Mulching is an agronomic technique, which makes it possible to improve the biological activity of the soil naturally. For this purpose, gardeners and truck farmers enclose plants with natural materials of organic origin. Various microorganisms living in these materials develop, which leads to the decay of organic matter and the formation of humus. The coating formed in this way is able to protect the earth from scorching sun rays, frosts, rains and winds. In addition, useful microflora propagates in the earth, and weeds grow more slowly.
A few years ago the main material for mulching was straw, wood shavings or manure, but the requirements of modern gardeners for the quality of the soil are no longer limited. I want the site to look aesthetically pleasing, and scattered manure does not favor this. That is why today, in landscape design, colored decorative wood chips are used, which is used to decorate flower beds, flower beds, alpine hills . So, mulch from decorative chips is an ideal material for creating original drawings and compositions on the site. Another advantage is beauty all year round!
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Rules of mulching by chips
Decorative chips are usually made of wood, nutshells, sawdust or bark. Each of these materials has its own lifetime and characteristic properties. For example, coniferous chips are durable and rich in substances useful for soil. But after its service life has expired, in no case should you dig this compost with soil!
The most optimal option for mulching soil is laying a 5-15-centimeter layer of chips. If the layer, for example, reaches 10 centimeters, it will take about 15 kilograms of chips (bag) per one square meter. Spread this mulch is necessary on the ground in the spring. remember, on the flower beds and flower beds first planted plants, abundantly watered, and only then they pour out the chips, distributing it evenly over the surface. Every year, this coating is updated, adding a centimeter of chips. Usually, the chips are up to four years old, gradually turning into compost.
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Decorative properties: features
There is a huge selection of colors for decorative chips. Colors can be both natural and non-existent for a tree. Typically, the paint for decorative chips is made from environmentally friendly and persistent substances. It is very important that wood chips do not shed, do not stain the ground, enriching it with harmful substances. That's why the first thing that should interest you when buying chips is chemical composition. In addition, it should not be small, large, loose, or caked.
The combination of colors should, of course, be considered before buying decorative chips. It is very important that these colors complement and emphasize the general mood of the flower composition, without eclipsing it at the same time. In the garden, the main thing is plants, not decor.
Chips with own hands
It should be noted immediately that the decorative chips, painted with their own hands, loses its color much faster. Sometimes it happens after the first rain. There are no general recommendations on how to make decorative chips. Some gardeners paint wooden sawdust with a solution of potassium permanganate or a decoction of beet, but it will not be possible to achieve a saturated color in this way. Others soak sawdust in tea brewing or decoction of onion husks, which makes it possible to give the chip a natural brownish hue. You can use for this purpose and green. The most intense color is obtained by soaking the sawdust in a color for water-based paints, but the environmental friendliness of this method is very doubtful.
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