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market-farming - [Market-farming] Re: Hot tips for installing Plastic Mulch without alayer?

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  • From: "Tom at Limerock" <limerock AT thirdplanet.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Re: Hot tips for installing Plastic Mulch without alayer?
  • Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 10:51:21 -0400

Here is the way we did it in the past, and after a little experience we were
laying a couple thousand feet.

Take the roll of plastic, find an old handle (like from a push broom) long
enough to extend out each side of the roll by about six inches. Cut two
lengths of smaller diameter rope. Attach rope to each end of handle close
to the end of roll. Clove hitch works great.

Have ground worked nicely.

If you want a straight row, especially if you are laying several rows, you
will need to layout your rows. We used those three foot step-in metal
posts. Stretch a string line. We have strung rows over 300". Try to keep
the stringline 6"-9" or so above the ground. This will allow you to roll
without disturbing the line. Just sight the line, with the edge of the
plastic, from above.

One person stands on the end of the plastic while the other person walks
backwards, with the ropes attached to the plastic roll, keeping an eye on
the stringline. Depending on the wind speed and direction, lay out ten or
so feet.

Then, person #1 takes a wide blade hoe and covers the end of the plastic and
several feet of the sides. #2 then rolls out more, once again going as far
as conditions allow. #1 goes along and 'spot covers' about a foot of
plastic every 3'-7'. Then, #1 jumps to the other side and 'spot covers' the
other side. When doing the second side, first gently stretch the plastic
tight with your boot and then cover. (Works much faster with one person on
each side.)

After catching up to the 'roller', have them lay some more. Keep going
until done.

Then, one person can complete covering the edges, or both can. Here again,
I have found you get a better job doing one side then stretching the second
side as you go.


Tom Anslow
Limerock Orchards and Roadside Market

(Proud owner of a Rain-flo plastic layer, which is going into action today.
Yes, it is a lot of money, gets very little use, but you can lay plastic in
any wind conditions, and we have lots of windy days here.)


> Any ideas? What we do: 'trench' the shoulders of the beds, stretch
> the plastic over the bed and trenches and then 'fit' the plastic on
> hands and knees, backfilling the trenches to hold the plastic down,
> is a little labor and dignity intensive to think that it's the only
> way to do it.
>
> Anyone come up with a good way of installing plastic on a 100ft bed
> without $1000 worth of equipment?
>
> Thanks -Allan






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