ADVANCING THE SCIENCE AND ADOPTION OF TARPING TO REDUCE TILLAGE IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Tarping has recently emerged as a low-cost weed management practice for small farms (Fortier 2014). Tarps are black, impermeable, plastic sheeting (5-6 mil) laid on the soil surface for 3 or more weeks and removed before planting. Our previous research and the experience of pioneering farmers has shown that tarping can advance RT and NT management by holding planting beds weed-free, improving soil conditions for crop establishment, and reducing weeding labor for the following crop. However, research is still limited, and farmers need more decision-support tools to integrate tarping in crop rotations. Our project will help create recommendations for tarping as an RT and NT management strategy and increase adoption that benefits soils, saves labor, and leads to greater profitability. Our specific objectives are to:Evaluate tarping impacts on weeds and labor use with contrasting tillage practices (conventional, shallow, and no-till) prior to tarping to understand how to achieve tarping benefits with RT. Farmers will learn how tarping interacts with tillage intensity for different crops and planting times and strategies for using tarps to improve the agronomics and economics of RT. (Year 1, 2)Investigate tarping effects on the soil microclimate, nutrient cycling, and soil health and how these effects change when tarping is combined with organic mulches and compost. Farmers will learn how tarps perform when combined with additional soil management practices to add greater soil benefits and improve RT success. (Year 1, 2)Compare efficacy of different tarping materials, including impermeable black polyethylene (6 mil), and permeable woven fabrics for terminating winter hardy cover crops and their effects on weeds, soils, and crop yields. Farmers will learn how to use tarps to manage winter hardy cover crops with RT and the functionality of different materials as they try to address issues with tarp logistics and water management. (Year 2, 3).