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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Re: No more red mulch

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Re: No more red mulch
  • Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 07:59:09 -0500

In northern Illinois, you have to be careful using clear plastic mulch. When
you create openings for plants, or tear holes, you must seal them with loose
soil (Just throw some over the edges). Otherwise, the heat is ventilated and
the weeds underneath the clear mulch survive. As they grow, they'll push the
mulch right out of the ground. But growers who seal the holes can use it
successfully.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center


>In Oklahoma, where it gets darned hot, I know vegetable
>farmers that use clear plastic mulch. The weeds grow
>like crazy underneath the clear plastic.
>
>"But so what," the farmer tells me, "they're not going anywhere."
>
>The weeds eventually die and turn into an mulch under the plastic.
>
>This goes back to the mid-80s. We conducted an on-farm trial
>comparing clear plastic, black plastic, vs. bare ground.
>
>Cantaloupes and watermelons.
>
>They were so happy with results they bought a plastic mulch
>layer and a mechanical transplanter.
>
>Later, they got out of black plastic and just went to clear plastic.
>
>Flood irrigation in channels next to ridged beds.
>
>No herbicides.
>
>The sun bakes the weeds.
>
>I don't know if it will work in cooler climates.
>
>Steve Diver
>Fayetteville, Arkansas
>
>
>
>
>
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