Re: organic matter in soil and mulch was: information needed
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: organic matter in soil and mulch was: information needed
- From: P*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:07:56 EDT
July 27, 1999 In keeping with both the Drought and Mulch threads, these
articles might be useful:
GARDEN UNDER STRESS FROM DROUGHT? RELIEF IS ON THE WAY
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Established gardens or landscape sites usually do not
feature many drought-tolerant plants. However, a horticulture specialist in
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says gardeners can take steps
to keep gardens from drying up.
"A variety of techniques can be used to conserve water during times of
moisture stress," says Bob Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture.
"Gardeners don't have to use all of them, but every little bit helps."
Mulches
Mulch is very effective at keeping moisture in the soil. Benefits during a
drought include weed control, maintaining even soil temperatures, erosion
control and improving the appearance of the garden. A 2- to 4-inch mulch
layer is most effective.
"Whatever material you use depends on where it will be used, appearance and
cost," Nuss says. "Homeowners can use two types of mulch: organic or
inorganic. Make sure no mulch touches the plant stem or trunk."
Organic mulches range from shredded newspaper to shredded wood or wood chips.
Inorganic mulches such as black plastic will be just as effective, although
appearance may be an issue. "You can top-dress plastic mulches with gravel or
wood chips," Nuss suggests. "But don't use gravel alone because it takes a
layer 6 to 8 inches deep to slow moisture loss and control weeds."
Anti-desiccants
Moisture loss from plant leaves can be lessened or prevented by applying an
anti-desiccant, which leaves a water-tight film over leaf surfaces.
"Anti-desiccants are most effective on evergreens and mature plants," Nuss
says. "The film will not stretch when a new leaf grows, so gardeners must
repeat the treatment as the plant grows."
Anti-desiccants can be applied to plants as a spray when air temperatures are
above freezing, he says. "Anti-desiccants are invisible and easy to apply to
small plants," he adds.
Wind screens
Plants can lose considerable amounts of moisture to active breezes. Plants
maintain a constant layer of moisture vapor near the leaf surface, Nuss
explains. If the moisture layer remains, it will slow the movement of more
water from the leaf. When winds remove the moisture layer, plants must
replace the layer with more water vapor from inside the leaf.
Nuss recommends using wind screens or barriers to slow air movement around
plants. "Snow fence can be used bare or covered with burlap or plastic
sheeting to block air flow," Nuss says. "Don't place the barriers too close
to plants. They can trap heat against the plants, which increases moisture
loss."
Most windbreaks will modify air movement for a distance of two times their
height. For example, a 6-foot screen reduces the air flow for about 12 to 15
feet beyond the screen.
Nuss says gardeners can create a natural windscreen by planting a shrub
border of drought-tolerant plants such as Mentor Barberry, Siberian Pea
Shrub, Flowering Quince, Gray Dogwood, privet and bayberry.
Supplemental water
Nuss says much of the wastewater generated by a household can be used on
plants -- with limitations. Water from bathing and clothes washers -- called
"gray water" -- can be used on an ornamental garden if soaps and detergents
have been diluted enough for irrigation. "Don't use water with chlorine
bleach or boron," Nuss says. "Sodium from the salt used to soften water and
liquid fabric softeners also can be harmful to plants."
Nuss says health experts advise not to use gray water on vegetables when
there is a possibility of the water touching the edible portion of the plant.
Watering the soil around fruiting plants such as tomato, pepper, bean and
broccoli can be effective.
###
EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Nuss at (814) 863-2196.
Contacts:
John Wall
jtw3@psu.edu
(814) 863-2719
(814) 865-1068 fax
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