Making reflective mulch "permeable"

[aclum]

Hi,

There was some discussion on the grafting thread about using reflective mulch for insect control (around post #546 or so and a bit more recently), and as it was getting pretty off topic, I though I'd add a bit more on the subject here on a new thread.

I came across alot of interesting info from searching the web and from this thread in the diseases and pests forum discussing the reflective mulch a bit:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...e+mulch&page=2

I think, also, that in the process of trying to talk Naysen into using the reflective mulch to no avail, alas (in the grafting thread), I managed to talk myself into using it LOL!

The only thing holding me back was that I wanted a permeable mulch and couldn't find one on the web. Then reading on the web, I saw someone mention using a blow torch to make the planting holes in reflective mulch when it was already laid down in the field, and a lightbulb went off in my head. Why not use a soldering iron to burn little holes into regular reflective mulch?

I got the mulch material from Johnny's and tested a bit with the fine tip soldering iron to make sure it wouldn't burst into flames (it didn't). I cut the appropriate size for my beds from the roll, and folded each piece several times, so I had maybe 8-16 layers. Then I just used the soldering iron and poked little holes all over. Unfolded things, and Voila! permeable reflective silver mulch.

I hope it works as intended - to keep the soil cool and thwart some bad insects while encouraging good insects - while allowing the soil and creatures below to "breathe" and water, etc. to seep through. With all the holes, I don't expect it to be a weed block sort of mulch, but it should help a bit.

Maybe this is "old hat" to some, but it's new to me and thought it might be new to others who might be interested.

Anne

[JamesL]

Anne, I love your creativity!

[z_willus_d]

Keep us posted on the results Anne. Who knows, maybe you''ll persuade me after all.

[zeroma]

I have a ? about reflective surfaces. I'd like to heat up things around eggplants, since they love the heat. What would you for this plant?

[Tracydr]

For the eggplants, have you tried putting gallons of water around them? The water mass can add heat.

[zeroma]

No, I haven't. I'll think abut that idea. Have you tried it and does it work>

[bughunter99]

If it whacks out the pest insects, might it also cause issues for the beneficial predators and pollinators?

[aclum]

Thanks James.... and I love your success at glue grafting

Zeroma, I'm really haven't looked into using the mulch with eggplant so I did a brief web search. I found one site (sfgate.com, as I recall - don't have the link right now) that said that it was not recommended for eggplant. Maybe it keeps the soil too cool??? Not sure - would have to do more searching on the subject.

Stacy,

Check out the last sentence in this link:

http://vegetables.tennessee.edu/Toma...ato2000.8.html

Seems that the reflective mulch does encourage the beneficial insects (or at least doesn't scare them off).

Naysen,

You had some good reasons not to use the silver mulch.... many of which I share! It is rather a pain to apply it once all the plants are in place - but doable. And there's the paradox of using reflective mulch along with shade cloth. As well as being stunningly creative, I am quite good at rationalizing and I've come up with this...... I'm using the shadecloth to keep the tomatoes cool and prevent sunscald. But tomatoes like sun, so the silver mulch reflects what sun comes through the shadecloth back up to the plants to make up for some of the "missing sun" caused by the shadecloth in the first place. But it's not so bright as to cause sunscald and it further cools the soil. As you may recall from some of the photos I've posted of the garden, the shadecloths don't cover the tomatoes all of the time (as the sun moves across the sky) so there are periods of more intense sun and glare to repel the insects. That's my story and I'm sticking to it (for the moment).

One other thing is the fact that the extensive foliage of a grown, unpruned plant, can shade the reflective mulch enough to render it ineffective. In my case, I'm training to a single or double vine and pruning extensively so the mulch isn't shaded so much and is still pretty bright under the shadecloth and plants.

BTW, while I was out in the garden this morning I noticed that the resident ants under the artichokes were TOTALLY confused by the silver mulch. They were just sort of running around like bumper cars not knowing where to go.

I still have to put up my yellow sticky cards and spray a couple of plants with bugs with neem oil. Naysen, how are you doing with your thrips/mite problems? Maybe you could post to the grafting thread or start a new thread in the diseases and pests forum. Hoping you've gotten rid of most of them!

Anne