Cook (Solarize) Away Weeds and Soil Pests and Diseases
Manage weeds, insects and diseases that have taken over your garden with the help of plastic, sunlight and summer’s heat.
Start by removing any healthy plants you want to keep. Pot them up, monitor and control any weeds, insects and diseases that have gone along for the ride.
Dig a trench around the garden. Then cultivate the soil at least 6 to 8 inches deep. Rake smooth and level removing any weeds, rocks and debris.
Moisten the soil to help transfer the solar heat deeper into the soil.
Cover the garden with a 1 to 4 mil thick clear plastic sheet. The clear plastic intensifies the sunlight raising the soil temperature and killing many soilbourne pests.
Tuck the edges of the plastic into the surrounding trench and anchor with stones or soil. Leave in place for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
A bit more information: You will be sacrificing much of this year’s growing season, but you will be rewarded with fewer pest problems in the future. Once the garden is replanted monitor and manage weeds and pest problems as soon as they appear.
Related
Article
Article
Article
Article
Article
Article
Article
Article
Article
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
Register (opens 4/16, 9am)
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 20, 2026
Herb Container Workshop
Pewaukee, WI
Register here
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
June 10, 2026
Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium
Brookfield, WI
More information
July 9, 2026
Ebert's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Ixonia, WI
August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
