Re: Soil Warming Alternative To IRC Poly Mulch

**K*@aol.com**

Sheri
If you have horse farms near, the traditional way was to line a trough or  
cold frame with fresh manure, and use that you heat nearby soil. I don't  know 
if that would work for you or not.
Kate

Kate  Copsey
Garden Writer
_www.katecopsey.com_ (http://www.katecopsey.com/) 
_www.radiosandysprings.com_ (http://www.radiosandysprings.com/) 
blog:  www.katesgardenblog.com  

In a message dated 3/12/2009 5:04:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com writes:

I want  to get a head start on the vegetable garden this year. I heard
someone say  they planted eggplant and other heat loving vegetables in
mid-April in zone  4 using frost cover and IRC poly mulch. 

I hate to use plastic in my  garden for many reasons. I generally use straw
for mulch between the rows.  I have the frost cover but need to figure out
how to make the hoops to hold  it up from the vegetables.

Is there an earth friendly, inexpensive  alternative to the IRC poly mulch
that would warm the soil equally well? I  know about the paper mulch but as
far as I know it is not available in the  US.

Thanks,
Sheri
http://www.exoticgardening.com

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