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Subject: Re: solarizing a garden
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@gte.net>
Organization:
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 00 21:09:16
Message-ID: <MOD$001112.17384@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



Tom asks how to solarize his garden to manage Bermuda grass.
Section I.04.01 of the FAQ at http://metalab.unc.edu/rge gives
directions for solarizing gardens. It's relatively simple and
it is effective; however, be aware that solarization also cooks
the soil organisms.

I've used solarization on Bermuda grass and it worked O.K.

Wait until day time temperatures are about 85 F or 30 C, hand weed
as best you can and rake the garden clean and smooth, water
thoroughly and wait two weeks for remaining weeds to sprout, hand
weed again as best you can, water throughly again and cover with
2 mil CLEAR plastic tarp, bury the edges and solarize for a minimum
of 4 weeks. Remove clear plastic tarp and clean up debris.

If the soil is low in organic content, it would probably make good
sense to add a 1" -2" layer of compost or composted manure, and rake
it in to help restore populations of soil micro and macro-organisms.

The garden could be planted as soon as the soil has had a chance to cool.

Bill

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