Using the Sun instead of pesticides.

Again this year we will use the power of the sun to reduce the need for pesticide and herbicides.

Many years ago, we began to use solarization as a method to reduce weed and pest in its organic crops (Rago is Italy’s largest organic babyleaf grower) and it was so successful that we have for the past few years closed all our fields for at least 3 months and allowed the sun to  sterilize the soil.  

In preparation for the process, the soil is turned to the depth of one meter with deep rakes mounted on tractors. The soil is then soaked and covered with heavy recyclable plastic sheeting. The tunnels sides are closed and left for 3 months.

The temperature inside the tunnel  averages   47° to 50° ( 116° F – 122 °F) destroying all weeds and pest and allowing us to be weed and pest free for most of the fall, winter and spring.

The trade off of losing 3 months of production is the reduction or elimination for the need for pesticides or herbicides which allows us to deliver healthier products.