I've been reading about solarizing and it looks like 2mm clear plastic should be good – thicker ones don't get as hot (and are more expensive)… but i'm concerned about the plastic breaking down or getting brittle in the sunshine if i don't get specifically UV treated (like greenhouse plastic) which is way more exensive.
Curious to hear if anyone here has used non-UV treated plastic on the thinner side and whether or not you had an issue with that.
I was eyeing the ULINE clear poly sheeting https://www.uline.com/BL_4001/Clear-Poly-Sheeting
Planning to solarize from whenever i get the plastic to like end of august, at least.. maybe partway through september. Then plant out plugs of yarrow etc which i'm starting indoors this summer.
by Over-Balance3797
3 Comments
In my experience, the brittle/breaking thing was more trouble than it was worth. I am hearing about microplastics in our soil, food, water more and more and looking back, this was a major headache with how many little shreds it broke in to. Only took a couple months for it to break down and once it started, the wind got ahold of it (despite being weighed down). Was a big cleanup but I got it all.
I invested in a larger sileage tarp (non-see through, black side, white side) and it has been going strong for years. Works well on even this nasty bermuda I am trying to kill off.
I’d say consider if you’re going to do this more than once, just make the investment up front. Another aspect is that solarizing seems to work well only if it’s going to get extremely hot where you are. Occultation (black out) will work even when it’s cold by light deprivation. If you’re dead set on solarization, then UV-treated greenhouse plastic will do the job well. I find the sileage tarp is tougher material and less prone to damage in comparison, can walk on it if you need to.
I also use some greenhouse plastic I had left over to cover some new plantings for their first winter and it works well for that use. So I got more of my money’s worth imo.
Get the silage tarp. It’s what organic farmers use and will last multiple seasons. You can beat it to hell without tearing it.
I had a very large area I solarized last year, thought I would compost but realized it was far too much work for the large space. I went with 4mm. Glad I did. I had to switch some of it out due to solar breakdown. I think 2mm would have broken down way too fast where I’m at.
ETA: those silage tarps look good. Could sell it after maybe.