What is spruce branches and how to use it correctly?
Content
What is spruce branches and how to collect it
It is customary to call the branches of conifers a lapnik. Most often, pines, spruces, and fir become a 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 plantings;
- tree trunks and shrubs;
- heat-loving crops;
- seeds sown for the winter.
Lapnik is usually obtained by cutting the lower branches of spruce or pine. 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 harvested in the forests. The abundance of trees with suitable branches is 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, injuries, yellow needles, outgrowths, or even more so bugs is considered the main sign of a sick tree. Such spruce branches can infect garden 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 what plants need to be covered with spruce branches.
Application features
The use of coniferous branches as a covering material prevents:
- the risk of a plant getting sunburn;
- freezing of the root system;
- trunk damage to bushes and trees;
- harm caused by small rodents.
Before covering garden crops, it is important to prepare the plants. Branches of spreading trees and bushes should be tied with twine, insulated with burlap. After that, you can proceed to the spruce branches.
Similar preliminary work needs to be done in the case of roses, which especially need insulation for the winter. To do this, the flower branches must be carefully removed from the support, placed on the ground, previously covered with several pine or spruce branches. On top of the 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 thoroughly loosened so that the roots receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
Shelter methods
The methods of warming plants with coniferous spruce branches directly depend on the goals pursued. Basically, there are such methods:
- Distribution of branches along the near-trunk circle. This provides reliable protection of the root system from freezing.
- Tying branches to tree trunks. This prevents small rodents from damaging the bark.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. Beforehand, the grass should be covered with a layer of dry foliage. Perennials are often insulated in the same way.
- Using wire mesh. A strong wire mesh is placed around the plant. Further, this structure is covered with dry foliage and coniferous spruce branches.
- Hut. The method is relevant for thermophilic crops that need more reliable insulation. To begin with, a frame is formed from the rails in the form of a semicircle. The structure is covered with burlap, which is fixed to the ground with stones. A layer of spruce branches is distributed on top. For a more secure fixing, you should use additional fixing devices.
When to use
You should start sheltering garden crops with spruce branches with the onset of a stable temperature of -5 ° C. The plants must survive the first cold weather without insulation. This is considered a kind of hardening, which gradually adapts crops to frost.
Covering trees and shrubs is recommended in mid-November.
In addition to frost, coniferous feet provide excellent protection against snow. However, no less dangerous enemies of garden vegetation - small rodents - such "huts" will only attract. Therefore, when insulating garden pets for the winter, it is necessary to take care of the poison for pests.
She recommends removing 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 removing the "clothes" from their garden crops should be about 2-3 days.
Which cultures need shelter
The following garden plants need shelter:
- grape;
- lawn grass;
- juniper;
- roses;
- roots.
In addition, young and exotic cultures should be insulated.
Advantages and disadvantages of covering with spruce branches
- protection from the sun, snow, rain, low temperatures;
- creating a sufficient air gap inside the shelter;
- protection against temperature drops;
- protection against small rodents.
- soil acidification, which is typical for coniferous crops;
- the risk of infestation by insect 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 against frost and winds. Spruce branches are successfully combined with artificial materials: roofing material, plastic wrap.
Lapnik is a fairly popular way of warming plants for the winter. But before you start using it, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of the material. After all, they determine many options for the use of coniferous branches.