I’m about a month into solarizing my median strip here in Seattle, and I’m starting to wonder if it’s working. Some patches look dead, some look like they are still alive. Is this typical?
The plan is to put in a native wildflower meadow, so it’s important that the grass is truly dead. The seed company I’ve ordered from warned that solarization may not work in the PNW. I figured with the long hours of sun we have here it should do well—but maybe not.
If not, what do you all recommend as a plan B? Should I rent a rototiller and till it? I’m worried that will bring up weed seeds. I’m hoping to seed wildflowers this fall for blooms next season.
by CautiousArmadillo
5 Comments
Are you using clear plastic? I think black would be much more effective.
Seattle 9a
I’ve never solarized anything like this.
That said, it seems to me that the parts that are still not dead are next to the pavement which might be helping them hold on longer.
It’s a combination of too moist, and not hot enough.
As another person said, black plastic would be better. The condensation is a bad sign after a month. If rain is regularly getting under the plastic, then sunlight is helping it survive. It will make it harder to cook the plants (not impossible, but higher temperatures required). options: cardboard on top of the plastic so they can be robbed of sunlight and the moisture won’t help them as much. Best option, black plastic which will raise the temperature by many degrees and cook the roots better.
The people suggesting black plastic are wrong, clear plastic is the way to go if you want to really cook everything including the weed seeds.
I don’t think you’re digging the trench deep enough, there should be no air getting in. And it looks a bit too dry under it, it should be very wet. It may be a bit too late into the season as well unless it’s getting a lot of sun. Ideal time to solarize is June/July especially in your area!