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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: Allan Balliett <igg AT igg.com>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
- Subject: Re: garlic question
- Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 02:04:59 -0400
Does anyone use plastic mulch for garlic? I have used straw in the past,
pulling it off in March and then cultivating several times. I thought about
planting on 6 inch to 8 inch squares on a 24 inch wide raised bed covered
with black plastic. Will I have a problem with heaving? Last November it
was very dry when we planted and that was the only time I have ever irrigated
garlic. Is there a problem with water (t-tape) under the plastic with
garlic? Thanks for your advice and experiences.
Ben in Maryland
Ben - I use straw on my garlic for thermal insulation, for blocking light (to promote root growth in the fall), and for moisture retention. The straw also blocks weeds. I would feel that black plastic wouldn't contribute much to those needs/functions.
I'm in northern Virginia. I'm digging garlic right now. This is the first year that the soil under the mulch has been DUST DRY. The garlic has not - - apparently - - suffered, but it would have been better to have watered a few times, I'm sure.
Incidentally, unlike many, I leave my straw mulch on all summer. (I do not rake it off as the soil warms.)
Again, I'm pretty happy with the garlic that I grow.
-Allan
-
garlic question,
RBCLO, 07/15/2002
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: garlic question, Allan Balliett, 07/16/2002
- Re: garlic question, pam, 07/16/2002
- Re: garlic question, Allan Balliett, 07/17/2002
- Re: garlic question, Chris Sawyer, 07/17/2002
- Re: garlic question, pam, 07/18/2002
- garlic question, Alliums, 07/19/2002
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