using black trash bags to warm soil?
kawaiineko_gardener
14 years ago
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nycynthias
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Messed up and used Black Gold soil
Comments (29)Really.. so you guys would recommend just using all new soil? That's fine by me, probably won't cost more than buying that much pumice or perlite would. Al, I'm not sure if I can afford a big delivery of potting mix at the moment. Like I said, I'm short on funds now and trying to fix this as economically as possible. Without sacrificing too much love for my plants, of course. I'm likely either going to mix up some 5-1-1 (haven't looked into the prices for this yet), or find a proper potting soil somewhere around here that I can buy a few bags of. I'll be glad to get rid of this black gold once and for all, it's been nothing but a headache. I plan on using it in a raised bed, if that would work. Thanks for the help everyone. Feel free to give any more advice you have, it should be until the weekend before I can get any of this done. Zac...See Moreneed help with black plastic (black mulch....for warming soil)
Comments (7)This has always struck me as odd, since black plastic doesn't absorb a lot more sunlight than dark colored soil. But I guess it adds a layer of insulation, so that to the extent the soil warms up, it won't cool as fast. In that regard, any plastic would do. Clear would probably work as well as black. Fruit production starts to tail off for tomatoes when nighttime temps don't get much below 75F. Peppers and eggplants should do fine. But that's air temperature. Your plastic on the ground won't affect the air temperature, one way or another. To the extent you have plants growing on the black plastic, they'll shade it, and you won't get any ground heating at all. I mean, the idea is that once the plants are mature, the sunlight should hit THEM, not the plastic. I assume this plastic is perforated, so you can irrigate? You can just check the soil temp, and if it starts getting uncomfortably high, just throw some leaves or newsprint over it....See MoreOK Gonna try potatoe bags Can I use those bags for Walmart or Pub
Comments (25)Tom, "John, are you using the white bags? I'd be concerned about the dyes and chemicals in the other colors.... " Good point. Heres what they (Greenbag Inc) say... "Is made from non-toxic, non-corrosive materials and safe color-fast dyes". I'm interested in these for several reasons, drainage, cooling and cost. I know they drain well, I don't think you could ever fill one with a garden hose. The upside down tomato bag I tried last spring stayed cool and it was black. The ones from Publix are a buck and I hear W mart's are cheaper. So I'll give it a try. john...See MoreUsing black plastic to raise soil temps
Comments (5)Many discussions here about this and I have linked some of them below. You'll also find several on-going discussions on its use, advantages and disadvantages over on the Soil & Mulch forum. That said, timing of application is crucial as you discovered. Organic mulches are generally more beneficial but can't be applied until after the soil has warmed up first. If you opt to use the plastic - be sure it is an actual mulching plastic with air and water holes in it, not solid plastic - don't pull it up, cover it with organic mulch and leave in place to keep the root cool in mid-summer. Dave http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/msg051248164720.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wisconsin/msg121147285884.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/giants/msg0607064417571.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/prof/msg091140145826.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/mngard/msg0113062929742.html...See Morethepodpiper
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