How do you plant through black plastic?

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.

May 22, 2014	#28
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.