Getting soil ready for planting

[Knight]

I think I will try covering the grass for one week with a tarp. I was told this works well for killing grass. I would prefer this over a product like roundup.

 

[charlz]

I think I will try covering the grass for one week with a tarp. I was told this works well for killing grass. I would prefer this over a product like roundup.

I think you are maybe referring to 'solarization'? This only works if the temps underneath are high enough to sterilize soil/seeds etc. Ever pick up a board on the ground and all the grass is still there but just yellow? That's what will happen if the temps are not high enough.

Killing with roundup etc certainly helps but it is not a total requirement. If you have a grass that comes back from rhizomes it probably is. Otherwise you will just get some grass clumps that comes back and are easily pulled from the loose soil. Grass and weed seeds etc aren't going away with roundup anyway.

 

[Egon]

I will have to admit that the early planted crops seems to be doing noticeably better than in the past

That would seem to be answerer for your question.

Did you seed the rye egon or is it just "volunteer"?

I seeded the winter rye. Broadcast by hand and harrowed with a home built contraption that actually works well for this application.

The Deer Like me.

 

[spruce Deere]

I seeded the winter rye. Broadcast by hand and harrowed with a home built contraption that actually works well for this application.

The Deer Like me.[/QUOTE]

Thanks egon Looks good. Deer do like rye!!!

 

[Knight]

I think you are maybe referring to 'solarization'? This only works if the temps underneath are high enough to sterilize soil/seeds etc. Ever pick up a board on the ground and all the grass is still there but just yellow? That's what will happen if the temps are not high enough.

Killing with roundup etc certainly helps but it is not a total requirement. If you have a grass that comes back from rhizomes it probably is. Otherwise you will just get some grass clumps that comes back and are easily pulled from the loose soil. Grass and weed seeds etc aren't going away with roundup anyway.

I'm sure your right about that, I used black plastic and some old blue tarps.
I bet that the black plastic will get much hotter than the tarps.
We'll see what happens...............

 

[The Dougster]

I'm not much of a gardener but I have read that one should use clear plastic for this to be effective... counter intuitive aint it?

 

[Baby Grand]

Nice set up, carey063. Looks all ready to plant.
Do you use the hamburger as an armrest 8^) ?

 

[patrick_g]

I prefer to not broadcast fertilizer and work it in... the stuff that ends up between the rows etc just helps the weeds grow. I like to use Osmocote slow-release and just sprinkle it around the plants.

AMEN!! Why fertilize weeds? Osmocote or otherwise, even just regular non coated non time release fertilizer placed near the plants is better than broadcast. Not arguing against wide application/broadcast of compost or soil loosening amendments, if needed, but broadcasting the fertilizer encourages weeds where no garden plants receive benefit.

Drip irrigation and such as recycled tire soaker hose with fertilizer added to the water is another good method but takes a lot of hose for a larger garden. There are accessories for drip irrigation that let you put granular fertilizer, pelets, or liquids in a container through which passes your irrigation water. If you only water the plants then you only fertilize those plants and not all the spaces between plants and rows where weeds will grow. I have enough to do trying to keep weeds away from the plants and don't want to have to also fight healthy fertilized weeds in the inter plant and inter row spaces.

Do not be surprised if the instructions on a bag of fertilizer recommends broadcast application, after all they want to sell more fertilizer!

Pat

 

[careyo63]

Do you use the hamburger as an armrest 8^) ?

Just tend to rest it when I can it has to do all my work.

 

[jlknapp505]

One of the appliances I've seen is called a "power hoe", or so the guy who has it named it. It's a set of round, bent tines mounted to a wheel, and there are several of these wheels side by side; they rotate while the device is pulled along. According to the fellow who owns it, it breaks up the ground very well. Anybody know anything about this tool? (jlknapp505@msn.com)
Anyway, it's cheaper than a tiller and appears to do somewhat the same thing.