Mulching with cut grass is one of the many successful moves in agrotechnical measures. Why this kind of mulching? Probably, for those who doubt, two arguments will be enough: cheapness (or, more precisely, free of charge) and benefit (naturalness). Let's consider each of the arguments in more detail.
1. Cheap
Why is grass clipping the most beneficial? If only because you get the necessary material from your site. Mowed grass can and should be left in this area, but you need to do it wisely (we'll tell you how to do it right later).
2. Benefit
Covering the soil with grass allows you to retain both moisture and beneficial trace elements. In addition, you create a so-called air cushion, achieving natural temperature regulation (the soil is not so hot in the heat, and it does not freeze so much in the cold), and you prevent natural erosion. But the main plus is the help of worms and microorganisms, which, eating the remains of organic matter, give out in returnhumus and improve the structure of the earth. And this, in turn, has a very beneficial effect on the development of plants and fertility. Therefore, we can safely say: mulching with mowed grass allows not only to return the impoverished soil to its previous state, but to make it more fertile.
Mulch prevents the fertile layers from being washed out during prolonged rains, distributes moisture more evenly, prevents weeds from growing rapidly, reduces the need for fertilization, since it is an independent top dressing. With all this, there is an increase in the process of assimilation of nutrients by plants, since the soil does not compact under a layer of mulch, which means that the roots are better supplied with oxygen.
As an example, consider mulching potatoes. For the sake of the experiment, part of the bed was planted with potatoes in the usual manner, followed by “usual” care, the second part was “covered” with mowed grass. In the first case, potatoes often had to be weeded, hilled and watered, in the second - only watered. With an equal amount of single application of fertilizer, mulching allowed not only to get rid of weeding, but also to achieve higher yields.
It is very appropriate to mulch raspberries like this. Since its roots are almost on the surface (on average, at a depth of 20 cm), summer drying and winter freezing without mulching are simply inevitable. And the consequence is disease, crop loss and even the death of a shrub. Mulching with cut grass allows you to protect the roots all year round,regardless of the season. With constant, annual mulching, the fertile layer gradually grows, humus reserves increase, fewer shoots are formed, which means that it becomes easier to deal with overgrowth.
If we convinced you, and you decide to choose grass as a mulching material, pay attention to a few rules:
- cut grass should be "young", i.e. seedless;
- before mulching, the grass must be dried: freshly cut greens will lie on the ground in a dense layer and will not let air through, as a result of which a fungus can start that is difficult to fight;
- lay out mulch on flowerbeds and beds only in a thin layer, periodically adding it.
If there is too much grass, leave the excess for compost. By mixing the leftovers with bonemeal and limestone this year, next year you will make an excellent organic fertilizer.
Good harvests!
