put down plastic/drip, weeds between rows
sandy0225
13 years ago
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myfamilysfarm
13 years agosandy0225
13 years agoRelated Discussions
weeds, row covers & hoops
Comments (7)GOOGLE IS MY FRIEND!!! http://www.weekendgardener.net/organic-weed-killer/solarization-100710.htm How to Solarize Soil Normally and With Modifications The area to be solarized should be free of debris and large dirt clods If you have clods, till the area to be treated. It is necessary to break up soil clods and plant debris in order to enhance heat conduction through the soil. The soil surface should be raked smooth before covering with plastic. A fine soil surface will allow the plastic covering to be placed in close contact with the soil, with few air pockets to interfere with direct solar heating Modification: If you have a weedy area that is out of control, or grass that is hard to get rid of even with tilling, cut down the weeds and get rid of the grass as best you can, and then proceed with the next steps The soil should be moistened if dry, but not saturated. Wet soil conducts heat better that dry soil, so it should have a crumbly damp look to it, like it would at planting time Place clear plastic over the soil surface and bury the edges, or place bricks or heavy objects on the edges, to keep the plastic in place and from blowing away Modification: Many people always recommend using clear plastic because the idea is that clear plastic produces higher temperatures faster because the sunlight passes through the clear plastic to heat the soil. While this is true, if you are in a cooler climate or a cooler time of the year, I have found that black plastic works just as well because it absorbs the heat making it quite hot. The soil surface near this hot plastic gets quite warm, which as stated above, may not be hot enough to kill diseases or some weed seeds, but it will clear the area nicely of weeds and some seeds. I know that the black color can intercept the light, and some heat can be lost to the outside air, but try it. The plastic can be clear construction grade plastic and vary in thickness from 1 to 6 mils. The thinner plastic (1-2 mils) will allow better soil heating since it will reflect less solar energy Large sheets of plastic to use for solarization are available at hardware and home supply stores The plastic should be left in place for 4-6 weeks Modification: In cooler temperatures, leave on for 8-10 weeks True solarization is most effective when done during the hottest time of the year, which for some people is in June - July, or depending on your geographic location, May, August, and September. That said, do try it during other times of the year and see how it works for you, because I have, and have found it a very useful aid in weed control. Overall, solarization is by far, the most effective way home gardeners have to reduce or eliminate soil-borne garden pests. Plus, it allows you the flexability to put the plastic down in any area that is giving you problems. The......See MoreLandscape fabric between berry rows?
Comments (2)The problem I've had with landscape fabric is that weeds start growing on top of it and through it. I have one heavy-duty piece that covers one pathway, and each spring for four years I've ripped it up and flipped it over. The plan that's emerged for us over a period of years is grass/clover mix in wide corridors, and deep sawdust/wood chip mulch for the berries and fruit trees. The few weeds that come up through the mulch get well trampled during picking season....See MoreDrip Tape ABOVE Plastic Mulch?
Comments (1)Don't know what sort of plastic mulch you have but, in order for water to pass through you must have intimate contact between the plastic and and the soil. Plastic mulch is not the cure all it's thought to be. Better to use a 4-inch deep mulch of wood chips under trees and shrubs and forget the expense -- and ultimate headache -- of the plastic. Use a finer mulch under herbaceous perennials...See MoreDrip Drip Drip Drip ------------Drip!
Comments (32)Heh, I had the.. fortune.. of having my well bladder chain fail just as the cold set was coming in. Age related thing, not cold related. Not cheap... but today I can happily say I know darn well that my water is 100% checked from well pipe to well house to all the inside water- and all the various entry points... and everything safe without having to do drips. And apparently what is icky to me crawlspace under the house is "really nice" in comparison to some- I have indoor access to a proper basement hole before the "higher clearance than many" and "dryer than most" crawlspace, lol. And there's a couple hardwired lightbulbs to boot!...See Morejrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
13 years agorandy41_1
13 years agodirtdigging101
13 years agomyfamilysfarm
13 years agodirtdigging101
13 years agomyfamilysfarm
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12 years agorandy41_1
12 years agolittle_minnie
12 years agosandy0225
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12 years agosandy0225
12 years ago
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