Anyone ever use tarps as garden mulch?

[HSmama24]

Has anyone ever used poly tarps for gardening? I want to make a piece of land behind our house into a large pumpkin/squash patch. I do not have a tiller or plow to break up the soil and in the past I used black plastic- but it doesn't last but one season. Thought I would use tarps instead. I bought (2) 40x60s and wondered if anyone has done this before.

[Sunflower]

Has anyone ever used poly tarps for gardening? I want to make a piece of land behind our house into a large pumpkin/squash patch. I do not have a tiller or plow to break up the soil and in the past I used black plastic- but it doesn't last but one season. Thought I would use tarps instead. I bought (2) 40x60s and wondered if anyone has done this before.

Never tried it, but I bet it would work.....Great idea! The only thing that might be tricky is getting enough water to the plants. Maybe just cutting bigger holes for the mounds? I think I am going to try this idea too! :-D

[Navajo]

Lots of heat build up I would think, might be a problem

[HSmama24]

I have used black plastic in past years and was able to grow a good crop of pumpkins. I plan to use the brown side of the tarp. I'm sure there is quite a bit of heat build up, but I live in Wisconsin- zone 4 and maybe my northern climate makes it possible for me.
Thanks for your comments.

[americancrusader]

i use pinestraw in my garden

[Indigo]

What is pinestraw?

I know someone who had the same issue and she grew her pumpkins and squash in straw bales. She put them on the side (so the string wasn't touching the ground), dug out some of the straw and crammed compost and soil inside. Then she planted some started plants. The grew just beautifully. She had rows back to back straw bales with foot paths between. They made great compost after the growning season was done and she used it to amend her poor soil.

Indigo