Soil solarization - Ask Extension
Our raspberry bed had some kind of virus that negatively impacted the plants and fruit. (CSU informed us of a virus after we sent plant samples but ne...
Knowledgebase
Soil solarization #876205
Asked July 07, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT
Our raspberry bed had some kind of virus that negatively impacted the plants and fruit. (CSU informed us of a virus after we sent plant samples but never provided details.) We pulled all the raspberries out last summer and planted peas this spring. I'd like to now solarize the soil but I'm worried that it might harm or even kill two grape vines that are just two feet away from where the edge of the plastic would be. Am I right that this would be a risk?
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for contacting CSU Extension with your solarization question.
I wasn't able to find any data that supports whether the roots of the grapevine plants would be negatively affected by the plastic used in the process.
Surmising from that, it doesn't appear that the root system of the vines spreads close to the surface (more depth than length). Also, the solarization process is a fairly quick process and the area, assuming 24 inches from the vines, won't be covered for more than about two-four weeks, you'll probably be fine.
If you're still not sure, you can move the edge of the plastic a little further out than 24 inches; you'll just need to remove the turf that's not covered using another process.
Regards,
CSU Extension Master Gardener
Boulder County
Thank you for contacting CSU Extension with your solarization question.
I wasn't able to find any data that supports whether the roots of the grapevine plants would be negatively affected by the plastic used in the process.
Surmising from that, it doesn't appear that the root system of the vines spreads close to the surface (more depth than length). Also, the solarization process is a fairly quick process and the area, assuming 24 inches from the vines, won't be covered for more than about two-four weeks, you'll probably be fine.
If you're still not sure, you can move the edge of the plastic a little further out than 24 inches; you'll just need to remove the turf that's not covered using another process.
Regards,
CSU Extension Master Gardener
Boulder County
Thank you. The information about the depth of the roots makes sense since I don't remember ever forking up any unexpected roots when I've worked the soil in the area I want to solarize.
