3 Reasons to Solarize Your Garden (& How to Do It)

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Last year I switched from solarizing to using cover crops that kill RKNs, and I'm glad I switched! Here's a little series promo I did about that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4WnY2Bse9-afZo Also, just as a friendly reminder, I wanted to mention that liking, commenting, and sharing videos really do play a major role in helping content creators like myself reach a wider audience. Your engagement on KZbin can have a positive impact and contribute to the growth of the channel. But I totally get that everyone has their own preferences and comfort levels when it comes to social platform engagement. Let's grow together! 🌿

[@Tom-Stevenson]

Huge fan of your videos! A small minority of my gardening friends here in Austin still tell me that I should be using black plastic. After sending a link to your video, they mostly shut up...mostly. 🤣

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

@@Tom-Stevenson 😂 A couple of years ago I switched from solarizing to using cover crops that kill RKNs, and I'm glad I switched! Last June, when I pulled my tomato plants out, I didn't find any RKN knots, and that's what this other video covers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppKUiWqbZq5gfLc

[@judithgulko3558]

Wonderful, informative video!. With touches of humor. " Dirt is dead to me" lol

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Thanks, yes but you mean dirt. So glad someone pointed out that line... "Dirt is dead to me!" Also, "Dirty life-sucking parasites!" LOL! Glad you found my video entertaining as well as informative! As I was in the early scripting stage I was wondering how on Earth was I going to make a video about nematodes entertaining.

[@michaelfrierdich2228]

Both educational and informative! Great video!

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Thank you Michael! Glad you enjoyed the video! 💪🌿

[@itziahurtado]

thanks 😊

[@MariaPerez-ke8cx]

Love your soil shifter. Where did you get

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Hi Maria! I think you mean the compost strainer. I built that around 2014 and it's still holding up well! I have pegs on the base of the track that fit snugly into holes in that wheel barrow. I will feature the strainer when I get to doing a compost series.

[@MariaPerez-ke8cx]

I will definitely stay tuned. I am so elated to see you doing this.

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

@@MariaPerez-ke8cx I'm SO glad to see that you're enjoying my channel! And it's great to hear from you! I hope you and your family is well! XO

[@janakinallapareddy5912]

That shovel you used at 6:19 is really cool. Is there a special name for it? May I ask where you bought it?

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Sorry, I wish I could tell you, but it was gifted to me about 11 years ago, and the handle had broken off. But it was perfect for working the bed without the handle. BTW, I switched from solarizing to cover crops that kill RKNs, and it's much healthier for the soil. Here's my series about that. kzbin.info/aero/PL6ulEHf2FUdGlSwVvMGZgra3uOD4Jb9Jf

[@davidvick1078]

Hi great video! I want to solarize my garden because its over run with weeds. My question is can i leave the plastic on to long? I am will to sacrifice this year in order to start next year using woven fabic cloth for weed suppression

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Three months should be long enough. Better yet, you can improve the soil fertility while suppressing weeds this summer. I have a series on cover crops, and I'm working on a follow-up episode on it too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIK8Z5Z7fNqIbrM

[@AllGrowing]

Thanks for the video! Can I use a solid colour, heavy tarp for this, as I don't really want to buy more plastic.

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Studies have shown that clear plastic allows the heat from solar rays to penetrate deeper. So, no. But after I've solarized my beds every summer for nine years, what I've found to be more effective at improving the soil and managing the "bad guys" is growing over crops. I've made that switch two years ago, and I highly recommend that you consider this. I just completed a follow-up episode to my cover crop series: Cover Crops For Soil Health & Manage Nematodes: kzbin.info/aero/PL6ulEHf2FUdGlSwVvMGZgra3uOD4Jb9Jf

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Adding to what I just said, my next video will show how for the first time in my 14 years of gardening here, I've not found one nematode knot when I pulled my tomato plants up. I sent a soil sample to a Soil Food Web consultant, and excerpts of his assessment will be in this upcoming episode. 🌿

[@AllGrowing]

@@StacksUrbanHarvest Good, thanks, I prefer cover crops, will check it out!

[@marlenewebster7095]

Where did you get that shovel? I wanna buy one

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Sorry, I wish I could tell you, but it was gifted to me about 10 years ago, and the handle had broken off. But it was perfect for working the bed without the handle. BTW, I switched from solarizing to cover crops that kill RKNs last year. Here's a little series promo I did about that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4WnY2Bse9-afZo

[@gh_007]

This would mean a year of forfeited garden for ppl in the northern climates. We only have about 4 months or less of growing temps. I wonder if there are beneficial nematodes that can tackle the root knot nematodes. It’s more practical to be able to treat the soil with beneficial nematodes when the ground temps hit 50° or higher for us.

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

You could, but it can get expensive. I bought enough for one application, and I had better results with making compost tea. Instead, try using crab meal, and other things I recommend in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGKyiYuMf6Zjn9U

[@orangemoonglows2692]

what is that yellow shovel you're using called?

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

Sorry, I wish I could tell you, but it was gifted to me about 10 years ago, and the handle had broken off. But it was perfect for working the bed without the handle. BTW, I switched from solarizing to cover crops that kill RKNs last year. Here's a little series promo I did about that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4WnY2Bse9-afZo

[@Antreus]

Maybe wear undershirt

[@StacksUrbanHarvest]

😂