Good work! I have used solarisation on home gardens but not on a landscape scale.
I was interested to see black plastic used. The first time I came across the technique, sometime in the 80s, the recommendation was for clear plastic to force and kill above ground growth prior to heating the soil.
It had to be thick so that plants could not push through it. And I have only used it on herbaceous plants not woody ones.
This is an awesome experiment. I had no idea Sea Lavender was even invasive! I am curious as to how tarping could help with controlling other invasive plants.
Destiny, thanks so much! We have a native sea lavender in our marshes, western marsh rosemary. Some people call it California sea lavender. The sea lavender from Europe is highly invasive. I've seen places where it has taken over, pushing out all natives and comprising near 100% cover.
You raise the next question that this research raises, whether this technique works for other invasives. I've read where it has been used successfully on iceplant. My guess is that it could be used successfully on invasive annuals, such as grasses, and herbaceous perennials.
Good work! I have used solarisation on home gardens but not on a landscape scale.
I was interested to see black plastic used. The first time I came across the technique, sometime in the 80s, the recommendation was for clear plastic to force and kill above ground growth prior to heating the soil.
It had to be thick so that plants could not push through it. And I have only used it on herbaceous plants not woody ones.
Fascinating!
This is an awesome experiment. I had no idea Sea Lavender was even invasive! I am curious as to how tarping could help with controlling other invasive plants.
Destiny, thanks so much! We have a native sea lavender in our marshes, western marsh rosemary. Some people call it California sea lavender. The sea lavender from Europe is highly invasive. I've seen places where it has taken over, pushing out all natives and comprising near 100% cover.
You raise the next question that this research raises, whether this technique works for other invasives. I've read where it has been used successfully on iceplant. My guess is that it could be used successfully on invasive annuals, such as grasses, and herbaceous perennials.