BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 11, 2024
Tarping is an ultra-simple gardening technique in which gardens or bare patches of earth are covered with plastic sheeting to raise soil temperatures and alter moisture and light levels. Surprisingly, clear plastic sheeting is better at capturing solar energy and raising soil temperatures, while dark tarps are ideal for blocking out light. Prepare your garden space by cutting down tall plants, water the area deeply until the top 6 inches of earth are damp, lay down your plastic sheeting, leave it in place for four to six weeks, then remove the plastic from your garden. If any dead weeds remain, rake them away and start planting.