Tarping in the Northeast: A Guide for Small Farms

This is a practical guide to understanding how tarps work and how they can be applied in different applications on the farm. It summarizes results from research trials and highlights farmer experiences across multiple states in the Northeast region. It combines the details of tarp logistics and management alongside the science of the practice to support farmers interested in learning more about tarping and how to implement it to improve soil and weed management on their farm. This guide is a product of the Northeastern IPM Working Group on Tarping and Soil Solarization, a project led by the University of Maine that brought together institutions, educators, and farmers across the Northeast region. It was published through University of Maine Cooperative Extension and can be accessed online and in print.