Strawberries are a favorite berry of gardeners. Caring for strawberries is not easy; many difficulties arise in the process. Weeds attack the berry and suffer from drought. The solution to the problem is to plant it under a black covering material. It's very easy to use. Watering strawberries is even easier than before.
Why do you need black strawberry cover film?
Covering sheet, first of all, does not allow weeds to grow over the site... Experienced gardeners know how much harm weeds do to strawberries. They take moisture and nutrients from the soil. To get rid of weeds and forget about weeding, gardeners use non-woven covering material.
Due to its characteristics, it is permeable to air, water and retains the sun's rays. Strawberry bushes, planted under the covering canvas, reliably protected from pests... The berries do not rot and always remain clean. Non-woven agrofibre is sold under various names.
Regardless of the name, nonwovens are classified by types: light, medium and dense... Difference in density. It is customary to cover the beds with light canvases in case of frost. The bushes are covered with black material, as it accumulates heat well.
The service life of the covering film, depending on the density, is 4-12 years, then it needs to be changed.
Advantages and disadvantages of using agrofibre when planting and growing berries
Under the black material, the weeds will not disturb the berry in spring. This is due to the mulching film that does not let the sun's rays through. Inside, under the film, a microclimate favorable for plants is formed.
Main advantages:
- the soil well ventilated and does not dry out;
- the soil does not require mulching and loosening;
- the berry under the film forms adventitious roots;
- antennae practically do not require cutting;
- under black material berries ripen faster;
- the occurrence of diseases and pests is practically excluded.
This method allows you to grow delicious berries with a minimum of labor time. There is no need for weeding, loosening, frequent watering and trimming the mustache. Weed grass, dying under a covering blanket, acts as an organic fertilizer... If we talk about the shortcomings, they were not found.
One of the difficult moments is the process of equipping a bed for planting strawberries with a black covering cloth.
Types that can be used for mulching
Many color solutions of films of different densities are widely available on sale. Black agrofiber reads high-strength shelter to protect the plant from aggressive environmental influences. The non-woven fabric contains no toxins and allergens.
The types of black material that can be used to cover plants can be divided into two types - polyethylene and non-woven.
- Proven over the years black polyethylene sold in sleeves and rolls. Polyethylene thickness from 0.03 to 0.4 mm. The film copes well with the task, but its strength is enough for 1 season.
- Non-woven black material - an excellent alternative to fragile polyethylene. Outwardly, the materials have similarities, differences in composition and method of production. It can also be called spunbond
- Produced made of polypropylene fibers, under the influence of high temperatures, the film is in demand in organic farming, it is called agrofiber. It must be laid on the right side.
In recent years, gardeners have preferred mulching and covering strawberry beds with black film. 100% ecological covering material will protect from the hot sun rays. With agrofibre you can cover plants and get rid of weeds. The strawberries will be provided with favorable conditions for growth.
How to choose material for planting berries
If you choose black plastic wrap, you should know that it absolutely air and moisture proof... While agrofibre or spunbond allows watering through the garden. Moisture penetrates through the canvas, the soil is enriched with air, receives the required amount of heat and light.
All nonwoven spunbod materials have approximately the same properties, their differences are density. Ideal for agricultural canvas with a density 40-60 g / m2.
Preparing the beds for planting using a covering material
The process of preparing a bed for planting strawberries is as follows:
- First you have to prepare the ground - dig up a bed, remove weeds and apply organic fertilizers.
- The beds should be raised, double-leaf, so it will be easier to fix the canvas.
- Spread the covering material neatly on top of the prepared bed. Fasten the edges firmly... For this purpose, sandbags or DIY hairpins are best suited.
- Place the fabric with the waterproof side facing up.
- In order for the bushes to grow evenly, you can take a cord to mark the holes, which must be pulled in a straight line over the entire length of the garden.
- Make holes for bushes at a distance 25 cm., between rows - 40 cm.
- After the covered bed is prepared, you can plant strawberry seedlings.
Black fiber has two sides: one protects the soil from moisture evaporation, the other allows water to pass through.
Landing under black covering material
When planting strawberry bushes, gardeners often prefer to do ordinary cruciform incisions... For this purpose you need a sharp knife and gloves. A more painstaking approach requires another option. It consists in teething with scissors round holes... The holes should be small; if made too large, weeds will creep through.
You need to plant seedlings in each hole; for this purpose, you can use a wooden peg. It needs to be placed in the hole, twisted to make a hole. After planting, the garden should be watered abundantly. Experienced gardeners put drip irrigation under the film - this is a separate topic.
Care of strawberries under spunbond
Growing strawberries under a cover sheet requires minimal maintenance. All difficulties are associated with the preparation of the garden. You you will need to monitor the integrity of the filmso that it is not damaged by birds and animals. Provide regular watering. Apply organic fertilizers. Trim the antennae if necessary. Harvest on time.
Having considered the advantages of this type of berry cultivation, you can make a choice in favor of a covering material. Having equipped a garden bed, you will ensure good fruiting of strawberries on the site for several years ahead.