From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Cairo, Georgia

Adam and I tilled alot in the garden this afternoon. I am wanting to put plastic over it. WIll this solarize it or do I need to spray something to keep the weeds from growing..any help would be appreciated. I am so proud of Adam. Eight years old and he taught me how to till, how to start it and how to run the dern thing. He said his dad taught him how to do it. Thanks Dad!

11/10/2006 6:20:15 PM

Mocksville, NC

4 to 6 mil plastic no weeds hi ally. i prefer black, but i reckon clear is just as good. yeah i taped in from Arnold ha!

11/10/2006 9:10:35 PM

Cairo, Georgia

Thanks, rog, did you get my email? I think I have some black plastic. do I need to "tuck it in" so to speak by putting dirt over the edges of it? This is all new to me,,,thanks for your help!

11/10/2006 10:39:16 PM

Mocksville, NC

yep got it thanks, and they have bio degradable spikes that hold down the plastic couple buck for a hole pack of them at lowes there T shaped, and you can push right in with your foot no shoveling, and they really hold. see ya tomorrow, I cant get my son to clean his room he he.

11/11/2006 2:29:14 AM

Okla

Ally here is a website that might help you with your solarizing your soil. I have researched it in the past and they have said it helps if you put bricks spaced out so that some of the plastic is not in contact with the ground all over where the plastic covers it. This is supposed to help intensify the heat like a magnifying glass. Best of Luck with your fall prep.
If this link does not work for you let me know and I will send the info to you by email
Thomas Hathorn
S.W. Oklahoma

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2649/F-7640web.pdf

11/11/2006 2:19:41 PM

Decatur, IL

I believe you need to have at least one layer of clear plastic in close contact with the ground (ground needs to be as level as possible with no clumps or large rocks). You can use a second layer spaced (as mentioned by Thomas)above the first to create a greenhouse affect, but you still need the first layer of plastic in contact with the soil. Black plastic is no good for solarizing (killling of weed seeds and soil pathogens). It will only kill weeds that have already sprouted. Charlie

11/11/2006 7:19:41 PM

Decatur, IL

Also, solarizing needs to be started in June or July in my part of the country (Illinois) to build up enough heat to kill weed seeds and soil pathogens. The soil needs to be covered for at least 4-6 weeks.

11/11/2006 7:24:44 PM

Cairo, Georgia

I won't put it in the ground til late feb or early march so I should have enough time shouldn't I? Thanks for the info you guys, it all helps

Ally

11/11/2006 7:27:35 PM