Plastic ground cover mulches in high tunnel settings, 2015
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
2 likes•910 views
by Jerry Untiedt, Untiedt's Vegetable Farm, Inc. Presented at the 2015 Minnesota Statewide High Tunnel Conference.
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (9)
Viewers also liked
Similar to Plastic ground cover mulches in high tunnel settings, 2015
Similar to Plastic ground cover mulches in high tunnel settings, 2015 (20)
More from University of Minnesota-Horticulture
More from University of Minnesota-Horticulture (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Plastic ground cover mulches in high tunnel settings, 2015
- 1. Plastic Ground Cover Mulches in High Tunnel Settings Jerry Untiedt Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, Inc. Waverly, MN jerry@untiedtswegrowforyou.com
- 2. Plasticulture: “The Future of Farming” How can you get 2-3x more crop per acre using half as much water as conventional farming methods? NRCS Data Sheet • If the government says it, it must be true • Short history of plastic mulches • Growth pattern of the practice • Where in the world the growth has occurred Plasticulture-That’s How!
- 8. Why to consider plastic mulches? • $$- Earlier production • $$- Reduction or elimination of weeding • Cleaner Fruit- no soil to fruit contact • More efficient water and fertilizer usages • More effective soil wetting on lighter soils • Control of many soil born disease pathogens • Reduction of soil erosion- water and wind • Possible double and triple cropping
- 9. Polyethylene Mulches: Considerations • Costs • Embossed vs. non- embossed • Roll Sizes • Thicknesses of mulches
- 10. Personalities of Various Plastic Films • Clear Embossed Film – First to arrive on the production scene – Warmest of all mulches – Poor weed barrier – Least expensive – Will present some evaporation • Black Embossed Film – Second to arrive in the industry – Relatively low cost – Excellent in blocking weed growth – Slows evaporation substantially – Does warm soil
- 11. Personalities of Various Plastic Films • Red Embossed Film – Warms faster than black – Some trials indicate yield increases in tomatoes and peppers – Perhaps glossier fruit? – Cost is about 50% over black
- 12. Personalities of Various Plastic Films • White on Black – Maintains a cooler soil for cool soil loving crops (lettuces and strawberries) – Excellent reflectivity – Excellent weed barrier – Cost is higher, 30-40% over standard black.
- 13. White on Black
- 14. Personalities of Various Plastic Films • Green Embossed Film – Heats soils faster than black and red – Good weed barrier – Said to maintain more heat at night (lower radiation) – Best used on early crops to avoid scalding
- 15. Photo Degradable Embossed Films • Black and clear available • Variable degradation time frames • Subsoil film must be brought to surface to degrade • No mfg. guarantees breakdown periods
- 16. Biodegradable Films • Mostly available in black • Leaves no residues or toxicities • Substantial labor savings as no lifting and retrieval • No recycling or landfill dilemma • Newer brand, “Bio 360” is both biodegradable and compostable • Bio 360 approved by USDA National Organic Program • Must be tilled into soils to biodegrade
- 17. Groundcover Thoughts • Not a polyethylene film, but necessary in tunnel settings. – Dust preventer – Weed barrier – In case of SWD, allows floor to be cleaned – Costs about $.05/ft
- 18. Final Thoughts • Recycling vs. Landfills • Growing is generally more enjoyable than selling- BE CAREFUL!
- 20. QUESTIONS?