Re: Soil Sterilization

Does anyone know how to sterilize(?) the soil in wooden sided raised
beds to prevent the germination of weed seeds?  The beds are about 4X4
and maybe 18 inches deep. The purpose isn't to get rid of any
disease-just make weeding easier later on.   Judy Warner@ultrane


If you don't have anything else planted there that you  want to save, I would
cover the entire bed with black plastic for three or four weeks. 

 Or use  paper landscape fabric to cover the bed for the season, (you could
also put a layer of three or four sheets of newspaper under the paper
covering, just don't use the sections of the paper that have the colored ink)
cover the bed with soil and then cut slits where you wanted to put your
plants.  

Another thing you might consider is putting your plants in and then using one
of the pre- emergients designed for garden beds.  Most would tell you to then
put down two or three inches of mulch.  Personally, every time I have put down
mulch, I find a fungus in it within about a month, so I don't do that thing
any more. 

The only mulch I intend to use this year is the compost I can get free from
the city landfill.  Subdivision restrictions prohibit a true composte pile
here (although I do sort of cheat).

Hope this helps.
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