Re: CULT: black vs clear plastic
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] CULT: black vs clear plastic
- From: o*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 13:49:42 EDT
In a message dated 6/29/2002 12:02:23 PM Central Daylight Time,
lmann@volfirst.net writes:
> They are talking about seed planting rather than killing things, but
> it's still about trapping heat.
>
In this scenario the trapped, static air between the two layers acts as
insulation to prevent the heat from escaping much in the same manner as the
insulation functions surrounding your kitchen stove oven. This technique is
most often used for elevating mean soil temperatures during cool/cold months
in order to promote early growth. For the purpose of sterilizing soil during
hot months it is of little additional benefit though it may give an
incremental increase in temperature. Deeply rooted perennial weeds (polk
salad, iron weed, dock, poison ivy) are typically difficult to kill with heat
treatments but will succumb with sufficient time. One of the advantages of
opaque plastic is light depravation, light being one of the essentials for
plant survival. The elevated temps are most valuable in reducing/stopping
germination of weed seed already in the ground. When time considerations
prevent use of plastic, a flaming wand attached to a propane tank offers a
reasonable alternative. Sometimes this alternative however succeeds in
killing the present weed culprits and creating an ideal environment for new
varieties. Regardless of the method one pursues he must eventually resort to
one of three actions: use Roundup, use back muscles, or love wild flowers.
Smiles,
Bill Burleson 7a/b
Old South Iris Society
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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