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Remove Landscape Plastic: Blocks Water and Oxygen

Black plastic prevents water/oxygen from reaching roots. Even permeable fabric demands yearly mulch removal to prevent weeds rooting through. Mulch (straw, chips) is lower maintenance.

About Gardening: Clear vs. Black Plastic Mulch for Vine Crops: Pros, Cons, and Best Practices; Greenhouse Fungus on Cucumbers, Peppers, Tomatoes: Sterilizing Soil; Landscape Materials Decoded: Mulch, Soil Amendments, Edging, and Smart Selection; Sculpture in the Landscape: Art That Engages Nature and Space; Soil Solarization: Using the Sun's Heat to Control Weeds and Pathogens; Adding Color to Sandy Soil Landscapes Near Savannah; Bermuda Aeration Timing: Landscaper vs. Lawn Company—Both Can Be Right; Soil Solarization: Why Clear Plastic Works and Black Doesn't; Solving Landscape Drainage Problems: Don't Ignore the Flow; Identifying and Repairing Sinkholes Caused by Buried Construction Debris

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Plants

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Landscape Gardening: Designing Beautiful, Functional Outdoor Spaces