Solarization also eliminates some soil diseases, including Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt, damping-off, crown gall, tomato canker, and potato scab, allowing healthy plants and ...

Are you looking for a low-labor, chemical-free method to help eradicate weeds and soil-residing pests in the garden? Solarization and occultation, often referred to as “tarping,” may be just what ...

As some summer crops are beginning to wind down, now is the time to consider what's next. There is still plenty of time to get that second planting of squash, beans and even tomatoes in the ground. If ...

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) -I just identified a mess of problems for a local gardener. Root-Knot nematodes and fungal diseases galore. How does a gardener fix those problems before next spring? It can be ...

The first step in solarization (before laying down a plastic tarp) is to clean out all rocks, weeds and debris from the area and then level the soil as best as possible. Air pockets under the plastic ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Soil solarization uses clear plastic sheeting and sunlight to heat soil, killing pests, weed seeds, and pathogens. It works best ...

Triangular raised planter beds seen at Nancy Mack and Bill Geissert’s home garden. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA Fresno Bee file Last week’s column was meant to encourage home gardeners to try soil solarization as ...

To avoid using chemicals to control weeds and pests in gardens, lawns and fields, many hobby gardeners and large farms turn to the sun as a natural way to kill unwanted growth or visitors. The process ...