Using Occultation and Solarization to Kill Weeds and Grass – Leavenworth Pollinator Garden

Using Occultation and Solarization to Kill Weeds and Grass
It’s always desirable to get rid of unwanted weeds and grass without pesticides but doing so can be challenging. Two methods that can be used are occultation and solarization. In occultation or soil tarping, light is excluded from the treated area, typically using silage tarps or black plastic. In solarization, clear plastic is used so that the sun’s radiation can penetrate the treated area, killing the unwanted plants. In this session, we will discuss our results using occultation and solarization at the Pollinator Garden to remove a weedy patch of grass, as well as making a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each method.