Maya Ellison
Plastic sheeting or mulch can be used in gardens to improve plant growth and reduce weeds and pests. The plastic is laid on top of the soil and uses the sun's rays to heat the soil underneath, helping to kill weeds and unwelcome plant pathogens. It also prevents water in the soil from evaporating, conserving soil moisture. Plastic mulch comes in a variety of colours, with black and clear being the easiest to find. When laying the plastic, it is important to ensure that there are no holes and that the ends are folded underneath and secured with landscaping pins, soil, rocks, or wood to prevent it from blowing away. While plastic mulch offers many benefits, it may not be suitable for all types of crops, especially cold crops such as lettuce and spinach, as it can potentially trap too much heat and scorch the plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Kill weeds and grass to make space for a garden |
| Types | Black plastic mulch, clear poly sheeting, polyethylene film |
| Benefits | Warmer soil, fewer weeds, eco-friendly, soil moisture conservation, improved yields, earlier harvests |
| Drawbacks | Not suitable for cold crops, potential for over-heating, unattractive appearance |
| Preparation | Remove grass, weeds, and other plants. Fork in compost and rake for a smooth surface. Apply fertilizer if desired. |
| Installation | Spread plastic over the surface of the bed, ensuring good contact with the soil. Secure the edges by burying with soil or weighing down with rocks. Cut an 'X' or hole in the plastic for planting. |
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What You'll Learn
Using plastic mulch to kill weeds and grass
Plastic mulch is a useful tool for killing weeds and grass while preparing a garden. It is a popular and inexpensive method that has been in use since the 1950s. The dark colour of the plastic, usually black, prevents light from passing through, making it effective in preventing weed growth.
To use plastic mulch to kill weeds and grass, follow these steps:
- Clear the area: Cut the grass and weeds as short as possible. You may also need to dig up any shrubs or perennial weeds.
- Prepare the soil: Spread a layer of organic compost, grass clippings, leaves, or other finely chopped organic material on the ground. This step is optional but recommended, as it will enrich the soil and prevent it from being bare after the process.
- Lay the plastic: Spread black plastic sheeting over the entire area you wish to clear. Ensure the black side is facing down, as the black colour absorbs heat, trapping it underneath. The plastic should be in direct contact with the soil for optimal results. Avoid laying the plastic on a windy day, as it may blow away.
- Weigh down the plastic: Use landscaping pins, bricks, large stones, or soil to weigh down the plastic at the corners, along the edges, and throughout the centre. This will prevent the wind from getting underneath and ensure the plastic stays in place.
- Leave the plastic in place: Depending on the season and the type of weeds and grass underneath, it may take two to three months in the summer or up to six months in the winter for the vegetation to die. Tough weeds may take up to a year.
- Remove the plastic: Once the weeds and grass have been killed, carefully remove the plastic. If you laid compost underneath, the ground will be ready for planting, as worms and soil bacteria will have tilled it.
Using plastic mulch offers several benefits, including weed control, soil moisture conservation, and increased ground warmth, leading to faster plant growth and an extended planting season. However, it is important to note that plastic mulch may not be suitable for all types of crops, especially cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, peas, and root vegetables, as it can potentially trap too much heat and scorch the plants.
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Preparing the garden bed
Clear the Garden Bed
Start by removing any grass, weeds, or other unwanted plants from the area. This step ensures that your desired plants have enough space to grow without competing with unwanted vegetation. It is crucial to refrain from using chemical herbicides, as they can harm the soil structure and the environment.
Prepare the Soil
Once the area is cleared, mix in compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil. Use a fork to lightly blend it in, and then use a rake to create a smooth, flat surface. At this stage, you can also apply fertilizer by spreading it over the surface of the soil and lightly scratching it in.
Install Drip Irrigation (Optional)
If you plan to use drip irrigation, now is the time to install it. Place the irrigation system on the surface of the soil near where your transplants will be planted. This step ensures that your plants receive adequate water directly at their roots.
Lay the Plastic Mulch
Choose a plastic mulch that suits your needs; it typically comes in black or clear, but other colours like red and yellow are available. Black plastic is excellent for preventing weeds as it blocks the light, while clear plastic is ideal for temporarily warming the soil. Roll out the plastic over the garden bed, ensuring it is tightly stretched and in good contact with the soil. Make sure there are no holes in the plastic, as this can defeat the purpose of using it.
Secure the Plastic
To prevent the plastic from blowing away, secure its edges. You can do this by burying the edges with soil, or you can weigh them down with rocks, planks of wood, or similar items. If using stakes or a 4x4 post, place them at the ends of the rows to keep them straight, and then cover the ends with about 2 inches of soil. Ensure the black side of the plastic is facing down to avoid overheating your seeds and plants.
Planting
To plant, simply cut an 'X' or a small hole in the plastic where you want each plant to go. An X' shape is preferable as it leaves less room for weeds to grow. Then, dig a hole in the soil under the cut and place your plant or seed inside. Water well under the plastic.
Please note that plastic mulch is not suitable for all crops, especially cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, peas, and root vegetables. It may also be ineffective in very cold areas or coastal regions, as the soil may not get warm enough to provide the intended benefits.
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Choosing the right plastic
When choosing plastic for your garden, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of plastic you want to use. Plastic mulch, plastic sheeting, and agricultural plastic are all options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, plastic mulch is a thin sheet of clear plastic that can be laid on top of the soil to warm it up, while plastic sheeting can be used to create a more permanent weed barrier.
Another thing to consider is the colour of the plastic. Black plastic mulch is the most popular and least expensive option, as it is very good at preventing weeds and warming the soil. However, it may not be suitable for cooler regions as it could potentially overwork and trap in the heat, scorching plants. Clear plastic sheeting is also an option and can be used temporarily to warm the soil before removing it and sowing seeds. Red, yellow, and white plastic are also available, each with its own unique benefits.
The thickness of the plastic is another important factor to consider. Thinner plastics may be more susceptible to tearing and punctures, while thicker plastics may be more expensive and difficult to work with. It's important to choose a thickness that is suitable for your specific application and climate.
Finally, you'll want to consider the source of your plastic. You can purchase special plastic garden mulch at garden centres or online. However, you may also be able to recycle plastic sheets or use plastic from other sources, such as plastic used for building or wrapping. Just be sure that the plastic is safe for use in your garden and will not release any harmful chemicals.
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Securing the plastic
Start by placing sticks or tall stakes in the ground at each end of the row you have hoed. This will help keep your rows straight. If one side of the plastic is black and the other is white, ensure that the black side is facing down, as the black side absorbs more heat. Secure one end of the plastic sheet to the stake at the beginning of the row. You can use landscaping pins or a 4x4 post for this. Now, roll out the plastic down the row. Work your way down each side, shovelling about 2 inches of dirt onto the outer edges of the plastic to hold it down and keep it tight.
Once you reach the end of the row, make a straight cut and secure this end with another stake. Cover the ends with about 2 inches of soil, or you can use rocks, planks of wood, or any heavy object to weigh it down. Ensure that the plastic is tucked tightly against the soil, with no loose areas, to prevent wind from getting underneath. If you are using plastic with holes cut for planting, be careful to avoid creating extra room for weeds or critters to crawl through.
It is important to note that black plastic mulch can get very hot and potentially scorch plants, so it may not be suitable for crops that prefer cooler temperatures, such as lettuce, spinach, peas, and root vegetables. Clear plastic is a better option for temporarily warming the soil in cooler climates, and it should be removed before planting seeds.
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Planting through the plastic
Plastic sheeting or mulch can be used in vegetable gardens to improve the growth of some crops. It is a useful tool for warming the soil, retaining soil moisture, and preventing weeds. Black plastic mulch is the most popular and least expensive option, but it can also come in other colours such as red, yellow, or clear.
When planting through plastic, it is important to keep the black side down if one side is black and the other is white. This is because the black side absorbs heat, and placing it down will prevent overheating and scorching your seeds and plants. To secure the plastic, you can use landscaping pins or stakes to hold it tight and in place. You can then cover it with soil or weigh it down with rocks, planks of wood, or anything to prevent it from blowing away.
To plant through the plastic, cut a hole in the shape of an X, as this leaves less room for weeds to grow than a circular hole. The hole should be about the size of a baseball or smaller. You can then dig a small hole in the ground underneath the plastic and plant your seed or transplant. Water well under the plastic. You can use drip irrigation to water your plants when the soil is covered with plastic mulch.
It is important to note that plastic mulch may not be suitable for all types of crops. Cold crops such as lettuce, spinach, peas, and root vegetables may not do as well under plastic ground cover as they could overheat. It is also essential to be careful not to poke holes in the plastic sheeting, as this will defeat the purpose of retaining moisture and preventing weeds.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic mulch can help to warm the soil, which encourages faster plant growth and allows you to plant earlier in the year. It also prevents weeds and pests, and helps to conserve soil moisture.
Black plastic mulch is the most popular and least expensive option, but plastic sheeting also comes in a variety of other colours, including red, yellow, and clear. You can buy special plastic garden mulch, or use rolls of plastic like vapour barrier or plastic wrapping.
First, remove any grass, weeds, or other plants from the area. Then, lightly fork in compost or other organic matter, and rake the surface until it is smooth and flat. If you are using fertiliser, spread it over the surface of the soil and lightly scratch it in. If using drip irrigation, install it now.
Tightly stretch the plastic over the surface of the bed, ensuring that it is not loose and that it is in good contact with the soil. Secure the edges of the plastic by burying them with soil or weighing them down with rocks, planks of wood, or anything you have to hand. If you are using plastic sheeting with one black side and one white side, make sure the black side is facing down.
