Solarization

Sun Power, to the Rescue

I re-purpose floor mats, anti-fatigue mats and runners that I salvage from the recycle center; black or dark colours work the best as they attract more heat from the sun.

The weeds or other plants underneath the plastic die and melt into almost nothing.

The beauty of this method is that beneficial micro-organisms and micorrhizae aren’t killed but harmful diseases or pests can’t survive the heat.

Sometimes solarization is referred to as 'sterilizing' the soil, but it's more a pasteurization method which allows the good bugs to survive unharmed.

There are two basic methods: using clear plastic or black plastic.

I use a short piece of black lumber wrap that gets moved around every week or two to keep the pathways clear of weeds. The plants deprived of sunlight get pale and leggy, and then when they’re exposed to the hot sun again they shrivel up and die.

It’s important to use this solarization technique in the hottest part of the summer for best results. In some cases it will take several repetitions over the summer.

For solarizing a new bed, use the lasagna gardening technique with a twist. Layer the organic materials that will form the bed, water well then cover with plastic.

The added heat and moisture will turn the bed into a garden in double quick time, allowing you to plant that much sooner. This method also works for pasteurizing compost to kill weed seeds, making it safe for use in potting soils and for seedling mixes.

After using this method for a while, you’ll probably wonder what you did before, as all the work is done for you.

go to Drought Smart Plants home page

Sustainable Gardening