[UC Weed Science 20 Oct 2014 by Clyde L Elmore] Abstract: Four basics are needed for successful soil solarisation: 1) a smooth, flat area preferably that has been cultivated; 2) a moist but not saturated soil; 3) 2 to 6 mil clear plastic covering the soil tightly; 4) and 4 to 6 weeks of clear (non-shade area) warm or hot weather. Though solarisation can give excellent weed control, it can also be less than outstanding under some circumstances. Let's say you want to plant a fall garden. You can plant vegetables on flat soil, but what happens if we plant on beds? Is there something you can do to make solarisation more effective? People are using soil solarisation for turf grass and weed control prior to replanting to a more drought tolerant landscape. Can this be effective? I have seen some locations where results could have been more dramatic, if our instructions were followed more closely. Most of the pertinent information for successful solarisation can be obtained from UC IPM Online: Soil Solarization for Gardens and Landscapes or the publication Soil Solarization: A Nonpesticidal Method for Controlling Disease, Nematodes and Weeds. It is most critical for increased effectiveness that ‘heating' is started right after laying the plastic. If you start solarisation with a few days of cool, foggy or cloudy weather, you find weeds germinating and thus reduce control. If solarisation is to be used around the landscape for turf grass control or for the control of all plants in the lawn area (see photo), the grass should be mowed as short as possible or preferably rototilled and the surface smoothed. ${imageDescription} Comment