Ethan Clarke
Plastic sheeting can be used to cover gardens for various purposes, such as weed control, warming the soil, and protecting the soil from erosion. The two main types of plastic sheeting used are clear and black plastic. Clear plastic is used to solarize the soil, which involves heating the soil to kill weeds and their seeds. Black plastic is used to block light and water from reaching weeds, eventually killing them. While plastic sheeting can be effective in weed control and soil protection, it has drawbacks, such as the potential for plastic pieces to tear and blow around the yard, and the environmental impact of using plastic. Alternatives to plastic sheeting include cardboard, compost, leaf mulch, and winter cover crops.
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What You'll Learn
Using plastic to kill weeds
To use plastic to kill weeds, first cut down the grass and weeds in the area. Then, cover the area with black plastic sheeting, weighing it down to prevent it from blowing away. Leave the plastic in place for at least two months to kill the weeds and grass underneath. You can also use clear plastic sheeting to "solarize" the soil, which will warm the soil and help eliminate some pests, weed seeds, and seedlings.
When using plastic to kill weeds, it is important to consider the environmental impact of the plastic. Most black plastic eventually ends up in landfills, so it is recommended to use biodegradable or photo-degradable black plastic mulches instead. UV-resistant plastic lasts longer but is more expensive. It is also important to remove the plastic at the end of the growing season to prevent it from breaking down into small pieces that can be difficult to clean up.
Additionally, when using plastic to kill weeds, you need to ensure that the plastic is weighed down securely to prevent it from blowing away. You can use rocks, bricks, or other weights to hold down the plastic. It is also important to prepare the area before laying the plastic. The soil should be moist so that it will hold moisture under the plastic. This will help to protect the soil and keep it warm, allowing for better plant growth.
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Plastic mulch for growing tomatoes and peppers
Plastic mulch can be used to grow tomatoes and peppers, and it offers several benefits. Firstly, it warms the soil, allowing for earlier planting and increased yields. Secondly, it helps retain soil moisture, which is particularly beneficial during dry weather. Thirdly, it suppresses weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides and manual weeding.
To use plastic mulch effectively for growing tomatoes and peppers, follow these steps:
- Prepare the garden bed: Clear the area of weeds and grass, and ensure the earth is moist.
- Place a soaker hose down the center of the bed.
- Roll out the plastic: Choose a plastic mulch that is suitable for your needs, such as black plastic or red plastic. Black plastic is widely used and offers benefits such as warming the soil and suppressing weeds. Red plastic, also known as Selective Reflective Mulch, is effective in retaining soil heat, increasing tomato yield, and repelling nematodes. Roll out the plastic to the length of the row, creating a "V" shape.
- Secure the plastic: Fill the "V" shapes with soil to hold the plastic mulch in place. Alternatively, you can use weights to secure the plastic, especially if using separate strips of plastic.
- Prepare the plants: Make holes for each plant using a narrow garden hoe or hori hori. Place the plants or seeds alongside each hole and transplant them.
- Provide support: Place tomato cages around each plant, especially for large varieties, to provide support and make harvesting easier.
- Stake the plants: Drive stakes into the ground alongside each cage and wire them together for added stability.
- Remove the plastic: At the end of the growing season, remove the spent plants and clean up the garden. Pull up the plastic mulch to prevent it from breaking down into small pieces that can be challenging to remove.
It is important to note that while plastic mulch offers advantages, it also has environmental considerations. Most black plastic ends up in landfills, but biodegradable and photo-degradable options are available. Additionally, plastic mulches can be labour-intensive and costly, especially when compared to organic mulches. Clear plastic sheeting can also be used to protect soil during the winter, but it may contribute to the use of fossil fuels.
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Protecting raised beds with plastic
Plastic can be an effective way to protect raised garden beds, but it is not the only option. It is also important to consider the drawbacks of using plastic.
Firstly, it is important to note that plastic is not organic. Most black plastic will eventually end up in landfills, unless you use a biodegradable alternative. Another drawback is that plastic can tear and break down into small pieces, which can be difficult to remove and can contaminate your soil.
However, if you do wish to use plastic to protect your raised beds, there are several methods you can use. One way is to create a plastic tent with open ends to keep the beds moist and protect them from becoming soggy. This can be done by using a hoop-house system or framing to hold the plastic off the soil, or by laying the plastic directly on the soil surface. This will protect your soil from winter rains, allowing it to warm more quickly in the spring and preventing nutrient loss.
Another method is to use plastic sheeting to "'solarize'" your soil. Clear or translucent plastic can be placed on the soil surface during the long days of the year, which will increase the temperature of the soil. This can help to reduce disease-causing organisms and pests while promoting the growth of heat-tolerant beneficial microbes.
Before using plastic to cover your raised beds, it is recommended to cut the grass and weeds as much as possible. You can then cover the area with thick, dark plastic sheeting, weighing it down to suppress growth and eventually kill everything underneath.
It is important to remove the plastic at the end of the growing season to avoid it breaking down into small pieces. Additionally, using a biodegradable option can help reduce the environmental impact of using plastic in your garden.
Alternative methods for protecting raised beds include using a winter cover crop, leaf mulch, or a weed barrier cloth. For wooden raised beds, you can also treat the wood with a preservative to protect it from sun and water damage.
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Solarization and occultation methods
Solarization and occultation are two methods that use plastic coverings to remove existing vegetation and get ahead of weeds. The main difference between the two is the type of plastic sheeting used: solarization uses clear plastic, while occultation uses opaque coverings, such as black plastic.
Solarization involves placing a clear plastic tarp over a garden bed, lawn, or field to heat up the soil underneath. The greenhouse effect created by the plastic traps heat and moisture, encouraging seed germination and plant growth. By depriving the vegetation of water and heating the soil, solarization eventually kills the plants underneath. Solarization can also help reduce pathogen populations in the soil. This method is typically effective within two to three weeks during hot, dry summers. It is important to note that the edges of the tarp should be buried or weighed down to prevent it from blowing away.
Occultation, on the other hand, uses opaque coverings such as black plastic tarps or cardboard. This method takes longer than solarization, typically requiring at least four weeks to be effective. The longer the covering is left in place, the more effective it becomes, up to about six weeks. Occultation can be used on a small scale with common tarps and cardboard, or on a larger scale with silage tarps and old billboards. Similar to solarization, it is important to secure the coverings by burying the edges or weighing them down with heavy objects like bricks or sandbags.
Both solarization and occultation can be used for weed management at any point in the season, but they are most commonly employed in the spring. These techniques can be applied in two ways: by tilling the soil first and then adding the tarp to suppress weed seeds, or by mowing the grass as short as possible and using the tarp to kill the remaining grass. Tilling prior to solarization or occultation can speed up the process and help aerate compacted soil.
It is worth noting that while plastic coverings can be effective in clearing land and creating new gardens, they are not organic and can contribute to landfill waste. Biodegradable or photo-degradable plastic mulches are available as more environmentally friendly alternatives. Additionally, the use of plastic may impact the soil's moisture retention and overall health, affecting the growth of future plants.
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Plastic sheeting vs. other materials
Using plastic sheeting in your garden comes with several benefits and drawbacks. It is a great way to block weeds and retain soil moisture. It is also affordable and practical compared to herbicides. Additionally, it can help eliminate pathogens and pests. Clear plastic allows light to pass through, warming up the soil for maximum mulching potential. This process, known as soil solarization, is an all-natural, non-chemical, and affordable way to rid the soil of organisms, plant pathogens, insects, and diseases.
However, plastic sheeting in gardens also has its disadvantages. For example, it can be challenging to work with when it gets wet, as it becomes slippery. The thin material also tends to break down after a few weeks, especially in harsh climates, and can be easily ripped up by the wind if not properly secured. Furthermore, in very cold areas, black plastic may not be effective in keeping the soil hot enough to kill weeds and pathogens. It is also important to note that most plastics are made with fossil fuels, and unless you use biodegradable or photo-degradable plastic, it will eventually end up in landfills.
As an alternative to plastic sheeting, you can consider using landscape fabric. Landscape fabric suppresses weed growth while allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the soil. It is more durable and expensive than plastic sheeting and comes in different types, each serving a specific purpose. It is designed for pest and weed management, drainage, hardscaping, and irrigation.
Another natural option is to use a winter cover crop, such as fava beans, annual ryegrass, or Austrian field peas. These plants add nitrogen to the soil and protect it from erosion during the rainy season. Leaf mulch is also an effective natural method to protect your soil during the winter. Simply rake up the leaves and place them on the garden beds, allowing them to break down and improve the soil texture over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Covering your garden with plastic can protect your garden bed soil from winter rains, allowing it to warm more quickly in the spring and preventing the loss of soil nutrients. It can also help to suppress and kill weeds, and some gardeners believe it improves the texture of the soil.
Clear plastic is often used to "'solarize' the soil, allowing light and heat to pass through and creating a greenhouse effect. Black plastic is also commonly used, as it absorbs light and can speed up soil warming. You can also use plastic mulches, which come in all different weights.
You can use landscaping stakes, or old metal coat hangers, to hold down the plastic sheeting. You can also shovel a few inches of dirt on the outside of the plastic roll to hold it down and tight to the row. Burying the edges of the plastic sheeting or using bricks or sandbags on the corners can help protect against wind.
Plastic sheeting can be prone to tearing and may need to be replaced every couple of seasons. It can also be difficult to remove, as it can break down into small pieces that blow around the yard. Most plastics are also made with fossil fuels, which can be harmful to the environment.
