question about using black plastic in garden

[grsthegreat]

My wife wants me to add black plastic after i have rototilled and set my planting beds. Then slit a hole and plant corn, potatoes, whatever.

She heard that this will increase soil temps and help control weeds. I live in North Idaho and i can see the benefit of heating the soil. But my question is....will the soil get too hot come summer and kill everything... Or would i have to remove the plastic later in the season??

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Rfisher7381]

I usually put the black plastic down after tilling and leave it for a few weeks. Then remove it and plant the seeds. This seems to help warm up the soil and is a lot easier to manage. I roll it up and reuse year after year.

 

[bp fick]

Yes, black plastic can get too hot in the summer. Normally, it doesn't work well with something such as sweet corn. There are advantages of using it, but there are also some things to watch out for. Here's a good, short review from Mississippi State University.
Mulching in the Vegetable Garden