Re: [gardeners] solar killing of weeds
olin (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Mon, 11 Jun 2001 10:02:00 -0700
In the warmish low desert (currently between 105 and 110 deg) we usually
solarize pretty much as George suggested. But here it also helps to wet the
area before applying the clear plastic. It encourages seed germination,
then the propagules burn up from the heat. Solarization doesn't work for
Bermudagrass roots. They go too deep and need to be dug out instead. -Olin
----- Original Message ----- From: "George Shirley" <gshirl@bellsouth.net>
> Use clear polyethylene, cover the sides with dirt so no air gets under,
leave
> for about 6 weeks and it should sterilize the ground down about 6 inches.
The
> idea behind leaving that long is it kills the surface greenery then gives
the
> buried seeds and roots a chance to sprout and then kills them, etc.
>...
> George
>
> lneuru wrote:
> > of weeds, that is. What does one use to solarize a patch of ground,
black
> > sheet plastic? How long is the ground to be covered, roughly? We are
> > thinking of doing in some weeds while on vacation.
> > Lucinda
>