What is mulching, why is it needed and is it possible to mulch tomatoes with sawdust: tips and tricks

For many, gardening is an exciting hobby and an opportunity to spend time productively. Using simple and inexpensive agricultural techniques, it is quite possible to achieve amazing fertility. For example, with proper care and creation of optimal conditions in a greenhouse, the yield of tomatoes varies from 11 to 26 kg per bush.

But a high harvest is the result not only and not so much of physical labor, but rather of a rational approach to the use of land.

In this article we will talk about one of the ways to increase the yield of tomatoes - mulching, including sawdust.

What is mulching and why is it necessary?

Mulching is the covering of the soil surface with mulch, an organic or inorganic material that has a positive effect on crop yields.

This agricultural technique:

• improves soil properties;
• protects it from drying out and weathering;
• enriches with useful substances;
• reduces weed growth;
• strengthens the root system of plants;
• reduces time and effort for plant care.

How to Use Mulching as Fertilizer

Grass mulch and other organic materials gradually decomposes, under the influence of microorganisms turning into humus and fertilizing the soil. The type of material used determines which microelements the soil will be enriched with.

For example, pine mulch slightly increases the acidity of the soil, which is useful for crops such as sorrel, chicory, potatoes, radishes, tomatoes, carrots, and pumpkin.

Purpose and technology

There are 3 methods of mulching: traditional (loosening), organic and inorganic.

Each has its own advantages:

1. Traditional, or loosening. After watering or rain, it keeps the soil moist and cool longer, reduces moisture evaporation, destroys weeds, and increases the supply of oxygen to the soil.
2. Organic, or covering with organic materials. Straw, grass clippings, compost, humus, sawdust and wood chips, peat, pine needles and even old newspapers and cardboard are used as organic matter. This method protects the soil from drying out and weeds, increases fertility, prevents the proliferation of slugs and pests, and structures the soil.
3. Inorganic, or covering with inorganic materials. These include films, nonwoven materials, pebbles, crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay, and coarse sand. The method is used to protect against drying out, weeds, pests and to prevent rot (fruits and berries do not come into contact with the ground). This mulching maintains the loose structure of the soil.

When is it carried out?

The main mulching is carried out in autumn and spring.

In the fall, the soil is mulched after the harvest is complete, in early to mid-October. The beds are covered, without compacting, with manure, humus, and fallen leaves in a layer of 5-8 cm. In the spring, such mulch is removed onto a compost heap or embedded in the ground by digging or loosening.

Spring mulching is carried out after the soil has warmed up within +12…+14°C.

Mulching tomatoes - advantages

It is useful to mulch tomatoes in the greenhouse and when planting in open ground.

This technique:

• protects roots from drying out and overheating;
• destroys weeds;
• prevents diseases that occur when plant parts come into contact with the soil;
• saves time and effort on care;
• reduces the frequency of watering;
• enriches the soil with useful substances (if organic mulch is used);
• accelerates the ripening of tomatoes by 7-10 days;
• increases productivity up to 30%.

Tomatoes in open ground mulch when the soil has warmed up well and there are no longer night frosts.

Before covering the beds with mulch, the soil is well loosened or dug, watered, and weeds are removed.

The soil is covered with organic mulch after planting the seedlings. The layer thickness is made 3-6 cm, while leaving a small space around the stem necessary for watering. Artificial materials are first laid out and stretched on the surface of the beds, and then holes are made in them for planting and watering.

In heated greenhouses and greenhouses, mulching is carried out at any time of the year. In unheated ones - after the earth has warmed up. Otherwise, the process is similar to mulching in open ground.

How to mulch tomatoes: types of mulch and application

The general principles of mulching as an agrotechnical technique are also applicable for the cultivation of tomatoes; there is no special “tomato” mulch. However, when using generally accepted materials, some nuances must be taken into account.

Use of synthetic covering materials

The most common are films and nonwovens. Let's look at them in detail.

Polyethylene film

The film for mulching tomatoes should be red, opaque and durable to suppress the growth of weeds. You need to cover the soil under the tomatoes tightly; this will increase the soil temperature by 1-2ºC.

When using such material in greenhouses, air humidity is significantly reduced due to low evaporation of moisture from the soil. This prevents the development of fungal diseases.

Before laying the film, feed the plants with complex fertilizer or sprinkle with compost.

Keep in mind that the film does not allow air to pass through; in hot weather the soil overheats, which can lead to the death of plants. Therefore, the film is removed from time to time to ventilate the beds.

Nonwovens

Non-woven fabrics (spunbond, lutrasil) are considered “breathable”; they allow air and water to pass through, but at the same time they retain heat well and protect plants from freezing. The material chosen is black. When used in greenhouses, it will last from 3 to 5 years, protecting tomatoes from weeds, pests and fungal diseases.

Use of organic materials

Organic mulching materials have proven themselves well in growing tomatoes. They are inexpensive (and often free) and quite accessible. Let's look at some of them.

Straw

Straw is an excellent heat insulator; during cold nights it protects the soil surface from freezing. Under the straw mulch, the soil is moist and loose. A layer of straw on the beds is a good prevention of tomato diseases: early rot, anthracnose, leaf spot. In addition, by slowly rotting, straw contributes to soil fertility.

The disadvantage of straw mulch is that a thick layer harbors rodents and pests. Therefore, the straw needs to be removed and renewed from time to time.

Compost

Mulching tomatoes with compost is very effective. Any type of organic waste is suitable for it. For mulching, a 3 cm layer of compost is sufficient.

However, compost requires careful handling. It is better to mix it with other types of mulch, as it is quickly processed by worms.

Freshly cut grass or hay

Freshly cut grass and weeded out young weeds are often used to cover the soil. The grass decomposes quickly, so the layer must be thick so that after settling its height is at least 5 cm. At the same time, the soil is abundantly enriched with nitrogen and microelements. The rotting process attracts worms, which further loosen the soil.

The disadvantage of this type of mulch is its rapid decomposition; the grass layer will have to be renewed frequently.

Be sure to dry the weeds and grass in the sun before laying them in the beds to get rid of parasitic insects.

Sawdust

Sawdust is another available type of mulch. Fresh sawdust retains moisture in the soil and improves its structure. Sawdust takes a long time to decompose; it is best to use it by mixing it with compost.

We’ll tell you in more detail about whether it’s possible to mulch tomatoes with sawdust in a greenhouse. in the following sections articles.

Read also:

What you can’t and what you can plant hot peppers with next to.

We are growing a record harvest of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse.

A guest in the garden, named after a star: the Canopus tomato.

Mulching tomatoes with sawdust

Sawdust is suitable for mulching any type of soil.

Sawdust mulch has many useful properties:

• retains moisture in the soil, regulates water balance;
• prevents weed growth;
• protects from contamination;
• repels tomato pests;
• improves soil structure;
• accelerate fruit ripening by 7-10 days;
• increases productivity.

In addition, woody organic matter is more durable than grass or straw.This mulch does not require frequent updating. Sawdust can be used to mulch tomatoes both in the greenhouse and in the open ground. The technique is especially effective in areas with prolonged droughts.

However, sawdust also has its disadvantages. Fresh sawdust increases the acidity of the soil and, when decomposed, absorbs nitrogen from the soil; sawdust from coniferous trees can negatively affect the microflora of the beds.

However, knowing all the nuances of using sawdust mulch for tomatoes, negative effects can be successfully avoided.

How to properly mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse with sawdust - nuances

When mulching with wood material, follow a number of simple rules:

1. Use only well-dried material. Wet sawdust cakes, which can cause tomatoes to become damp.
2. Before laying on the beds, moisten them generously with nitrogen fertilizer, for example, a 5% urea solution.
3. Mixing sawdust with compost in a 1:1 ratio will help maintain the balance of nutrients.
4. Sprinkle chalk or slaked lime over the sawdust mulch layer to avoid excessive acidification of the soil.
5. Lay sawdust in a uniform layer of 5-8 cm, otherwise it will not be possible to prevent the growth of weeds. Be sure to leave a distance to the stems for watering.
6. Soil preparation is required. Weeds are removed from the garden bed, the soil is dug up or loosened, and watered.
7. Sawdust should be laid in the spring after planting seedlings in well-warmed soil at a temperature of the root layer of about +12... +14ºС.

Important! Mulching with sawdust is not done in its pure form.

How not to mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse

Tomatoes in a greenhouse cannot be mulched with materials that, when decomposed, form harmful substances, for example, roofing felt.

Do not use clear film as it does not block the sun's rays and the weeds will continue to grow. Under the transparent film, the soil overheats greatly, which can lead to the death of tomatoes.

Cardboard, newspapers, paper are too light and dry out quickly. Their use in greenhouses is undesirable.

Fresh manure can “burn” plant roots or lead to rapid growth of green mass to the detriment of fruits.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to use pine bark - its resin destroys tomatoes.

Using pure peat for mulching tomatoes is not advisable, as it strongly oxidizes the soil.

Gardener mistakes

If mulching did not give the expected result, most likely errors were made during execution.

The most common mistakes when mulching with sawdust:

1. The use of clean sawdust without prior application of nitrogen fertilizers. When sawdust decomposes, it impoverishes the soil and there will be no increased yield.
2. Using fresh sawdust without treatment with chalk or slaked lime. The acidity of the soil increases sharply, which negatively affects the growth of tomatoes.
3. Sawdust is added to unheated soil. Sawdust is a heat insulator. Laying sawdust on cold soil prevents its further warming up, and the growing season slows down.
4. Sawdust was laid during a wet period or on too wet soil. Rotting processes occur, which can cause plants to die.
5. Mulching was carried out on dry soil. The process of soaking the soil with water is difficult; tomatoes suffer from a lack of moisture. A layer of mulch laid on dry ground is quickly blown away by the wind.
6. The layer height is incorrectly selected. A layer that is too thick cakes quickly and prevents oxygen from reaching the roots. Too thin will not protect against weeds and will not retain moisture well.The optimal layer height for sawdust is 5-8 cm.
7. Mulching untreated soil. A layer of mulch will not kill already growing weeds and will not make compacted soil loose.

Useful tips

The mulching process benefits not only vegetables, berries and fruit trees. The paths are covered with chips or sawdust - this protects them from erosion and weeds. The mulch layer should be 8-10 cm thick.

Tree bark can be used to mulch flower beds. This will increase their decorative value.

Conclusion

Mulching is a simple but effective agricultural technique. Covering the soil surface with inorganic or organic materials retains moisture, protects against weeds, pests and diseases, enriches the beds with nutrients (if the mulch is organic), keeps the fruit clean, accelerates ripening, and increases productivity.

Compliance with mulching rules is of great importance. This procedure is performed only on heated and prepared soil (free from weeds, loosened, watered). Remember that each mulching material has its own characteristics of use. By following all the simple rules, you will get a high yield, significantly reducing time and labor costs.