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Perhaps every gardener knows what spruce branches are. This type of shelter is firmly entrenched in the list of the most popular for garden crops. But does everyone use it correctly? This is what we will try to find out.
What is spruce and how to collect it
Lapnik is usually called the branches of coniferous trees. Most often, pine, spruce, and fir become the source for obtaining spruce branches. Such a shelter significantly increases the frost resistance of horticultural crops. This is due to the appearance of a heat-insulated space under the shelter, as a result of which the plants are reliably protected not only from the cold, but also from strong winds that negatively affect the vegetation.
In summer cottages, spruce branches are used for shelter:
- young landings;
- trunks of trees and shrubs;
- heat-loving cultures;
- seeds sown for the winter.
Lapnik, as a rule, is obtained by cutting the lower spruce or pine branches. Gardeners often collect material on their site. But this option is possible only if at least 2-3 coniferous trees grow in the garden.
Most often spruce branches are collected in forests. The abundance of trees with suitable branches is simply enormous. However, do not cut off the first ones that come across. To begin with, the branches must be carefully examined. The presence of cobwebs, damage, yellow needles, growths, or even more so bugs, is considered the main sign of a diseased tree. Such spruce branches can infect horticultural crops with fungal diseases or insect pests.
In addition, it is important to use only young trees as a source of coniferous spruce branches.
Video “How and what plants to cover with spruce branches”
In this video, the expert will tell you how and which plants need to be covered with spruce branches.
Feature of application
The use of coniferous branches as a covering material prevents:
- the risk of sunburn by the plant;
- freezing of the root system;
- trunk damage to shrubs and trees;
- harm caused by small rodents.
Before sheltering garden crops, it is important to prepare the plants. Branches of sprawling trees and bushes should be tied with twine, insulated with burlap. After that, you can proceed to the spruce.
Similar preliminary work must be carried out in the case of roses, which especially need to be warmed for the winter. To do this, flower branches must be carefully removed from the support, placed on the ground, previously covered with several pine or spruce branches. From above, roses are also covered with a thick layer of spruce branches.
To protect the root system of fruit trees and shrubs from the negative effects of low temperatures, the near-trunk area is insulated with coniferous branches. Before this, the soil in this zone must be carefully loosened so that the roots receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
Shelter methods
Methods of warming plants with coniferous spruce branches directly depend on the goals pursued. Basically, there are such methods:
- Distribution of branches along the trunk circle. This provides reliable protection of the root system from freezing.
- Tie branches to tree trunks. This prevents damage to the bark by small rodents. At the same time, the tree is protected from sunburn, which is very active even in winter.
- Lawn protection. It is characterized by a uniform distribution of coniferous branches over the territory of the lawn. Previously, the grass should be covered with a layer of dry foliage. Perennials are often insulated in the same way.
- Use of wire mesh. A strong wire mesh is installed around the plant. Further, this structure is covered with dry foliage and coniferous spruce branches.
- Hut. The method is relevant for heat-loving crops that need more reliable insulation. To begin with, a frame in the form of a semicircle is formed from the rails. The structure is covered with burlap, which is fixed to the ground with stones. A layer of spruce branches is distributed on top. For more secure fastening, additional fixing devices should be used.
When to Use
It is necessary to start sheltering horticultural crops with spruce branches with the onset of a stable temperature of -5 ° C. The plants must survive the first cold weather without warming. This is considered a kind of hardening, which gradually adapts crops to frost.
It is recommended to cover trees and shrubs in mid-November.
In addition to frost, coniferous paws will be an excellent protection from snow. However, no less dangerous enemies of garden vegetation – small rodents – such “huts” will only attract. Therefore, when warming garden pets for the winter, you need to take care of the poison for pests.
It is recommended to remove the shelter at the end of March, when the warm weather finally stabilizes. This must be done gradually, removing layer by layer. The interval between the removal of “clothes” from their horticultural crops should be about 2-3 days.
What crops need shelter
The following garden plants need shelter:
- grapes;
- lawn grass;
- juniper;
- roses;
- roots.
In addition, young and exotic crops should be insulated.
Advantages and disadvantages of shelter with spruce branches
“Huts” from coniferous branches have several advantages:
- protection from the sun, snow, rain, low temperatures;
- creating a sufficient air gap inside the shelter;
- protection against temperature fluctuations;
- protection against small rodents.
However, the material is characterized by some disadvantages:
- soil oxidation, which is typical for coniferous crops;
- the risk of infestation by pests;
- difficulty in collecting material.
The combination of spruce branches with other materials
Lapnik works well with other types of covering materials. Coniferous branches form an excellent tandem with wooden boards. Such a hut becomes a reliable protection from frost and winds. Spruce branches are successfully combined with artificial materials: roofing material, plastic wrap.
Lapnik is a fairly popular way to warm plants for the winter. But before you start using it, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of the material. After all, they cause many options for the use of coniferous branches.