warming the soil up ready for planting ?.

[Andiwiddow]

what is the best thing i can use to warm up soil outside ready for planting without spending money lol will tarpaulin work ?.

[marcofez]

I have used polythene in the past. Black is best!

[Andiwiddow]

ok thank you i will try that if i can get hold of any

[Lumpy]

Many garden centres sell black plastic sheet on a roll but depending on the size you want it can work out pricey.
Your post said you had a tarp? Try putting that down on the area you will want to sow first. It will add extra warmth to the soil.
Many people use cardboard (normally de constructed boxes) but I prefer not too as the last (and first) time I tried it they just ended up all mushy.
Anyhow give the tarp a try and you will be pleased at how quick the soil wil warm.

[Kristen]

Do folk use cloches to warm soil (as distinct from, then, protecting planted plants) these days?

I've got black weed suppressing membrane down to ... ermmm ... suppress the weeds over winter so I guess that will warm the soil sooner, but I haven;t got any cloches ... perhaps I should get some?

[arpoet]

I use cardboard covered in spent hops. I just make a hole in the cardbord when cabbage plants are ready and plant through it. The cardboard will slowly rot and the hops help keep the slugs away.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I wait until the soil has warmed up on its own - I've never really found it's worth the faff trying to steal a march on Mother Nature, and anything sown later in more suitable conditions soon catches up.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I use cardboard covered in spent hops. I just make a hole in the cardbord when cabbage plants are ready and plant through it. The cardboard will slowly rot and the hops help keep the slugs away.

Although that sounds like a good idea, assuming that you have access to hops.

[KevinM67]

I wait until the soil has warmed up on its own - I've never really found it's worth the faff trying to steal a march on Mother Nature, and anything sown later in more suitable conditions soon catches up.

Yep, I agree.

There's very few things I would directly sow in the ground before April here, and even stuff I grow indoors, I wait until threats of frost have passed.

I'm even going to try parsnips indoors this year in newspaper pots as they have been a disaster over the last few years.

[Thelma Sanders]

I have used polythene in the past. Black is best!

Once there have been a few days sun on the soil, I cover with either clear, or the green windowpane type plastic. As well as warming, this makes any weed seeds germinate so I can just gently hoe them off before planting or sowing

I found if I used the black stuff there was a rush of weed seed growth when uncovered, which competed with the veg seedlings

[arpoet]

Although that sounds like a good idea, assuming that you have access to hops.

Yes, i get them from a local brewery. In the winter they have far more than most gardeners want.
When i am driving past i chuck a few sacks full in the car. I keep an old shower curtain for that and picking up manure.

Have a look in your local phone book and find a micro brewery near to you. There are lots about.

[Kristen]

I found if I used the black stuff there was a rush of weed seed growth when uncovered, which competed with the veg seedlings

My black plastic covering is weed suppressing membrane, and I will be planting "through" that, so will avoid the weeds - hopefully!

I ought to buy a couple of soil thermometers and compare one in the bed covered by black membrane, and one in a bare-soil bed. I've never seen soil thermometers at a price that I wanted to afford though (I don't want something that is rubbish ... but maybe there are solutions that are reasonably priced? I'd be happy to do the experiment )

[sparrow100]

Yes, i get them from a local brewery. In the winter they have far more than most gardeners want.
When i am driving past i chuck a few sacks full in the car. I keep an old shower curtain for that and picking up manure.

Have a look in your local phone book and find a micro brewery near to you. There are lots about.

Genius! Thank you, turns out there is one just up the road in Twickers and I can get some today

[Dorothy rouse]

Reading this thread about 'hops,' and 'breweries' , I've just had a great idea!! Well it's not me who drinks the beer in this house!, wonder if other half would like to go visiting local breweries?

[Andiwiddow]

what are hops ?.