Environment Friendly Landscaping Ideas
In today’s environmentally and economically conscious world there is a need for new and better ways to take care of landscaping. Both residential and commercial property owners are researching new ways to create inspiring landscapes without high maintenance costs, and this includes reducing or eliminating the use of chemicals. While this may sound like an unpleasant and more work-intensive task, the truth is really as simple as implementing new techniques.
Obviously a big concern for most property owners is weed control. Chances are if you have soil anywhere you run the risk of getting weeds, and they are notoriously difficult to handle without help from special herbicides. One method you can implement before you even begin to plant is soil solarization, a preventive, organic method of killing weeds. This method is ideal if your property is weed-prone. Soil-borne diseases and pests can cause major damage and loss to your plant investments. It makes a lot of sense to take the time to protect that investment by utilizing this method. According to the University of California Cooperative Extension (ceamador.ucdavis.edu);
"The area to be solarized should be level and free of weeds, debris, or large clods, which could raise the plastic off the ground. Transparent (not black or colored) plastic tarps or sheeting 1 to 4 mils (0.001 to 0.004 inch) thick are anchored to the soil by burying the edges in a trench around the treated area. Plastic tarps can be laid by hand for small farms or gardens or by commercial machinery for large farms. To prevent air pockets that retard the soil heating process, there should be a minimum of space between tarps and the soil surface. The soil under the plastic is then soaked with water by inserting one of more hose or pipe outlets under one end of the tarp. If the soaking step is impractical, the soil may be irrigated before laying the plastic, but care should be taken to apply the plastic as soon as possible to avoid water loss. If, however, heavy machinery is used, the soil must be dry enough to avoid soil compaction.
The plastic should be left in place 4 to 6 weeks to allow the soil to heat to the greatest depth possible. The plastic should then be removed and the soil allowed to dry to a workable texture. The soil can be planted to a fall or winter crop or left fallow until the next growing season. If the soil must be cultivated for planting, the cultivation should be shallow (less than 2 inches) to avoid moving viable weed seed to the surface."
Once your soil is prepared or if your property is naturally resistant to weed growth you can place a landscape fabric and then mulch cover where needed to assist in the prevention of weed growth. Landscape fabric allows a certain amount of air and moisture though to promote a much healthier environment for plant growth.
Keep in mind that not everyone agrees with the use of landscape fabric AND mulch. Many prefer simply using a layer of natural mulch, such as pine mulch or bark chips to cover soil around flower beds and bushes. It is best to consult your local garden center or landscape experts for recommendations on what methods work best in your area.
Victoria Gates is a proud supporter of small American businesses such as the north Florida based wholesaler Custom Pine Straw. You can find out more about their operations and location by visiting http://www.custompinestraw.com on the web.
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
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