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Solarization is a technique used by organic farmers to disembarrass soil of blighter and disease in between crop plantings . It ’s an in effect and scientifically proven technique that is environmentally - friendly and lazy nurseryman - favorable . Keep reading to check how to solarise your home garden bed during summer month when nothing grows in our blaze warmth anyway .
What is solarization?
solarisation is the process of trapping the warmth generated by sunlight and raising the temperature of the top stratum of soil to a point that kill pests and disease pathogens .
A2001 study performed at Texas A&Mfound that four - calendar week solarization reducedweedseed germination by 96 % .
The scientifically studied method for solarization is to cover filth with clear-cut plastic and get out in place for at least 4 workweek until the territory has been in effect treated .
Here are the footprint for solarise your dirt at home :
Step 1: Clear garden bed of debris.
off all plant cloth , weeds , and mulch material from the area to be insolate . The neat the bed , the more efficient the solarization .
Step 2: Wet the area.
To maximise warmth generation , wet the arena thoroughly before applying charge card so that the charge card will entrap in wet and make steam .
Step 3: Apply plastic.
lie down a exclusive layer of clear plastic . According toUC Davis , the thinner the plastic , the gamy the warmth generated . However , thinner credit card is more prostrate to tearing . UC Davis recommend 2 mm plastic , but I use4 mm credit card . At this weight , I can walk across the bed if necessary without worrying about the charge plate lachrymation .
Also , it is of import that the plastic is well-defined . White or shameful charge card does not bring forth as much heat as clear plastic .
Secure all boundary of the charge plate with a layer of ground , mulch or operose rock’n’roll . It ’s important that the moisture and heat is wholly immobilize .
Tip : If the bed is scratchy , weewee can roll up on top of the plastic . Standing urine in the heat of the summertime appeal mosquito . I recommend rank a stemma of brick or stones down the centre of your bottom underneath the plastic so that water can roll off of the plastic if it rains or if you have sprinkler .
Step 4: Do nothing for 4 weeks
Yes . Do nothing . Leave the plastic in place for at least four weeks to ensure maximum solarisation . The best months in North Texas to sun are July , August , and September when it is hottest and sunniest . This is the perfect time to train beds forfall planting .
There should be a layer of condensation under the charge card throughout the solarization process . If you stop seeing condensation , the layer has dry out . Remove plastic , re - wet soil , and supersede plastic .
Step 5: Remove plastic and incorporate compost
After at least four weeks , move out the plastic and incorporate a good amount of gamey - quality compost into the seam to regenerate good germ .
Learn more about the science
To larn more about the science behind solarization and the result of solarisation studies visit the following :
Texas A&M : Soil Solarization
UC Davis : Soil Solarization
Technologies for Horticultural Development fact sheet : solarisation shorten weeds , pests in a hebdomad
