Pros. This is one of the best materials for mulching tomato beds, but it must be used very carefully, as it contains many active nutrients and can cause overfeeding of plants that will grow green mass, but not set fruits. Minuses.

Pros. These materials are rarely used for tomato beds, and more for winter shelters. Although, if it is possible to get enough of them, then the only limitation will be the fact that they decompose and acidify the soil.

This problem can be solved by sprinkling powder of slaked lime or chalk on top of the mulch, calcium from which will bind the acetic acid formed during the decay of the material during the season. Minuses. In addition to soil oxidation, sawdust and needles are highly susceptible to weathering, so they are recommended to be additionally covered from above with non-woven material, grass, and cut branches. Technology.

It would be nice to keep wood mulch for at least a year for aging. Then its value will increase, it will not so acidify the soil. The material should be spread in a uniform layer of 8-10 cm over the surface of the soil, and so that it does not take away the nitrogen they need from the plants, then moisten it with a 5% solution of urea or nitroammophoska. Mulching will allow you to get a healthy, delicious harvest tomatoes - there is no doubt about the enormous benefits of this agricultural method. Believe me, if your tomato bushes could speak, you would definitely hear words of gratitude for your attention and care.

Small eggshell. Mulching tomatoes with forest litter.

Gardeners who have forest plantations near their greenhouses prefer to mulch tomatoes in greenhouses with forest litter. It is necessary to expend some effort to collect such a mulch, but the forest cover brings many useful microorganisms to the tomatoes, and the lower layer of the forest bedding is already ready-made humus.

It will also be an excellent fertilizer for tomatoes. In addition, the forest cover will carry out disease prevention and get rid of almost all tomato pests. The collection of such a layer is best done in coniferous or mixed forest belts in places where grass does not grow from under it.

Having collected upper part the litter must be grabbed and the top layer of the earth to a depth of about 5 cm. For the convenience of this procedure, you can use a hoe or chopper to hill potatoes. 6 sacks of potatoes are enough for a greenhouse, the size of which is 3x6 meters.

This composition is used to mulch tomatoes in greenhouses. The advantages of using forest litter over sawdust or peat are the presence of a diverse number of bacteria and microorganisms that process organic matter. Since its bottom layer is humus, it is already a good fertilizer in itself.

This composition has properties to suppress pathogens, which is an excellent prevention of diseases and pests of tomatoes. In general, tomatoes are very good at this procedure and at the same time weeds practically do not germinate, and those that have made their way are quite easily removed.

Beveled lawn grass we always raked it with a fan rake and transferred it to a compost heap, where it rotted along with weeds and organic waste and after 3 years became a nutritious fertilizer.

When the “fashion” for mulching captured almost all the neighbors and this technique showed positive results, I decided to introduce the technique on my site as well. At first I tried it on moisture-loving cucumbers and peppers, and a couple of years ago, after a long debate with my mother, I began to mulch with cut grass and tomatoes.

The reason for our disagreement lay in the myth that tomatoes do not like moisture, and mulching is supposed to keep it in the soil. Mom was very afraid that the tomatoes in the greenhouse would get sick and the crop would be lost.

But everything ended in success: the tomatoes grew strong, the fruits ripened together and there was no late blight. Since then, cut grass has always been present in the tomato beds in the open field and in the greenhouse.

The main purpose of mulch is to protect the soil from excessive evaporation of moisture. But there are a number of other tangible benefits for gardeners when using grass clippings as "covering" material for tomatoes.

soil improvement

This goal will not be achieved immediately: you will notice the first signs of improving the structure of the soil only by the middle of summer, when the lower layers of the cut grass laid on the beds are overgrown.

Well, you will get the maximum result on next year: decayed organics will enrich the earth in the open field and in the greenhouse with elements important for the development of plants. Besides:

warm soil with inclusions of mowed grass will attract worms that will process organic matter into easily digestible elements;
semi-decomposed organic matter will make the soil loose and lush, which will create comfortable conditions for the growth and development of the root system of cultivated plants;
useful soil bacteria take an active part in the decomposition of organic matter, which, in the course of their life, improve the composition of the soil and make it nutritious.

The mulching layer protects street and greenhouse beds from the formation of a soil crust. You will not need to loosen to provide air for the root system and aerobic bacteria.

Disease protection

How can mulching tomatoes with cut grass protect the crop from diseases? My mother was sure that the constant moisture of the soil would lead to rot, fungi and, in particular, late blight.

In fact, mycoses affect this crop not because of moisture in the beds, but mainly because of pathogenic flora on the stems and leaves of plants.

Everyone noticed that when watering from a watering can, the earth on the beds seemed to be sprayed. Gardeners after evening "events" sometimes have to take a shower to wash the earth off their feet and shoes.

But not only we suffer from this feature of manual watering: soil particles, together with pathogens, fall on the stems and leaves of tomatoes, which causes specific diseases: rot, late blight and spotting.

The mulching layer that covers the surface of the bed softens water flows, preventing the formation of a crust, and also prevents soil particles from falling on the delicate stems and foliage of tomatoes.

In combination with regular spraying with Fitosporin solution, covering the soil with mowed grass gives a rather impressive result - tomatoes grow strong and resistant to diseases.

Another tangible benefit in disease prevention is based on the processes of overdrying grass cuts laid on beds with tomatoes. In the process of decomposition, a comfortable environment is formed for the reproduction of hay bacillus, which acts depressingly on the fungal microflora.

Weed protection

Mulching allows gardeners to significantly save their strength. A thick, dry layer of grass clippings keeps weed seeds out of the beds, so you don't have to constantly weed.

Mowed grass, laid on beds with tomatoes, helps to fight perennial weeds. Germinating horsetail, sorrel, bindweed and couch grass under a thick layer of mulch will not have enough light for full development.

In 2 years, I managed to completely remove perennial weeds from the greenhouse: I regularly inspected the beds and cut off the pale shoots at ground level. As a result, the roots that did not receive sunlight for a long time died off, and I no longer encounter this problem.

On weed-protected beds, tomatoes receive all the nutrients and moisture that they need for full development and abundant fruiting.

In addition, the lack of weeding has a positive effect on plant health: pulling out weeds with an overgrown root system, we often harm the delicate roots of tomatoes, tomatoes are forced to redirect their forces to restoration at the expense of productivity.

thermostat effect

Both greenhouse and ground tomatoes require constantly maintained comfortable conditions. The mulch layer acts as a thermostat, keeping the soil temperature about the same during the day and at night.

Dried cut grass acquires a light shade and reflects the sun's rays, preventing the soil from overheating, and the airiness of the layer ensures constant air exchange and optimal ventilation.

At night, the mulch pad maintains comfortable temperature readings, preventing the soil from cooling down along with the air. This factor will be especially appreciated by your tomatoes growing in the open field.

For outdoor tomatoes, which can suffer from diurnal temperature changes, it is recommended to organize a thick (8-10 cm) mulch layer and maintain its height throughout the season.

Yield increase

Mulching with mowed grass has a positive effect on the yield of this crop. From my own experience I will say that the fruiting period of mulched tomatoes lasts 2-3 weeks longer, which is very important for the middle lane.

This is due to the above effect of the thermostat: the culture, having felt the influence of daily temperature changes, “turns off” the processes of formation of new ovaries and redirects all forces to the ripening of the largest fruits.

In addition, mulching helps:

increasing the illumination of foliage and fruits of tomatoes due to the reflection of sunlight from lightened dry grass;
accelerated ripening of fruits due to the release of ethylene during the decomposition of mowed grass;
increase the keeping quality of fruits due to the influence of ethylene released into the air.

In addition to all these advantages, one can also highlight the significant aesthetics of tomato beds mulched with mowed grass. In the greenhouse and in the open field, there is noticeably less dirt and dust, it is pleasant to work in such a neat area.

Cons of the technique

But the use of mowed grass for mulching tomatoes can also have negative sides:

Mulching retains moisture in the soil, this positive factor can be harmful if not done properly. organized care. If you water the tomatoes according to the previous scheme (copiously once every 1-2 weeks), this will inevitably lead to rotting of the root system of the culture. After organizing the mulch layer, you will need to reduce the amount of water and shed the beds "according to indications", with significant drying of the soil.
If you don't mow your lawn every week, there is a risk that the mulching material will contain grass seeds. Their transfer to the beds over time will lead to the inevitable germination of the weed.
The heat released during the decomposition of the cut grass can attract rodents and moles, which will damage the roots of the crop.
During decomposition, nitrogen is released into the soil. An excess of this element can lead to the development of green mass to the detriment of fruiting, so it is additionally necessary to enrich the soil with potassium and phosphorus.

You will learn more about the technique of mulching tomatoes and the benefits of the technique from the video:

It is not enough just to lay freshly cut grass on the tomato beds and wait for positive results. This technology has its own subtleties:

for mulching, it is better to use dried and even dried mowed grass - it will form an air layer and will not rot;
before mulching, prepare the beds - spill them well and pull out all the weeds;
the mulch layer should not be too close to the stems of the tomatoes; in order to avoid decay, leave small “tunnels” around the plants in the material;
do not rush to lay the cut grass in the spring on the beds - the earth should warm up well;
keep an eye on the height of the mulch in the tomato beds and constantly lay the mowed grass.

At the end of harvesting, the mulch should be buried shallow in the ground. Gradually rotting, it will become valuable organic fertilizer for crops, and also significantly improve the structure of the soil, making it loose and airy.

Mulching is laying on beds with vegetable crops , in our case - with tomatoes, various materials.

They can be of organic or artificial origin, but they have only one function: regulation of the moisture and air regime of the soil.

In more accessible terms, mulch keeps the soil from drying out. If it is present, a dense crust is not formed on the soil surface that interferes with air exchange. But she has others useful qualities:

mulch laid out on the beds, does not let in the rays of the sun. Therefore, weeds that destroy garden crops do not sprout on them;
under the layer the soil stays moist longer, crumbly, therefore, watering and loosening are required by plants much less frequently. Which means reduced labor costs;
organic materials touch the surface of the ridge with their bottom layer, which begins to rot, turning into a favorite food of earthworms, processing it into humus. Thus, tomatoes get more and necessary fertilizers. Often, in this situation, you can do without constant top dressing or significantly reduce their number;
prevents evaporation of water from the surface of the ridge. Tomatoes are watered quite abundantly. But in a greenhouse, the evaporating water is in a closed space. An increased level of humidity is created, which is harmful to the tomato. It leads to the appearance of phytophthora and various kinds of fungal diseases. Mulch separates the sprout from the moist soil, which keeps the plant healthy throughout the growing season;
simplifies the procedure for watering seedlings. The jet of water during this process does not erode the soil.

Types of mulch

To cover the soil use various materials . They are divided into industrial and natural.

to industrial include films and various kinds of non-woven fabrics. Some of them are able to pass water and air, while others are not. In addition, they can have different color shades.

Reference. Agronomists advise using in the cultivation of greenhouse tomatoes red coatings. Good and black. But the latter quickly heat up.

The most optimal industrial coatings for nightshade are considered Agrotex materials and the like, but for many summer residents, the purchase of such becomes unnecessarily expensive.

Therefore, they are replaced with roofing felt, cardboard, black polyethylene, or even just old newspapers.

Organic coatings for tomatoes are much healthier. Decaying, they turn into humus, providing plants with additional nutrition. The soil is saturated due to this various trace elements, and which ones - depends on the material.

Organic mulch can serve:

straw and hay;
compost;
humus;
peat;
forest floor with a soil layer. (It is considered the best organic mulch that can significantly improve the composition of the soil);
wood shavings and sawdust;
crushed tree bark;
young weeds without seeds;
needles and fallen leaves.

Sometimes mulching is carried out using pebbles, small gravel and expanded clay. But they bring little benefit, besides, removing them from the ridges is problematic.

Now in more detail about the mulching procedure using some of the above materials.

Straw

Great choice for greenhouse tomatoes. Its coverage of 10 cm, having settled down, will decrease by about 3 times, but protect shoots from anthracnose, rot and spotted leaves.

Straw freely provides air passage to the roots of seedlings and acts as a good thermal insulator. But in such an environment it is easy insect pests or rodents can start.

Grass

Weeded weeds, mowed grass, as well as stepsons removed from tomatoes are suitable for this purpose. The layer must be taken such that when it dries, its height is not less than 5 cm. Grass decomposes quickly, will have to be renewed, but it will saturate the earth with nitrogen.

Leaves and needles

In addition to trace elements, forest floor provides beneficial bacteria to the soil. It will and mulch, and at the same time fertilizer. It is better to take it in a coniferous or deciduous forest.

Sawdust and tree bark

Strong and very durable material. It retains moisture well, therefore it is simply ideal for a greenhouse. It is necessary to lay dry sawdust 8 cm thick, then it is recommended to spill it with a five percent solution of urea. The soil should not oxidize; for this purpose, ordinary chalk is evenly poured onto the sawdust, and slaked lime can also be used. It is able to neutralize the resulting chemical reaction acetic acid.

Compost

Prepared from various waste: garbage, straw, uprooted weeds, scraps of paper, other similar materials. After rotting and decomposition in the compost pit, they become an excellent nutrient mixture that is quickly processed by worms.

Note! Compost - even unnecessarily useful fertilizer , the excess of which will lead to the fact that the plant will increase its green mass, but by no means set fruit.

Film

Choose strong and opaque, then it can resist weeds. The film should be pressed firmly to the ground.

When using it, it may decay of plant roots or their infection with fungal diseases. Reason - high humidity under cover.

Newspapers and cardboard

Paper is recycled wood. Any newspaper that is shredded and laid out will do. 15 cm layer. You can put compost or straw on top, then the paper will not be blown away by the wind. Through such actions ground temperature will increase by at least 2 degrees, and the layer will last about two years. It is better to turn the paper over so that it does not sag.

Non-woven covering fabric

Its porous structure easily passes moisture and air. Lasts about 5 years protecting plants from fungus, pests or rot. The most practical is geotextile but it is expensive. Perhaps this is his only drawback.

Ruberoid

Durable, reliable. Does not allow weeds to germinate, does not allow sunlight to pass to the seedlings. Nonetheless, too toxic and can harm tomatoes and soil.

When to carry out this procedure?

Mulch, as mentioned above, retains moisture in the soil and keeps sunlight out of it. That's why it matters whether the greenhouse as a whole is heated or not.

Laying the layer should take place in an unheated greenhouse where the earth is not heated artificially. This should be done after the frost has passed, and the earth warmed up already quite deeply.

If a heated greenhouse, mulching is carried out at any time when the plants are planted.

The laying technology is determined by the selected coating. Loose mulch is poured between plants. The layer should be several centimeters. BUT leave a small space around the stem to freely water the shoots.

Conclusion

Properly carried out mulching of tomatoes in a greenhouse will significantly reduce the gardener's efforts to grow tomatoes. Weeding, watering and loosening will need to be carried out less often. But this procedure helps to grow a rich and, most importantly, healthy crop!

Useful video

You can learn more about the mulching process from the video:

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