For any native garden installation, the first step is to create planting beds. This often means clearing the area of whatever sod, brush, or weeds are growing.
For the fastest results, we at Our Land Organics often use a sod cutter to efficiently clear an area down to bare soil. This process is great for quickly transforming a space. If you have room in your yard, we suggest keeping the removed sod on site to decompose into an excellent compost for future use in your gardens. (This usually takes about a year.)
That said, sod cutting isn’t the only strategy for preparing a new garden bed. For those who aren’t in a rush to plant, sheet mulching and solarization are two excellent options. These methods also help promote overall soil health.
Below, we’ll define solarization and sheet mulching, detail the benefits of each turf destruction method and highlight some things to consider.
A solarization project in progress near Cincinnati
Solarization
Put simply, solarization utilizes heat and sunlight to destroy low-growing vegetation, roots, and weed seeds living in a given area. By cutting grass short and covering it with heavy-duty black plastic, you can have a cleared planting bed after one season.
Benefits of Soil Solarization
DIY-friendly
Solarization doesn’t require specialized equipment or knowledge, and it is a great way for handy homeowners to become involved in their garden project.
Hard on Invasive Species
When utilized for an entire year, solarization with black plastic has been shown to eradicate invasive species such as English ivy and lesser celandine very effectively. Amplify your efforts cutting back weeds low to the ground prior to solarization.
Soil Solarization: Things to Consider
When done properly, solarization can be a very effective method of preparing a planting bed. But there are certain things to be mindful of before electing to solarize a section of your property.
Time-frame
For best results, solarize the area in question during the hottest months (July, August, September). Keep the area covered for as long as possible.
Depending on the types of vegetation present, solarization could be complete anywhere from one season to one year after the solarization process starts. Tenacious weeds, such as invasive species, might need to be solarized for a full year to prevent grow-back.
Sun Exposure
Solarizing relies on the sun’s energy to cook weeds and roots, so it is not an effective method for heavily shaded, woodland settings.
Water Movement
For sloped or wet areas where water is known to move, solarization can cause water to sheet on top of or beneath the plastic. Depending on what direction water is moving, this can create drainage issues.
Sheet mulching a hillside. Photo credit: Hayes Valley Farm