From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ashby, MA

Has anyone used a large tarp to control weeds? Any downside to covering up the patch like this and slowly uncover the patch as the vine grows? The tarps I bought are construction grade and are green on one side and black on the other with UV protection. I placed the black side facing up with the idea of having it absorb more of the suns heat to kill the weeds under it.

5/4/2011 12:55:37 PM

Middle TN

Im a only a 2nd year grower but I once heard a very wise man say...covering the soil with plastic is like putting a plastic bag over your head lol... it smothers out valuable organisms in the soil.

5/4/2011 1:18:38 PM

Connecticut

    

No Problem here...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=140727

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=141681

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=141781

-Matt

5/4/2011 11:12:22 PM

Anchorage Alaska

I use a weed control fabric cloth ,that's black and perforated to let water and air thru. It controls weeds and help holds in ground heat , a blanket effect. I pull it back as the plant progresses, it seems to work alright, and eliminates most weeds under the canopy...

5/5/2011 1:01:45 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I agree with TNTAMMY. It's likely ok for afew days, but it gets very hot under these tarps. Interferes with moisture, drainage, earthworms, sunlight EVERYTHING. BUT IT DOES KILL WEEDS!!!

Phat Joe

5/5/2011 6:32:24 AM

Rhode Island

if you use perforated material and roll it back off the soil as the plants grows? might not be a bad idea but, to me id rather spray death from above a couple times and be done with it.
perforated matting i think would be better and will allow some moisture and air into the soil.
with a solid heavy tarp id be afraid of killing off good as well as bad as mentioned above-excessive heat-etc.
soil needs to breath to be healthy.

5/5/2011 9:13:00 AM

Ashby, MA

Hi Matt, I like your little pumpkin umbrellas in http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=141681

Pretty good idea.

Greg

5/5/2011 10:25:09 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I went out to my greenhouses yesterday (no plants in them yet) and there was a fine green carpet of just sprouted weeds. I laid out some leftover plastic I had (half black and half clear) to see if I could fry them out. Hopefully it works because I really don't want to go in there with a hoe!

5/5/2011 12:10:36 PM