As a follow-up to Brent and Gillian’s tarp trial last year, these growers evaluated the difference among tarp, landscape fabric and clear plastic for greens production.

Key Findings

• Occultation worked consistently for weed and residue management. Between tarp and landscape fabric, landscape fabric is much easier to manage.
• Clear plastic was not effective during shoulder seasons, when temperatures aren’t warm enough.
• The soil covers did not affect crop yield differently.
• Soil moisture retention was better with occultation, and soil moisture was highest under landscape fabric.
• Depending on farm and time of year, soil temperature peaked under all covers and uncovered soil, suggesting that occultation does not increase soil temperatures to a point that negatively affects soil biology.