Tarpaulins, also called tarps, are heavy-duty sheets of waterproof material that are extremely useful covering and protecting garden areas. Common tarpaulin materials include polyethylene, polyester and vinyl. They are adaptable, lightweight and durable.
When Should You Use Tarpaulins in the Garden?
There are several key times when tarpaulins can give benefits in the garden:
Early Spring
As mentioned above, covering soil with a Clear Tarpaulin in early spring allows the dark material to soak up heat from the sun and warm up the soil more rapidly. This gives plant starts a head start and lengthens the growing season.
Heavy Rain or Wind
During storms, tarps can safeguard vulnerable seedlings, young plants and bare soil prone to erosion from heavy precipitation or strong blasts. This is important for new plantings and transplants.
Fallow Beds
In between growing seasons or plantings, laying a tarp over void garden beds prevents weeds from sprouting up. This makes future weeding and preparation a lot easier.
Fall and Winter
Perennials, root vegetables and other plants left in the ground over winter can be safeguarded from hard ice heaving, alternate freezing and thawing, and abundance dampness/snow development using tarp coverings over the beds.
How to Choose the Right Type of Tarpaulin
When selecting a tarpaulin for garden use, it’s important to pick the appropriate style based on the intended application and anticipated weather conditions:
Lightweight Tarpaulins
Thinner Tarpaulins weighing 3-6 oz work well for light obligations like weed prevention and dampness retention. They are more affordable yet won’t last as long when presented to UV rays.
Heavy Duty Tarpaulins
Heavier 10+ oz tarpaulins hold up better to wear and tear over various seasons. They are best for withstanding wind, precipitation and full sun/heat. More cut resistant.
Material
Polyethylene and polyester tarps are entirely durable and affordable. Vinyl options are thicker yet more costly. Consider material strength and UV resistance.
Proper Tarpaulin Installation and Maintenance
Correct installation and upkeep is vital to maximizing the benefits of tarpaulins in the garden.
Maintenance
Check tarps regularly for leaks, penetrates or damage from rodents/pets. Guarantee all seams and edges are still safely fastened down.
Preparation
Rake the soil smooth and even out to avoid penetrates. Eliminate any debris, shakes or tools from the area before laying out the tarp.
Laying out
Start by placing the tarp’s middle over the center of the bed and then work outward, smoothing out any wrinkles. Leave a couple inches of overhang on each side.
Securing edges
Use stakes or blocks to anchor the edge first. Steel landscape staples or U-pins work well. Place fasteners a couple of feet apart depending on tarp size.
Weatherproof tape
Reinforce cut prone corners and between stakes with durable pipe or vinyl tape to prolong the tarp’s life.
Debris removal
Rake or clear any fallen leaves or sticks that development underneath the tarp so they don’t decay and damage the tarp or soil quality over time.
Storage
Overlay tarps neatly and store in a dry place out of direct sun between uses to prevent premature wear and tearing. Rotating two tarps expands their lifespan.
Additional Tips for Effective Tarpaulin Use
Following a couple of best practices guarantees tarps satisfies their potential in safeguarding your garden:
Ventilation
When using tarps on hot days, make sure to lift up edges or sides momentarily to allow trapped heat to escape and prevent any overheating of soil underneath that could damage plant roots.
Watering
Tarps can magnify dry-out issues, so check soil dampness regularly under the tarp and water completely if necessary to avoid dry season weight on plants. Slow-soak hoses work well.
Leaves and debris
Rake and clear the tarp to eliminate fallen leaves, seeds and other organic matter that could advance decay or odor whenever left to disintegrate under the tarp.
Mulching
Consider laying a thin layer or organic mulch like straw under the tarp for insulation and to smother filters out physical barriers versus chemicals like herbicides.
Soil health
Periodically eliminate the tarp for half a month in warmer seasons to allow the soil to “breathe” and maintain microbe variety important for supplement cycling.
Alternative methods
Explore other eco-accommodating options like sheet mulching with cardboard and manure for longer-term, sans chemical weed suppression.
FAQs
Do tarpaulins harm soil health over time?
When used occasionally and soils are allowed to breathe periodically, tarps alone generally do not cause harm. However, extremely incessant long-term tarp usage could smother beneficial soil microbes and compaction may happen. It’s best to use tarps as part of a balanced integrated bug management approach.
How long can a tarpaulin be left on the garden?
As a guideline, something like 3-6 months at a time to avoid potential negative impacts. Yet, shorter intervals are better to allow soil an opportunity to breathe, depending on climate. Signs like impaired drainage or plant stunting indicate it’s time for the soil to rest without a tarp.
Will tarpaulins repel pests or just prevent their access?
While tarps act as a physical barrier blocking pests from reaching plants, they do not repel or control existing populations on their own. Eliminate any pests by hand before covering. Combining tarps with cultural or biological controls gives more complete nuisance management.
Conclusion
Tarps and tarpaulins can be incredibly useful tools for garden protection and weed prevention when installed and used properly. By covering soils, plants and garden beds during vulnerable periods like heavy weather, dormancy or between plantings, tarpaulins assist with retaining dampness, control weeds, give cover from damage and advance earlier development.
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