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Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Ok so I have an area with thistle so i will be using plastic mulch. any adivice. I will be laying several drip tape rows down underneith the plastic.

1/27/2012 5:31:41 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

why water underneath the plastic? not a healthy scenario

1/27/2012 10:15:59 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I read somewhere that its not good for microorganisms?

1/28/2012 11:11:10 AM

Corryton, TN

If you don't have time to weed and/or use chemicals go for it. Better to have a nice one grown on plastic than a small one in a weed patch. Monitor water closely. Waterloging can be an issue. Train vines to grow the direction that the wind blows the most and figure out a way to anchor vines. An alternative would be to use landscape fabric with a thin layer of sand over the top. Larger rolls can usually be found at Home Depot or Lowe's. I've grown them both ways and in a weed patch. The thistles are the least fun way.

1/28/2012 1:52:18 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Thanks for the advice brother dave.
It does have thistle.

1/28/2012 6:16:11 PM

Mount Vision, NY

I like Dave's advice on landscape fabric. It allows for water and air movement and in the past I've used it on it's own with great results. A few weeds may break through here and there, but way better than bare ground. It also tends to warm the soil though probably not as much as black plastic mulch.

1/28/2012 6:40:20 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Strategy....

1/29/2012 8:16:50 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Pre Emergent herbicide

1/29/2012 8:17:36 PM

Hinckley MN

another option is to get one a roll on herbicide applicator and use either roundup or vinegar in it. "side-swipe" is one brand of roll on applicator. most garden catalogs are starting to carry some form of roll on applicator.

1/30/2012 10:00:34 AM

Litchfield N. H. 03052

Commercial farmers have been using drip under plastic for years . Mostly on early and / or small pumpkins.

1/30/2012 8:58:52 PM