Housewives can refer to when spreading a layer of gravel on the base of ornamental plants, it will help bring many practical benefits to the plant's development as well as create aesthetic elements.
Maintain moisture, limit rapid drainage
Spreading a layer of gravel covering the pot surface will create a natural barrier to help reduce direct impact from sunlight and dry air on the soil surface. As a result, water in the soil evaporates slower, helping to maintain stable moisture for a long time.
Housewives can reduce the frequency of watering, especially spreading gravel is very suitable for small potted plants when placed in air-conditioned rooms or windy locations.
Reduce the situation of broken and bruised roots of seedlings
When watering directly with a hose or water bottle, strong water flow easily erodes the surface soil layer, or damages the roots of seedlings. Spreading a layer of gravel helps to disperse the irrigation force of the water flow, helping to keep the soil surface flat as well as the roots of the plants from breaking and crushing.
Preventing weeds from growing, insects from breeding
Spreading gravel on the pot surface also helps limit the growth of weeds, reducing nutrients for plants. At the same time, the dry gravel surface makes mosquitoes or small insects no longer have a humid soil environment to multiply and lay eggs.
Housewives should choose gravel of moderate size, wash it thoroughly before use and only spread a thin layer, do not cover gravel too thickly, it will easily cause the soil to become airtight, holding water for too long leading to root rot.
