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Middle TN

I had the soil turned up today and tomorrow I'll be adding the suggested amendments. (Can I just say grass is a PAIN! ugh) Should I try to cover the newly turned patch with a tarp or plastic until closer to planting time? I thought that might prevent the grass from growing back as quickly. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Tammy

3/7/2010 4:02:43 AM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

Is it dry enough to be working dirt in Tn. already? Clear plastic will help warm the soil. Black plastic will subdue weed growth. I'd spray the patch with Roundup a few days before "liftoff".

3/7/2010 10:59:37 AM

Middle TN

yes, its a lovely sunshiney 63 degrees today. I figure since its a new patch Id better get as much done as I can while the weather is nice. Rain is on the way according to the weather man. Using roundup wont cause damage to the plants I set out? Or mess up the amendments I added?
Tammy

3/7/2010 4:41:36 PM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

It won't hurt your plants or amendments. Just spray it before you set your plants out - not after.

3/7/2010 5:11:58 PM

Rhode Island

your plants will be better served if you wait and spray roundup just before your greenhouses are removed for the year. thats what we do.
just be sure the plants are completely covered ( thats why we spray for weeds just before greenhouses are removed)never spray on a windy day either.

in the future you may want to plan farther ahead and, when starting a new patch? spray the area with round up a couple weeks before you till.always spray when its over 65 degrees for best effect. for this reason sometimes its better when laying out a new patch that you spray round up the previous fall?then the grass and roots will be dead.

pap

3/12/2010 7:00:32 AM

Middle TN

Thanks Pap, you're right and I wish I had. I was unsure of where I was going to be living so I hesitated to start the patch. I didnt realize what a huge pain the grass would be, live and learn. I'll know better next time.
Tammy

P.S. Yesterday I was doing some research, reading some old posts and ran across one of yours from 2007 ... "a tarp on a garden is like putting a plastic bag over your own head" ... I literally laughed out loud, point taken and my tarps have been removed :)

3/12/2010 8:55:31 AM

Rhode Island

thats just my opinion tammy. i like the soil to get good air circulation.covering with a tarp to me would kill a lot of earth worms and air breathing micronutrients.

just like a compost pile air is needed for good health and microbial activity. the weeds can alwats be killed again before the greenhouses are removed.

3/12/2010 5:01:54 PM

Middle TN

It totally makes sense, I just never thought about it until I read your post. Its not often that I find good advice and a giggle in the same post, but I did in that one.
Thanks again,
Tammy

3/12/2010 10:35:15 PM