What is the purpose of mulching when growing garlic? A detailed explanation of the benefits
Garlic is a fairly important side dish in our daily lives, and in rural areas almost every household grows garlic. Home gardeners may not manage it much, but many people who grow it on a large scale cover the soil surface with a layer of mulch, which can be plastic film or straw. It is said that this can increase garlic yields and improve quality. So what is the purpose of mulching when growing garlic? Let's take a look below!
1. Pest and weed prevention
Nowadays, when people grow garlic, they use new high-fat film together with an appropriate amount of herbicide after sowing, which can effectively prevent pests and control weed growth. And after spraying, a layer of straw is spread on top, which can weaken the growth of harmful organisms and reduce the living space for pests and weeds. This is because after mulching, the light in the field is reduced, which suppresses weed growth, and herbicide has also been sprayed, so this double defense blocks weed growth. Pest control works in much the same way, preventing the loss of the new high-fat film and strengthening the effectiveness of the pesticide.
2. Shade and water retention
The timing of garlic planting is determined by the region; in the south, planting generally starts in August to September. But at this time, the midday sun is still fairly strong, the rate of water evaporation speeds up, and too much light can also inhibit the germination and emergence of garlic seeds. Covering with mulch promptly after sowing can not only effectively reduce the intensity of sunlight, but also prevent excessive sun from speeding up soil moisture evaporation and affecting soil humidity, which would affect seed germination. Moreover, seed germination is directly related to later growth and vigor.
3. Warming and insulation
The mature season for garlic is generally in winter and spring, when temperatures are lower, especially in the north. If the temperature drops below minus five degrees during garlic growth, frost damage is very likely to occur, causing a major impact on growth. Therefore, mulching can raise the temperature in the field, slow the rate of temperature drop, and ensure that garlic can safely overwinter. After safely overwintering and as temperatures gradually rise, because the insulation measures are good, garlic will green up faster, which benefits later growth and quality.
4. Fertilizer and moisture retention
Garlic is a fertilizer-loving crop, and when the rainy season comes, especially when it lasts a long time. Because the field is washed by rain for a long time, a large amount of fertilizer is lost, which not only increases planting costs but also affects garlic growth. When there is insufficient fertilizer in the field, after the rain stops and the soil dries, the soil easily becomes compacted, which is extremely unfavorable for the germination and emergence of garlic seeds and for nutrient uptake by the roots. Mulching can effectively prevent rain washing, reduce fertilizer loss, and also protect the soil, preventing rain from damaging the growing environment of garlic.
The above are the effects of mulching when growing garlic, and surely everyone now knows why garlic is mulched when it is planted. It not only protects the growing environment of garlic but can also effectively promote its growth. However, when covering, you should also note that the straw must not be too thick, otherwise it will not only suppress weed growth but also create a certain obstacle to garlic germination and emergence.