How do you use black plastic sheeting for gardening?

I did that in Alaska all the time. You stake black plastic over the mounds of soil that you have planted in so that heat is trapped, helping the plants to grow. Just cut a 1'; hole where each seed is planted. Infact, I would stake the plastic down over moist soil, cut the holes in the top and THEN plant my seeds. when you must water it, lift the edges and water the soil underneathe, or use a watering can (though this is more time consuming) and water each plant at the stem.How do you use black plastic sheeting for gardening?
There is actually black landscape fabric that is especially made for gardening. With most garden plants (small to medium stalks) slice the minimum amount in a line in the fabric and slip the plant through gently while they are still young. Some people stake the fabric down, use weights or ground cover. I would suggest against ground cover because it adds work later and can attract bugs. But a set of fabric stakes and do it the easy way.





Also, if you are doing a garden that is going to require a considerable amount of water (or is larger) a wonderful little tip is to run soaker hose under the landscape fabric around the plants. That way, all you have to do is run the hose for a few minutes and the plants are watered (they still will like an occasional shower now and then).How do you use black plastic sheeting for gardening?
Be careful if you have an ant problem - they love living under the stuff and thrive. We pulled our weed barrier out because we would rather deal with the weeds than the ants.
Many people buy this plastic as a weed barrier for landscaped beds. One of my friends who owns a local nursery and landscaping business told me weeds can still manage to come thru the black fibers. A much more effective (and economical) weed barrier that is also biodegradeable is to use layers of old newspapers instead. I've tried that in the beds where we've planted shrubbery and it's worked pretty well for a couple of years now. I've been told that you have to be very careful when using plastic as sometimes excess moisture can cause mold to develop which might be harmful to some of your plants and flowers.





Whichever you decide to use, leave an opening around your plant large enough to prevent damage and disease to the base of it.
I used it along my walk-way to keep the grass from growing up through the gravel I put down. Also as a base where I put rocks so nothing else grows up through the rocks.