Re: [CH] Plastic Mulch Or Not
The NorthEast ChileMan (thenortheastchileman@attbi.com)
Thu, 27 Feb 2003 06:21:10 -0500
Hi Mike,
I do not use the *plastic* type row cover, I use the breathable landscape
fabric. Even though water passes through, I still use soaker hoses under the
fabric because I've read sprinklers waste up to 70% of the water through
evaporation & watering areas unnecessarily. It's available at Wally World &
not overly expensive considering I'm on my third year with it. I pay the
city to pipe water in & they charge to pipe it out by what I use. The less I
use in the garden the less it cost's me in sewer fees.
Your question is, "is the extra trouble with watering worth it? " The
first few years I gardened & the area small, weeding was a chore. As my
garden expanded weeding became the most time consuming aspect of what was
suppose to be "fun". I haven't pulled a weed in three years.................
Hope this helps,
Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Benson" <mbens@execpc.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 February, 2003 4:53 PM
Subject: [CH] Plastic Mulch Or Not
> I've been thinking of using plastic mulch in the pepper patch this
> year. I've never used the stuff myself, but I've seen how it looks at
> the Open Fields. With 288 peppers started so far, this will be by far
> the largest garden I've attempted. Although it will be more work
> earlier in the season getting the plastic put down, the time saved in
> weeding should be well worth it.
>
> The question is, I
> figure I'll have to either use a soaker hose or drip tape under the
> plastic, or just water the heck out of the area until the water makes
> it under the plastic.
>