Get Growing Faster With Hot Black Tarps
As a gardener, nothing is more frustrating than spending hours pulling weeds and preparing garden beds, only to have persistent weeds continually reappear. But what if you could skip the back-breaking work and get a jump start on the growing season using an unexpected garden essential - the black tarp!
Black tarps create an ideal weed-free garden bed while accelerating plant growth by warming the soil. This ingenious gardening technique harnesses the sun's power to improve your harvests.
What Are Black Tarps?
Black tarps, also known as plastic mulch, are large plastic sheets specially designed for agricultural and gardening applications. They are typically made from polyethylene plastic reinforced with UV inhibitors to prevent degradation in sunlight.
The most effective tarps for weed control and soil warming are coloured black or dark brown. The dark material absorbs heat from the sun's rays more efficiently than lighter colours.
Sizing
Look for tarps sized around 10 x 12 feet or larger to easily cover garden beds. Overlapping two or more tarps provides flexibility for tackling very large areas.
Thickness
Thicker tarps around 6-10 mil prevent punctures from stones and roots underneath. Durability is key for multi-season use.
The Science Behind Soil Warming
Lying a black tarp over the soil surface traps the sun's thermal energy. The dark tarp absorbs more sunlight than bare ground, converting light into heat. This heat can't escape and gets conducted down into the soil below.
Soil beneath a black tarp can reach temperatures up to 25degF higher than uncovered ground. You're using the sun as a ready-made heating system!
Benefits of Warmer Soil
- Earlier spring planting - Get a head start on the growing season
- Longer fall gardening - Extends your harvests
- Faster germination and growth - Helps seeds thrive
Black Tarps Smother Weeds
Lack of sunlight beneath the tarp kills existing weeds and prevents new seeds from sprouting. Devoid of light and unable to photosynthesize, the weeds die off and decay right in place.
This feeds and enriches your garden beds with a nutritious layer of organic material. After 2-6 weeks under the tarp, all you have left is conditioned, weed-free soil ready for planting.
A Chemical-Free Alternative
The black tarp method provides natural weed control without using commercial herbicides. And it's longer lasting than temporary solutions like mulches or landscape fabric.
Moisture Retention Benefits
The same mechanism that warms the underlying soil also prevents evaporation from the surface. Less moisture escapes, reducing the need for watering.
In hot and dry conditions, black tarps can save up to 70% of normal water requirements. They help conserve water usage in the garden.
Installing Black Tarps
Proper installation ensures the tarps stay put and deliver the best results:
- Remove existing vegetation - Pull weeds by hand or apply herbicide beforehand.
- Grade the soil surface smooth and free of debris.
- Unroll the tarp over the area, pressing down edges firmly.
- Bury edges or secure them with landscaping stakes to prevent lifting.
- Leave tarps in place for the desired duration - anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks typically.
- Plant directly into dead weed matter or till it into the soil.
Tips for Success
- Reuse tarps for 2-3 years until they degrade.
- Check under tarps occasionally to ensure full weed kill.
- Layer tarps in overlapping rows for large spaces.
- Pre-install tarps in fall for spring planting prep.
- Water the soil before installing tarps to aid heating.
Additional Applications
Beyond weed control and soil warming, black tarps offer other unique uses:
- Retain soil moisture during droughts
- Prevent erosion on slopes and banks
- Construct nutrient-rich raised garden beds
- Build mini-greenhouses for heat-loving crops
If frustration with weeding and garden preparation has held you back from growing your own food, give black tarps a try. Harness free solar energy to cultivate lush, weed-free beds for an earlier and more bountiful harvest.
You can grow your garden with a tarp.