In my veggie garden I have a severe weed problem, pardon the pun, with pig weed, sedge, goose grass etc. I try to make it as organic as possible, therefore do not like to use herdicide. I am also to lazy/busy to pull them all. Has anyone used this method before? How long should I leave plastic on?Thanks in advance for your help

__________________
Everything I say is for entertainment only. Most likely not true. I say it to be like everyone else.

I've never done it, but I think it takes a long time to fully rid the soil of unwanted seeds.

are u serious get off ur lazy azz and pull all that crap out

__________________
My 250 HPS bagseed grow=FAILED=http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/142766-7-plant-bagseed-250w-hps.html Check out my 250 HPS stealth cab coming soon.........

i am really shure the plastic stays down i use the garden weasel its the one with 5 forks on the bottom and you turn it by hand. or a small rototiller if you are lazy. any garden is alot of work.

__________________

Solarizing is easy and pretty straightforward. Lay out plastic sheeting, weigh it down, and wait. The intense heat basically sterilizes the soil underneath.

This source recommends clear plastic, but I've found black suits my needs.
http://www.tucsongardener.com/Year99...9/solarizi.htm

Good luck and good growing.

__________________
Screw organized crime. Grow yer own damn weed!



Don't Talk to Police

Proud member of NORML

Bigbenzo you don't understand i'm in the tropics. Once the problem gets out of hand its uncontrolable. It would take 6 or 8 hours a week to pull them.

__________________
Everything I say is for entertainment only. Most likely not true. I say it to be like everyone else.

Thanks jonny organic thats the link i needed your the man

__________________
Everything I say is for entertainment only. Most likely not true. I say it to be like everyone else.

the weeds you listed won't be controlled well with solarization. they are all hot weather plants. the nutsedge also reproduces with seeds and little potato like roots called nutlets. all the seeds can stay dormant for 10's of years if need be. the the goose grass can be controlled the most, but the pigweed with it's extremely hard seed coat and nutsedge with it's two method's of reproducing pose more issues. let them germ and then spray with vinegar if you need to be organic. try a blow torch even.

Somewhere there is a thread about using old carpet for your garden. Lay it out then cut holes to plant in. It's apparently weed free and a very interesting look.

I have used both plastic and carpet in the garden.Both have their drawbacks.Plastic causes the soil to heat up too much and does not allow for proper watering.You will need soaker hoses run down each row to water,if you try to water just at the base of the plant it will not encourage the roots to spread.If you use plastic you will need to cover it with mulch to keep the heat down.Plastic tears apart into little pieces when you try to take it up.
Carpet is better,it lets the rain pass through and does not retain the heat.It also will fall apart after a year on the ground and be a pain to get up.
Whatever you do have your soil tested and prep your soil so you only have to fertilize once.Fertilizing every time or other time you water is bad for the aquafer,that is why all of our creeks have green moss growing in them.
Buy a mini tiller like the mantis,3or4 times over the garden will bring the seeds to the top and kill the seeds.Even when you have some pop up during the season it is easy to get around the plants and helps keep the top from crusting up.OPH