New technologies and modern materials significantly simplify the processes of growing plants on plots. Geotextiles for garden beds are a real salvation from weeds. You can also choose a canvas for decorating country paths. The main advantages of the material: ease of use, affordable cost, large selection of canvases of different thicknesses.
What is geotextile for garden beds
Woven or non-woven fabric is made using special needle-punched, thermally bonded methods from polyester or propylene threads. The materials are in demand in various industries: medicine, construction, agriculture, geotechnics, furniture production.
Summer residents and gardeners in their gardens most often use it to protect their beds from weeds. Manufacturers produce different types of geotextiles, the areas of application of which are quite wide. When choosing a material, you need to take into account both its positive and negative characteristics.
Which to choose?
On a personal plot, you can also use geotextiles for arranging ponds, decorative reservoirs, equipping parking areas, and organizing children's play areas.
When choosing a material, you need to take into account its characteristics:
- Polyester textiles are made from polyester/polyester substances. The canvas acts as a filter when installing drainage systems. It is used in the construction of sports fields, the design of a drainage layer, for the reinforcement of high embankments, in the arrangement of garden paths, and areas for cars. Advantages of the material: long service life, resistance to alkaline and acidic environments, does not rot or decompose in the ground, does not pollute the environment. Water seeps through the canvas well, but large particles do not pass through. The disadvantage of textiles is that they are not used to protect beds from weeds;
- polypropylene fabric is made from synthetic polypropylene fibers. The material is resistant to external mechanical influences. Advantages of the material: strength, elasticity, good drainage and filtration characteristics. Cons: instability to direct sunlight, high cost.
To cover the soil in the beds, it is recommended to use polypropylene geotextiles. The material is optimal for mulching the soil and is used to protect beds from weeds.In hot weather, textiles prevent the evaporation of moisture, and on rainy days they allow water to pass through freely. Therefore, watering rates are being reduced. Since moisture and air circulate freely, the soil maintains a constant temperature.
Rules for using covering material
Features of laying geotextiles are determined by the type of work. Approximate stages of arranging garden paths:
- the contours of the paths are marked with a rope and ditches 30-40 cm deep are dug. The bottom is covered with sand and carefully leveled, the walls are designed with a slight slope;
- the groove is covered with textiles so that the edges protrude 5-10 cm above the ground;
- a layer of crushed stone 12-15 cm high is poured into the recess. The stone surface is leveled, and the ditch is covered with another sheet of geotextile;
- the final stages - a layer of sand 10 cm thick is poured and leveled. Tiled elements are already laid on top of the sand. Remains of textiles protruding above the ground are carefully cut off. The seams between the tiles are covered with sand and rubbed with a stiff brush.
A popular way to use geotextiles is to design beds. The work is carried out in the following order:
- in a designated area, a layer of earth 30-45 cm thick is removed;
- sand is poured into the bottom of the bed in a layer of 10-15 cm, which is carefully leveled;
- cover the bottom with geotextiles so that the edges protrude above the ground surface;
- a drainage layer 5-7 cm thick (pebbles, crushed stone) is poured over the material;
- The depression is filled with black soil on top of the drainage.
The quality of the canvas is determined by the type of technology used in the manufacture of the material. When choosing a fabric, the following parameters are taken into account: strength, elasticity, water permeability. You also need to take into account the purpose of using the canvas and the type of soil on the site.
