Backyard Farming Forum
Bringing food production home

I am not sure if I am putting this post in the correct place or not. If not correct here will a mod please move it to the right place.

Today I visited an organic farm in central Thailand and the farmer covers each bed with some sort of plastic looking material with plant holes cut for proper spacing. I have seen this same system in the USA but never paid any attention to it. I alwys thought it was for just warming the soil in cold areas. He said that this also helped conserve water and hold of bugs and worms. Has anyone used this system? Can someone explain it to me and tell me what the cover he uses is called? Thank you, johnra

I don't know what it is called, but it is also used by commercial growers here in Australia as well. There are biodegradable plastics that last a season

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contentment

I don't know if its the same stuff but google 'weed gunnel'. This is a breathable fabric used by organic farmers to control weeds. I'm sure there are other similar products out there too

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Ben

Bender's Backyard
Bender's Aquaponics System

Jaymie and Bender, Thank You. The item is called Weed Gunnel or Weed Mat. I found it on goggle. Yesterday I visited part of Adams Organic Farm located in Pak Thong Chai, Thailand. My new friend has a small farm that works in connection with Adams. He is from a Hmong Hill Tribe and does not speak Thai that well. My wife can understand him but I have a hard time. I am still trying to learn this language.Johnra

The weather was real wet yesterday but my wife did manageto get some photos. These there show the covers I was talking about. Johnra

Strawberry farmers in Bundy use it to warm the soil, stop the weeds and keep the fruit clean

I used to grow potatoes like that back in the UK many years ago.
Had to use slug pellets or grapefruit halves underneath but harvesting was a breeze.
Lift the plastic and the spuds just lay on the surface nice and clean.