What is occultation in farming?

Occultation or “weeding with tarps”, is considered an important weed management tool for biointensive no-till systems and is increasingly used in small-scale organic vegetable production. This practice typically involves irrigating a field or bed and laying down a thick, black plastic tarp for 2-8 weeks.

How long does it take to Solarize weeds?

4-6 weeks
The solarization process will take 4-6 weeks, possibly 8 weeks. Heating can occur as deep as 18 inches with soil temperatures reaching 90-98 degrees at that depth. The soil temps will be around 108-131 degrees at 2” deep, and temps can reach up to 140 degrees in the top 6 inches.

How long does it take for silage tarp to kill weeds?

The process typically takes around 2 to 3 weeks during hot summer months. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead.

What is Tarping in farming?

Tarping, or occultation, involves the use of durable black plastic, often sourced as silage covers, that is applied to the soil surface between crops and removed before planting. Tarps are reusable over multiple years and adaptable to different applications and planting times over the season.

What is meant by occultation?

Definition of occultation 1 : the state of being hidden from view or lost to notice. 2 : the interruption of the light from a celestial body or of the signals from a spacecraft by the intervention of a celestial body especially : an eclipse of a star or planet by the moon.

What is a silage tarp?

What Are Silage Tarps? Composed of UV-treated Polyethylene plastic, silage tarps can be used to cover the soil to reduce weed pressure and to help prepare the soil before planting. They are black on both sides and can be bought in any store that sells agricultural supplies or equipment.

Is solarization good for soil?

Solarization is primarily used as a broad-spectrum pest control technique, but it may also improve soil health by increasing the availability of nitrogen and other nutrients to growing plants and by beneficially altering the soil microbiome.

When should I Solarize my garden?

Solarization is most effective during the hot summer months when the soil receives the maximum amount of sunlight, as this will kill weed seeds and soil pathogens deep down in the soil.

Can you cut a silage tarp?

Yes. Just use scissors, or a knife or razor blade. It will not fray the edges or compromise the integrity. If cutting the silage tarp lengthwise, it’s most simple to roll out the tarp to said length and cut across while the tarp still has the factory fold.

How do you Solarize soil?

Soil Solarization

  1. Clear the area of plants and debris.
  2. Water the soil deeply until it is wet.
  3. Cover the area with clear plastic (such as 1 to 4 mil painter’s plastic).
  4. Bury the plastic edges in the soil to trap the heat.
  5. Leave the plastic in place for at least 4 weeks in the hottest part of the summer.

What is the difference between an eclipse and occultation?

Lunar eclipses work the same way in a different order: Moon, Earth and Sun all on a line. In this case the Earth’s shadow hides the Moon from view. An occultation occurs when a celestial object is eclipsed by the Moon or another solar system body.

What is occultation?

Okay so now that I have your attention I’ll be a little less flashy. Occultation is not really an art and its also not ancient. What the term means is: the state of being hidden from view or lost to notice. In astronomy it is a reference to one celestial body blocking from view another celestial body.

How do you use occultation in the garden?

To use occultation in the garden, simply mow an area where you plan to plant three weeks before planting in the summer—six in the cooler months—and pull tarps or material over top. Weigh the material down on all ends with logs, sandbags or dirt.

Does occultation break down plant matter?

Also consider that even though occultation will encourage earthworms and other organisms to consume plant matter, it will not rapidly break down large plant residue. Remove as much crop residue, such as large roots and stems, as possible before applying tarps.

How does occultation kill weeds?

How Occultation Kills Weeds When black tarps or opaque barriers are laid against the soil, warmth and moisture are trapped or encouraged underneath. As the soil warms, more weed seeds come out of their dormancy. When they germinate, they sprout into what is a dark, fairly suffocating environment, void of sunlight or air movement.