The root system of raspberries develops very quickly, while it is highly susceptible to drying and freezing, since it is very close to the surface of the earth, at a depth of no more than 30 cm.
Raspberry mulching is an important procedure that allows you to create a protective barrier and comfortable conditions for the development of the bush. Depending on the region of planting, the selected variety, the characteristics of the weather in a particular summer period, gardeners choose the best way. How to mulch raspberries and in what period of time, we will consider in the article.
Raspberry bush
Mulching raspberries: goals and objectives
- In the first two years of the life of a raspberry bush, protection against temperature fluctuations is of particular importance;
- Optimization of the water-air regime;
- Regulation of heating and cooling of the soil cover;
- Additional soil fertilization in the process of decomposition of raspberry mulch;
- Maintaining optimal soil moisture;
- Restraining the growth of weeds and overgrowth;
- Acceleration of the ripening process of berries;
- Protection of roots from weathering;
- Protecting plants from pests and diseases;
- Improving the aesthetic appearance of the garden.
Mulching raspberries
How to mulch raspberries
Every gardener who wonders what is the best way to mulch raspberries should proceed from what material is available to him in sufficient quantities at the time of the procedure.
The best materials are recognized:
- Manure;
- Compost;
- Straw;
- Hay;
- Leaves;
- Humus;
- Peat.
For maximum efficiency, the mulching layer can be combined from several materials. Drier materials will promote air exchange, while heavier materials will protect against weather and weeds.
Can I put sawdust under raspberries? Sawdust is the most popular material among summer residents. However, experts agree that this is not the best choice, since they are caked, and after the spring melting of the snow, they completely turn into a crust that cannot be loosened. Sawdust also does not prevent weeds from growing. The negative consequences of using sawdust include soil acidification and nitrogen leaching. Therefore, when deciding whether or not to apply sawdust under raspberries, it is best to be guided by the principle of having a sufficient amount of other materials. If you only have sawdust at hand, then it is better to use them for spring mulching. To increase the nitrogen content, you can make additional fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. It is also best to use composted sawdust whenever possible.
Sawdust mulching
In autumn, raspberries need to be prepared for the upcoming frost and possible temperature changes due to the lack of snow cover. Organic matter is best suited for these purposes: peat, straw, compost, humus or foliage.
How to mulch raspberries in spring:
- Manure is required, since after winter the soil is depleted;
- Straw, hay, wood chips or twigs.
Description of basic materials
Manure is popular as a mulch, but its advantage is that it additionally serves as a fertilizer. Since this agent is very heavy, it is not worth bringing it in in early spring - manure mulch will interfere with the heating of the soil. The optimal time for mulching with manure is May, when the shoots from dormant buds have grown by 30 cm.The layer should be no more than 10 cm, an excess of manure makes the root system lazy, as it constantly receives a large dose of fertilizer. Because of this, the roots can dry out in summer and freeze in winter.
Compost is more suitable for spring and autumn mulching. It is lighter than manure, does not ram and does not form a crust after winter, so it is perfect as a base layer. Compost is rich in nitrogen, so don't make a layer that is too thick, 5 cm will be enough. Compost mulching is carried out after mineral fertilization.
Using compost for mulching raspberries
Peat in combination with compost is an excellent mulching material in any season of the year. It is worth taking care only of its quality, choose a looser texture.
Hay tends to rot a lot, does not protect the soil from frost and heat, and carries weed seeds, therefore it is not very popular. Straw is a better option, especially if used in tandem with peat, humus and rotted manure. Moreover, in the process of decomposition, it enriches the soil. To get a good effect, the straw layer must be at least 10 cm, then it is good both as a temperature regulator and protects against weeds with dignity. During the dacha season, if possible, straw should be added under the bushes, as it thickens.
Mulching the soil with straw
The needles are perfect for mulching raspberries in spring and autumn. The needles decompose slowly and give off heat evenly, so their ability to thermoregulate is high. Also, this material kills pathogenic bacteria. Pine litter is a priority mulch. The only thing worth paying attention to is the acidity of the soil, since coniferous needles have the ability to acidify it.
Sunflower husk is well suited for mulching, it has the same properties as needles. The problem lies in its light weight, accordingly, even with a slight wind, it will inflate around the site. It exhibits its best qualities when the layer is slightly caked. The problem with this material also lies in the fact that it can be difficult to find a sufficient amount, the layer thickness must be at least 5 cm.
Artificial materials - agrofibre, plastic wrap, spunbond. The main advantage of these products is maximum weed protection. They will not appear in the spring, since the lack of light will prevent them from germinating. Due to the dark color of the material, the earth warms up well, this accelerates the ripening process of the crop by about a week. The disadvantage of this method is the complexity of laying the material under the bushes, you need to make slots and use clamps (brackets, wire).
Using agrofibre to mulch raspberries
You can mow the grass to create a mulch layer. This method is very simple and effective, because the grass retains heat and moisture well, and becomes a fertilizer when rotted. The main thing is to choose grass without seeds and mow in dry weather, the damp grass will rot. If this is not possible, then try to dry the grass. The optimal herbal mulch layer is 5 cm.
Some more tips
- Newspapers may well become mulching material. Summer residents are afraid to use this method because of the printing ink. But modern paints are absolutely safe. Newspapers can be used whole or shredded into pieces. They need to be laid out under raspberries in 4 layers and covered with a thin layer of earth or straw. This method is great for controlling weeds. Those who have tried this method have noticed that the yield of raspberries has increased, which means that decomposed paper becomes a good fertilizer for the bushes;
- The leaves are popular as fall mulch as they are very readily available at this time of year. However, they do not protect the roots from frost. But insect larvae, fungal spores and other pests calmly overwinter in fallen leaves, and in the spring they will move to raspberries.Therefore, it is better to load the leaves into the compost pit and use leaf compost as spring mulch. This method is safe and effective;
- Before the autumn mulching, the area must be well watered at the rate of 50 l / m2. This method will protect the soil from freezing quickly;
- Before choosing a mulching material, you should think about whether this layer is needed at all on the site. It is necessary to proceed, first of all, from the characteristics of the soil. On waterlogged soils or in the absence of a drainage system, mulching is not necessary, this will only aggravate the situation, and the roots will begin to rot.
A rich harvest of raspberries is the result of proper mulching
There are a lot of ways to mulch raspberries. By the method of samples, you can choose the best option for your site, then the raspberries will delight the owner with a rich harvest.
