How Does Soil Solarization Work?
During the hottest summer months of the year, garden soil is covered by a layer of thin, clear plastic for at least 6 weeks (the longer the better to ensure sufficient temperatures). The plastic is completely sealed (buried) into the soil at its edges. Black or other colored tarps or materials do not provide adequate solarization. It is the nature of the transparent plastic that allows for the high temperatures (up to 140 degrees F) necessary to cleanse the soil. Dark or translucent films end up reflecting too much heat, rather than trapping it. document.getElementById(‘adsense_placeholder_2’).innerHTML = document.getElementById(‘adsense_ad_2_hidden’).innerHTML; The soil should be cultivated, made flat and watered well before solarizing. A high moisture content will make the organisms more susceptible to thermal damage. Care should also be taken not to allow the plastic to become punctured or loosened as the heat will escape. Controlling Nematodes in the Home Garden Although heavy rain
