Maya Ellison
Plastic mulch is a popular gardening technique used to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. It involves laying a sheet of plastic over the garden bed, with holes poked through for planting. Plastic mulch comes in biodegradable and non-biodegradable varieties, and can be laid by hand or with the help of tractors or mulch-laying equipment. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to lay down plastic mulch, covering everything from preparing the garden bed to securing the plastic in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic mulch | Biodegradable, Bioplastic, Conventional (petroleum-based) |
| Benefits | Warms the soil, controls weeds, no removal required, moisture retention |
| Brands | Eco-One, Bio360, Biotelo, Mater-Bi |
| Installation tools | Dibble Wheel, Jab Seeder, Drip-tape, Shovel |
| Installation technique | Roll out and fasten edges, cover with dirt to stabilise, overlay previous row by 4-6 inches, roll vertical with the slope |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the ground
To prepare the ground for laying plastic mulch, you will need well-worked, level soil that is not too wet. It is important to ensure that the ground is smooth and free of any holes or bumps that could cause the plastic to be uneven or become damaged.
One way to achieve this is to use a Dibble Wheel to poke holes through the plastic for planting. This can be done independently, but it is important to note that the Dibble Wheel cannot be put behind the mulch layer. The wheel has a diameter of 12" with 6 equally-spaced spikes, and the spikes can be adjusted for different spacings. You can install up to 12 spikes per wheel, spacing holes 6" apart, and you can add extra wheels to the frame for multiple rows. However, keep in mind that more spikes will require more down-pressure.
Another option for preparing the ground is to lay drip-tape under the plastic to help with irrigation. This can be done manually before laying the plastic mulch, or you can use a drip-tape laying accessory that lays the tape as you lay the plastic. If you want multiple rows of drip-tape, it is best to lay them manually.
When you are ready to lay the plastic mulch, start by rolling out 10 to 12 feet of plastic and shovelling dirt on top to stabilise it. Make sure to overlap the previous row by 4 to 6 inches to allow for shrinking and slipping. Roll the mulch vertically with the slope of the garden, starting at the top and working your way down. This will help retain moisture and prevent the plastic from floating away.
As you lay the plastic, throw a shovel load of dirt on the opposite edge, the middle, and the new edge every 6 feet. Smooth out the area where you took the dirt from to avoid leaving holes that could be a trip hazard. At the end of each row, completely cover the end of the plastic with dirt to hold it in place and seal it before starting the next row.
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Unroll and cut the plastic
To start laying down plastic for mulch, you will first need to unroll the plastic and cut it to size. This process will depend on the size of your garden and the type of plastic you are using.
Biodegradable plastic mulch is a popular choice for gardeners as it warms the soil, leading to earlier crops, and keeps weeds at bay for a few months. It then falls apart, eliminating the need to remove it and create agricultural waste. Biodegradable mulches like Eco-One and Bio360 are widely available in the US and are made from plant starches and vegetable oil resins.
When laying biodegradable plastic mulch, it is important to ensure you have well-worked soil, level beds, and soil that is not too wet. Start by placing the roll of plastic at the top of your garden and unrolling it downwards, ensuring you have at least 10 to 12 feet of plastic to work with. As you unroll, shovel dirt onto the plastic every 6 feet, focusing on the edges to stabilize it. Overlap the previous row by 4 to 6 inches to account for shrinking in the sun or slipping in the rain.
If you have extra help, one person can unroll the plastic while the other shovels dirt on top. Once you reach the end of the row, cover the end of the plastic with dirt to hold it in place, then cut it loose by chopping through the plastic with a shovel. Now you are ready to begin the next row.
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Bury the edges
Burying the edges of plastic mulch is a crucial step in the installation process, and it requires careful planning and execution. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for this important task:
Firstly, it's important to ensure you have the right size of plastic mulch for your garden bed. If you have a raised bed, the width and height of the bed will determine whether you need 3-foot or 4-foot plastic mulch. For example, if your raised bed is 30 inches wide and 6 inches tall, you will need to use 4-foot plastic mulch to ensure you have enough plastic left on each side to bury.
When laying down the plastic mulch, it's essential to have a well-prepared garden bed with level surfaces and well-worked, slightly dry soil. As you unroll the plastic mulch, make sure you have enough people assisting to keep the process smooth and efficient. One person can pull the roll, while two "Forward Shovelers" walk alongside, dropping shovelfuls of soil along each edge of the plastic to hold it in place. It's important to work at a steady pace, especially in breezy conditions, to prevent the plastic from blowing away.
The next step is to secure the edges of the plastic mulch by burying them. This can be done with the help of "Rear Shovelers," who follow behind, using shovels to bury the edges of the plastic that have been weighed down with soil. This ensures that the plastic is securely held in place and won't blow away or shift easily. It's recommended to have at least four people in these roles to ensure the process goes smoothly.
For larger areas or raised beds, using tools like a walk-behind tractor or a BedShaper implement can be beneficial. A walk-behind tractor can be used to lay plastic mulch and bury the edges simultaneously, but it may require a 4-foot model for raised beds to ensure the edges can be properly buried. The "BedShaper" implement is useful for creating consistent-sized raised beds that work well with 4-foot plastic mulch layers.
By following these steps and considerations, you can effectively bury the edges of plastic mulch, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing installation that will enhance your gardening efforts.
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Add dirt to stabilise
Adding dirt is a crucial step in stabilising your plastic mulch. Begin by rolling out 10 to 12 feet of plastic mulch, ensuring you have well-worked, level soil that is not too wet. Overlay the previous row by 4 to 6 inches to allow for potential shrinking in hot weather and slipping during heavy rainfall. This overlap will also help retain moisture in your garden and prevent the plastic from floating away.
Next, shovel dirt onto the plastic. Start at the end of the roll and work your way back, adding a shovel load of dirt every 6 feet. Spread the dirt across the opposite edge, the middle, and the new edge. Smooth out the area from which you took the dirt to avoid leaving holes that could be a tripping hazard. Completely cover the end of the plastic with dirt to hold it securely in place and seal it off.
If you have an extra pair of hands, one person can roll out the plastic mulch while the other follows behind with a shovel, adding dirt as they go. This method is much faster and more efficient.
Finally, cut the plastic loose by chopping through it with a shovel. Now you're ready to start the next row, filling in any holes and smoothing out the layer as you go. This process will ensure your plastic mulch is stable and secure, providing a solid foundation for your garden.
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Poke holes for planting
Poke holes in the plastic for planting:
If you're looking to poke holes in plastic mulch for planting, there are a few ways to go about it. One way is to use a tool specifically designed for this purpose, such as the Hatfield Transplanter or the Stand and Plant Planter. These tools can be expensive, but they are effective and can save you time and effort. Another option is to use a bulb planter with a long shaft, or a piece of PVC pipe, which can also be effective for poking holes. If you're looking for a cheaper option, a "dibble wheel" can be used to poke holes through plastic for planting. This tool has adjustable spikes that can be spaced up to 12 inches apart, and the more spikes you add, the more pressure is required to penetrate the plastic.
If you're looking for a more manual approach, a "jab seeder" can be used to plant seeds manually through plastic mulch. This tool is handheld and allows for precise planting without the need for a tractor or other large equipment. Another low-cost, manual method is to use a small blow torch with a long handle to burn holes in the plastic. This method is faster than poking holes and does not create any smell as you are standing away from the flame.
It's important to note that the type of plastic mulch you use can also impact the effectiveness of hole-making. Thicker plastic can be more resistant to weeds poking through, so choosing a thicker variety or using a thick bark mulch can help prevent holes from forming unintentionally.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic mulch warms the soil, leading to earlier crops. It also keeps weeds down for a few months and then falls apart, so you don't have to remove it.
Eco-One and Bio360 are two commonly available biodegradable plastic mulches in the US. Eco-One is made from plant starches and fossil raw materials and breaks down into carbon dioxide and water.
First, ensure you have well-worked soil, level beds, and soil that is not too wet. Then, roll out the plastic and cover the end with dirt to stabilise it. Shovel dirt every 6 feet and smooth out the area to avoid holes. Overlay the previous row by 4 to 6 inches to allow for shrinking in the sun and slipping in rainstorms.
