The Good and Bad of Soil Occultation in the Garden
Occultation is a technique where opaque sheets—such as tarps, black plastic, or specially designed opaque films—are placed over soil after harvest. The goal is to block sunlight and trap heat, killing crop residues, weeds, and some soil-borne pests and pathogens. This practice can accelerate soil cleanup and improve conditions for the next planting without the…