Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?

Thanks for any advice on this subject ..

Andy in Eureka, Texas

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?

Thanks for any advice on this subject ..

Andy in Eureka, Texas


The one I can think of is making your soil too warm.

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?


*** Disadvantages of Black Plastic ***

Initial Expense
It/s Ugly
Adds nothing to the improve fertility
It/s Ugly
Makes applying fertilizer difficult
It/s Ugly
Makes watering difficult
PIA to clean up when the season/s over
Eventually ends up in a landfill

Did I mention that it/s ugly?

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
: Andy asks:
:
: I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
: plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.
:
: So, it sounds like a really good idea.
:
: Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
: I should be aware of ?
:
: Thanks for any advice on this subject ..
:
: Andy in Eureka, Texas

Hey Andy

For the first time this year, we used some black plastic weed cloth in our
garden. We freshly tilled an area to plant corn in and it was surely going
to be full of grass so we gave it a shot. We usually cover out pathways with
straw so we covered it too and it blends in pretty well, and no grass in our
corn. The weedcloth (WalMart - $10 for about 120' x 3') says it's good for
several years and it lets moisture and nutrients in. I think the straw will
help keep the soil from heating up too much too.

It might be ugly, but it's pretty much out of sight and no grass in my corn.
www.selby.ws/images/garden.jpg
Sorry, the photo is fuzzy, even my camera isn't awake yet this morning.



Kate

:

Kate wrote:

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
: Andy asks:
:
: I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
: plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.
:
: So, it sounds like a really good idea.
:
: Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
: I should be aware of ?
:
: Thanks for any advice on this subject ..
:
: Andy in Eureka, Texas

Hey Andy

For the first time this year, we used some black plastic weed cloth in our
garden. We freshly tilled an area to plant corn in and it was surely going
to be full of grass so we gave it a shot. We usually cover out pathways with
straw so we covered it too and it blends in pretty well, and no grass in our
corn. The weedcloth (WalMart - $10 for about 120' x 3') says it's good for
several years and it lets moisture and nutrients in. I think the straw will
help keep the soil from heating up too much too.

It might be ugly, but it's pretty much out of sight and no grass in my corn.
www.selby.ws/images/garden.jpg
Sorry, the photo is fuzzy, even my camera isn't awake yet this morning.


Your garden is similar to mine. I have the individual raised beds like
that and used the black fabric between them, covering them with mulch.
It's the perfect slug defense.

I also find it's better to buy the 25 year fabric. It's thicker than the
5 year stuff and cuts out more light.

..

On 1 Jun 2006 14:07:08 -0700, "AndyS" wrote:

Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

I use weed cloth, which is black, but not plastic. I want something
that's going to let the moisture in, but keep the weeds down.
Depending on your weeds, it works pretty well. Some persistent ones
will try and grow out the same hole as the tomato, and crab grass will
grow right over it. It still prevents hours and hours of weeding,
though.

I cover over the weed paper with pine bark mulch, and rake it off in
the winter before I till the garden again.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?

Unless you have an irrigation system that runs under the plastic,
watering can be an issue. That's why I use a permeable weed paper.



Penelope
--
"Maybe you'd like to ask the Wizard for a heart."
"ElissaAnn"

On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 06:42:55 -0500, "Kate"
(please ask) wrote:

The weedcloth (WalMart - $10 for about 120' x 3') says it's good for
several years and it lets moisture and nutrients in. I think the straw will
help keep the soil from heating up too much too.

The weed paper itself is good for years, but you might have to take it
up to keep things like crab grass from growing right over top of it.
And lemon basil has been know to sprout on top of it, and put roots
right down through it, but lemon basil runs amok in my yard.


www.selby.ws/images/garden.jpg

Nice garden! I wished mine looked as tidy.


Penelope
--
"Maybe you'd like to ask the Wizard for a heart."
"ElissaAnn"

In article ,
"TQ" ToweringQs AT adelphia.net wrote:

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?


*** Disadvantages of Black Plastic ***

Initial Expense
It/s Ugly
Adds nothing to the improve fertility
It/s Ugly
Makes applying fertilizer difficult
It/s Ugly
Makes watering difficult
PIA to clean up when the season/s over
Eventually ends up in a landfill

Did I mention that it/s ugly?

What about landscaping/weed control fabric, topped with mulch?
I'd considered using that for weed control.....
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

In article ,
"Kate" (please ask) wrote:

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
: Andy asks:
:
: I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
: plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.
:
: So, it sounds like a really good idea.
:
: Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
: I should be aware of ?
:
: Thanks for any advice on this subject ..
:
: Andy in Eureka, Texas

Hey Andy

For the first time this year, we used some black plastic weed cloth in our
garden. We freshly tilled an area to plant corn in and it was surely going
to be full of grass so we gave it a shot. We usually cover out pathways with
straw so we covered it too and it blends in pretty well, and no grass in our
corn. The weedcloth (WalMart - $10 for about 120' x 3') says it's good for
several years and it lets moisture and nutrients in. I think the straw will
help keep the soil from heating up too much too.

It might be ugly, but it's pretty much out of sight and no grass in my corn.
www.selby.ws/images/garden.jpg
Sorry, the photo is fuzzy, even my camera isn't awake yet this morning.



Kate

:

You are talking weed cloth... Not black plastic. ;-)
I don't think the two are the same?
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"TQ" ToweringQs AT adelphia.net wrote:

"AndyS" wrote in message
ups.com...
Andy asks:

I've read that some posters here use black plastic with
plants like tomatoes, and probably others as well.

So, it sounds like a really good idea.

Are there any disadvantages to using black plastic that
I should be aware of ?


*** Disadvantages of Black Plastic ***

Initial Expense
It/s Ugly
Adds nothing to the improve fertility
It/s Ugly
Makes applying fertilizer difficult
It/s Ugly
Makes watering difficult
PIA to clean up when the season/s over
Eventually ends up in a landfill

Did I mention that it/s ugly?

What about landscaping/weed control fabric, topped with mulch?
I'd considered using that for weed control.....

Unless I/m mistaken, the weed cloth pictured in Kate/s garden and also used
by others in this thread is used to keep weeds down in the rows / walkways
between the beds.

Why not just leave a narrow strip between the beds and use a mower?

May/s garden...
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4756/00006608fi.jpg

Reverse angle...
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4166/00006732wa.jpg