330 Q&A Bermudagrass Control? Black Plastic for the Garden?

In Episode 330, Q&A - Gail from Orangevale, CA wants to start a vegetable and flower garden in her backyard, which is currently covered in Bermuda grass. Debbie Flower,  America’s Favorite Retired College Horticulture professor, and I suggest waiting a year and using soil solarization to kill off the Bermudagrass. We also recommend starting small with container gardening and using organic mulch to keep the soil soft. We discuss the challenges of dealing with Bermudagrass and the benefits of soil solarization. For the next question, from David in Arizona, Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour touches on David’s question about the use of black plastic mulch on the soil (not usually recommended for home gardeners), and comments on David’s suggestion of using hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for early blight on tomatoes (Nope. Sorry, Dave)Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout.Pictured: Soil SolarizationLinks: Subscribe to the Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/ Dave Wilson Nursery https://www.davewilson.com/home-garden/Garden Basics Ep. 116  Growing Citrus in Containers Soil Solarization (From UC-ANR)Hori-Hori KnifeBermudagrass Control (From UC-ANR)Kurapia as a ground coverGot a garden question? • Leave an audio question without making a phone call via Speakpipe, at https://www.speakpipe.com/gardenbasics• Call or text us the question: 916-292-8964. • Fill out the contact box at GardenBasics.net• E-mail: [email protected] All About Farmer Fred: The GardenBasics.net websiteThe Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics https://gardenbasics.substack.comFarmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.comThe Farmer Fred Rant! Blog http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.comFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred" Instagram/Threads: farmerfredhoffman https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/Twitter/X: @farmerfredFarmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from possible links mentioned here.Thank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics  Newsletter.