Basically what are the pros and cons of plastic covering the ground in a effort to keep in warms, moister and produce a vegetable crops sooner in the ground,and bigger.Please don't say google people over there tend to get long winded, rabble on, and get off subject sometimes. Thank you in advance!!
I don't know. I've seen many farms in Australia use plastic on the ground along rows of crops. I think these are drip fed though. I haven't heard of plastic mulch.... it doesn't sound like something I'd want on my veges. When I lived in a more temperate climate (regular frosts in winter and slow starting springs), I'd put the seed in the ground and put the top maybe 1/4 of a plastic bottle over the top and twisted into the ground a bit. Seemed to work fairly well, then when it was warmer and the seedlings were bigger I just took them off. My brother put plastic on bits of his garden (in a more tropical climate) and everything just went manky. The soil got too hot, couldn't breathe properly and there was mould issues. The seedlings all died. You can always start the seedlings indoors - although I've never had much luck transplanting them.
It is used widely in farming and horticulture so I would say it probably works otherwise they wouldn't be bothered to do it.
Plastic sheeting might help until the temperatures rise enough, but I never use plastic mulch. Mulch is supposed to decompose and amend the soil, and plastic mulch doesn't do that.
Yes will help keep them warm and protect from frost.
Yes, it is a very good idea: Heats up the soil. Keeps moisture in, and saves water. Prevents bad weed from coming back. You can use inverted bottles to drip irrigate. If you are in an area that has fungus in the soil, reduces infection. Prevents crows from digging, and making a mess.
