BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 15, 2022
Weeding is one of the most annoying parts of gardening, but it is necessary if you want a productive harvest. Home gardeners and professionals alike are always looking for new solutions for weeding woes, from mixing it up with mulches to taking a flamethrower to the pesky plants. Sonja Birthisel, postdoctoral research Associate at the University of Maine, has conducted research on weeding strategies that involve covering plots before planting with reusable plastic tarps for about a week. The technique, aptly known as “tarping,” is gaining popularity in the gardening world, especially for small farms looking to control weeds effectively and efficiently.