How do you plant through black plastic? - Page 3

jflournoy · May 22, 2014

I just wanted to give an update on this.

On making the opening in the plastic, we ended up burning holes in the plastic with a hand-held propane torch. That was a great suggestion. Took about 5 seconds per hole. I carried the propane torch in one hand and a spray bottle of water in the other. When the hole got to the size I wanted it I sprayed it with water and it kind of "cauterized" the edges of the hole and hardened them. I will never cut my holes with scissors again!

On making the actual planting hole, we ended up using a 2.75" auger drill bit with a 28" shaft. Where has that thing been all my gardening life?! I had a beautiful planting hole in about 5 seconds. Made the process go so much quicker and easier. I drilled the hole, one of my kids poured a pint of water in the hole, then some more of my kids came along with the plants, mushed it down into the muddy soil, pushed dirt back around it and it was done. We did 422 plants total and it took us about 5 hours altogether. I'll post some pictures later.

Thanks for all the suggestions, very helpful.

bejustice · May 22, 2014

We use a planter. Before the planter we used a hand held antique tobacco planter. They are getting hard to find. Check Ebay.

Labradors2 · May 22, 2014

Because my twelve biggest tomatoes are growing in 2L waxed OJ cartons they are quite big. I didn't relish the thought of having to dig a big hole with a trowel, especially since there is clay beneath the aged manure, so I pre-dug the holes with a spade and my plan is to lay the black plastic over the site, locate the holes, cut an "X" in the plastic, then plop the plants in and back fill with aged manure.

We shall see how it works out!

Linda

RebelRidin · May 22, 2014

Not sure where to find one but this looks akin to an updated hand held transplaneter such as for Tobacco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwg-DtuXK-I

Apparently you get it here.....

http://www.standnplant.com/

May 22, 2014	#34
RebelRidin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Posts: 993	Not sure where to find one but this looks akin to an updated hand held transplaneter such as for Tobacco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwg-DtuXK-I Apparently you get it here..... http://www.standnplant.com/ __________________ George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787

May 22, 2014	#31
jflournoy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 118	I just wanted to give an update on this. On making the opening in the plastic, we ended up burning holes in the plastic with a hand-held propane torch. That was a great suggestion. Took about 5 seconds per hole. I carried the propane torch in one hand and a spray bottle of water in the other. When the hole got to the size I wanted it I sprayed it with water and it kind of "cauterized" the edges of the hole and hardened them. I will never cut my holes with scissors again! On making the actual planting hole, we ended up using a 2.75" auger drill bit with a 28" shaft. Where has that thing been all my gardening life?! I had a beautiful planting hole in about 5 seconds. Made the process go so much quicker and easier. I drilled the hole, one of my kids poured a pint of water in the hole, then some more of my kids came along with the plants, mushed it down into the muddy soil, pushed dirt back around it and it was done. We did 422 plants total and it took us about 5 hours altogether. I'll post some pictures later. Thanks for all the suggestions, very helpful.

May 22, 2014	#32
bejustice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Timberlake, nc Posts: 50	We use a planter. Before the planter we used a hand held antique tobacco planter. They are getting hard to find. Check Ebay.