Solarization of the yard is the process of covering your yard, usually with plastic, to kill off unwanted weeds or grass. Here are some helpful links to give you more information.
Solutions for your life UF - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in856
Wayne Schmidt's soil solarization page - http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/solarization.htm
Popular mechanics - http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/4350153
Ugly right? |
On Wednesday, we took the cover off. Yep, it's the learning curve. Under the tarp we found green. Not what we expected. The funny thing was that all the grass had been killed off! The spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) and really soft nice looking clover that grows under the oak tree where growing very nicely if a little flattened.
Still ugly! |
We had done solarization on the side where the veggie patch is growing. It worked great for that. Perhaps the tarp let in too much light with out being folded? What ever the case my husband (such a good man) helped me fold the tarp and cover a smaller section.
We did discover this...
The soil under the tarp looked good. So to save face I took a box of seeds a good friend of mine had given me and sprinkled it around. It is the American Seed wildflower sunny area mix. With luck something will grow...if we can keep the chickens out of it.
Have you researched the no-till garden method? It's an easy way to start a new planting bed without too much work. You can find good information about it here: http://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2012/11/20/growing-simple-the-raised-row-garden-way/.
ReplyDeleteWhen we get our homestead, it's the way I'm planning to start all of our new beds.
Glad to have found another local gardener! ;0)
Thank you for the information. That is a great website. I will need to keep an eye out for some cheep organic matter to add to the soil.
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