Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Ellendra

You can solarize soil and kill weed seeds.

After a soaking rain, put down clear plastic and secure it.

The sun will super heat the soil and sterilize it of weed seeds down to about 6-8 inches.

It takes hot sun and about 6-8 weeks.

Not real helpful for this summer but it would be ready for a fall garden or for planting next year...you can still use landscape fabric.


127 posted on 04/21/2012 11:20:50 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies ]


To: TASMANIANRED
The sun will super heat the soil and sterilize it of weed seeds down to about 6-8 inches.

The sun will superheat the soil, but only if it can get to the soil. Clear plastic wouldn't do much to deal with the 1-2 foot layer of weeds and dead stalks. Some of those weeds would even enjoy it, they're thick enough to push the plastic off the ground enough to get airflow underneath, and the result would be like a cold frame.

There was an area where I tried using black plastic, thinking it would sterilize the soil like that. The weeds laughed at it. The landscaping fabric I have now has some weight to it, and is tough enough the sharper weeds can't just poke right through like they did with the plastic. I do appreciate the suggestion, though!
129 posted on 04/22/2012 10:29:39 AM PDT by Ellendra ("It's astounding how often people mistake their own stupidity for a lack of fairness." --Thunt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies ]

To: TASMANIANRED

Thank you, very much. I have weeds in a garden by the pasture, so being in Texas, I’m going to try that. THANK YOU!!


138 posted on 04/22/2012 7:51:07 PM PDT by tillacum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson