Agrofibre - what happens and how to choose the right one?

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Today it is already difficult to imagine how gardeners and gardeners used to do without agrofibre - its use in our days has become so familiar. Netcan, lutrasil, agril or spanbond - whatever you call it, this material helps us by protecting plants from the cold, and from the scorching sun, and from gusty winds. On the shelves of specialized stores you can find agrofibre of different colors and thicknesses. The methods of using one or another brand of goods depend on these indicators. In order to maximize the effect of using agrofibre, we will try to figure out for what purposes which material is better to use.

Benefits of Using Agrofibre

Initially, agrofibre was intended to replace polyethylene in the manufacture of greenhouses. This environmentally friendly, lightweight and durable non-woven material did an excellent job - the microclimate in such a greenhouse contributed to good shoots and plant development. Increased humidity, warmth, free penetration of sunlight and air, protection of crops from birds and insects are solid pluses that make agrofibre an indispensable shelter.

The homogeneous structure of the polymer fiber, treated in a special way, protects plants from increased ultraviolet radiation. But the most important advantage of non-woven material in comparison with polyethylene is the protection of plants from overheating. So that seedlings or seedlings do not burn out on a sunny day, the film must be removed or ventilated, which is quite problematic if you live away from the garden. Agro-fiber plants do not require constant attention.

What is agrofibre?

On sale, you can often find agrofibre of white and black colors, with a density of 17 to 60 g / m². The larger the number, the thicker the fiber. Sometimes bicolor fiber is found in black and yellow or black and white.

White agrofibre with a density of 17 to 23 g / m2

This is a thin agrofibre that transmits sunlight (approximately 80%), air and moisture. It is not pulled over arcs, but laid directly on the soil. Apply such a shelter after sowing seeds in the ground, it does not matter whether it is a vegetable crop, flower or lawn.

The soil, covered with a thin agrofibre, will retain heat and necessary moisture, due to which the seedlings will appear faster and be more friendly. Zelentsy as they grow will be able to raise the fiber, because it is thin and almost weightless, so there is no need to remove it immediately after the appearance of sprouts.

Until the plants get stronger, they will be reliably protected from the sun, and from the wind, and from birds, and from insect pests. Agrofibre 23 g / m thick² able to protect crops from return frosts.

White agrofibre with a density of 30 to 42 g / m2

This denser web transmits approximately 65% of the sunlight. Due to its strength, this agrofibre is suitable not only for sheltering the soil, but also for equipping greenhouses. It is pulled over metal arcs, attached with clamps and fixed with boards or bricks on the soil.

Under this shelter, seedlings can withstand frosts of -5^aboutC. In addition, such a hotbed will protect plants from the scorching sun, wind, hail, and even from snow, if nature suddenly presents such a surprise.

White agrofibre with a density of 50-60 g / m2

This most dense and strong fiber is also used for greenhouses. Plants in these greenhouses can withstand frosts of minus 10^aboutC. In addition, due to its strength, this fabric withstands gusty wind, rain, and hail.

Recently, dense agrofibre has become widely used in unheated greenhouses. Many gardeners with greenhouses made of polycarbonate equip greenhouses with dense agrofibre in them, grow seedlings and greens, while obtaining good results. In the afternoon, the greenhouse warms up, and the greenhouse retains heat throughout the night.

Dense agrofibre is successfully used to shelter wintering trees and shrubs. For small plants, as well as for greenhouses, use arcs or frames over which they sprinkle material. Fruit trees and conifers are wrapped with agrofibre and secured with twine. This measure protects plants not only from freezing, but also from sunburn, which often appears on trees in early spring.

In areas with severe frosty winters, it is recommended to cover plants with agrofibre, folded in two or three layers. The air gap formed between the layers will create additional heat, and the plants will not suffer even in the most severe frosts.

Black agrofibre with a density of 50-60 g / m2

Dense black agrofibre is most often used as a mulching material. It is laid directly on a bed dug up and fertilized with fertilizers. The edges of the fabric are fixed with special studs or pressed with boards. On the fiber, at necessary intervals, cuts are made crosswise and plants are planted in the holes formed.

Read more about mulching with agrofibre in the material Details about mulching the soil.

Most often, this method is used when growing garden strawberries, while killing several birds with one stone:

watering is reduced, because the soil under the spanbond does not overheat and does not dry out;
there is no need for constant weeding - weeds cannot break through dense tissue;
the berry remains clean even during heavy rains and, as a result, there is no rot and other troubles, which often occur from the contact of the fruit with the ground;
soil pests, especially slugs, so often bothering strawberries, can not do any harm to the berry.

Black agrofibre is also used in growing vegetables, acting on the same principle as when planting strawberries. After harvesting, the fertilized plants are harvested, and lutrasil is shaken out, dried and stored for storage until next year.

On the beds with strawberries, the non-woven fabric can remain for several years until it becomes worthless, but by that time, as a rule, it is time to update the planting of the berry.

Black lutrasil is often used in landscape design. When laying garden paths, agrofibre is laid under tiles, and when arranging decorative islands - under marble chips, bark, wood chips or cones. If this is not done, then weeds appearing here and there will break the harmony and add unnecessary work to combat weeds.

Black-yellow and black-and-white agrofibre

Both species are an improved version of black fiber. They are used as a mulching material and laid on the soil with the light side up. At the same time, the black side does not let in sunlight and does not allow weeds to grow, and the light side prevents overheating of the soil. Two-color agrofibre is also used in landscape design, as a lining for light marble chips.

Many beginner summer residents confuse concepts such as agrofibre and agrofabric (agrotextile). These are different materials: agrofibre is NOTwoven material, and agrofabric, respectively, woven. The density of agrotextiles is much higher - 90, 100, 120, 130 g / m² and it is used mainly for mulching.

How long does agrofiber last?

Agrofibre service life depends on many indicators:

on strength - as a rule, dense fiber grades have higher strength and last longer;
UV stabilization (from decomposition of the material under the influence of sunlight) - in the presence of this indicator in the agrofibre, the shelter will last about 3 years;
careful use - if during operation it was possible to avoid fiber breaks, which often happens from gusts of wind and improper fastening, then agrofibre will also serve for several years.

Even if the agrofibre breaks and cannot be used as a greenhouse, the mulching and heat-storing properties of the material will not go anywhere. Damaged canvas can be used when sheltering perennials for the winter, mulching the soil, arranging small seedling beds - schools.

In general, as shown by many years of experience, the use of agrofibre in gardening, gardening and landscape design is not a luxury. This inexpensive but durable material allows you to effectively solve a variety of problems, thereby facilitating the work of growing healthy plants and improving the site.