Soil covering to keep soil moist during summer…HELP!!!

[757Botanist]

Hey fellow growers! I’m back at it but this time doing a larger outdoor grow. The weather here in Tidewater Virginia has been mild but the hot months are quickly approaching. Here is my question…WHAT SHOULD I USE TO COVER MY SOIL TO PREVENT IT FROM DRYING OUT? I’ve read cardboard, hay, rocks…any suggestions?

 

[Galgrows]

So i reckon your going to go in the ground right? All those things will work but also attrack crawlers to hide under it. Those youtube fellas plant cover crop over the rows or sow it in the 200gal fabric pots to feed an cool.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

WHAT SHOULD I USE TO COVER MY SOIL TO PREVENT IT FROM DRYING OUT?

You're looking for a mulch. I have used straw because it can be tilled into the soil at the end of the growing season. It's organic and I prefer organic mulches.

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[Oldchucky]

Hey fellow growers! I’m back at it but this time doing a larger outdoor grow. The weather here in Tidewater Virginia has been mild but the hot months are quickly approaching. Here is my question…WHAT SHOULD I USE TO COVER MY SOIL TO PREVENT IT FROM DRYING OUT? I’ve read cardboard, hay, rocks…any suggestions?

In my opinion, it needs to dry out! It’s up to you to water it when it needs it! Good luck!

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

In my opinion, it needs to dry out! It’s up to you to water it when it needs it! Good luck!

Outdoor in the ground plants will find water as the roots spread out anyway. There's not really a specific need to mulch them or cover the base with straw unless its being grown in an area that is likely to be drought like dry all summer long.

 

[Jimmie]

I use organic straw, it’s to keep weeds down .like lovegrowingit says, it breaks down and goes back into the ground to feed everything. Grow a big ass bushy plant, plenty of shade. I’ve been a gardener for years. Never gave any Thought to keep roots cool.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

Never gave any Thought to keep roots cool.

I think heat can be a problem when using black pots that absorb heat.

Outdoor in the ground plants will find water as the roots spread out anyway.

It's affected by factors such as rain and irrigation, the porosity of the soil, and the perched water table.

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I think heat can be a problem when using black pots that absorb heat.


It's affected by factors such as rain and irrigation, the porosity of the soil, and the perched water table.

I should say it this way ... they had no trouble finding water in my back yard. I get what you're saying and I agree. I was speaking from experience in my own back yard.