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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] solarization

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  • From: "Wiediger, Alison" <alison.wiediger AT hart.kyschools.us>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] solarization
  • Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:26:07 -0500

Actually, some things survive depending on actual temperatures achieved and the depth at which they are achieved. We have found that nut sedge survives very well, but most weeds do not.  It's a great way to get am almost weed free bed. Most soil life, including beneficials, is killed, including pathogenic fungi.  However, research suggests that the beneficial fungi rebound more quickly, leading to a better balance in the soil.  Also, there is a nutrient "flush" and crops benefit from that for a short time.  We achieve the best temperatures in July and August when ambient temps are highest.  And we hope for mostly sunny days.  This past summer was not the best for solarizing.  Most important, remember that the effect only goes down a very few inches, and if you "till" below that zone, you will bring weed seeds and disease organisms right back to the surface.
 
For disease, especially sclerotinia, we also are finding bio-fumigation using a mustard plant, is pretty effective, and is easier to manage on small areas (like a bed or a part of a bed in our high tunnels) than solarization.  It's fast( about 6 weeks or less in summer), has a larger window (whenever mustard will grow), doesn't burn organic matter, and the seed is not expensive.
 
Alison Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm, SC KY


From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Todd Lister
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:46 PM
To: Market Farming
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] solarization was carbon loss

Absolutely everything dies.

OnWed, Oct 28, 2009 at 8:15 PM, Road's End Farm <organic87 AT frontiernet.net> wrote:

On Oct 28, 2009, at 6:05 PM, Garth & Kim Travis wrote:

It is clear plastic, over a very wet bed,
and weights along the edges so the bed can't dry out.  Sun can get hot
any time of the year.  I have been sunburned in Nothern Alberta in
January.  You want to steam the bed to kill disease and insects.


Doesn't this also kill all your beneficial soil life?

-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale
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