Soil solarization is a nonchemical method for controlling weed seeds, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. As a nonchemical control method, it fulfills many gardeners' wishes for organic or low-toxicity control. It is a potential alternative to chemical fumigation. Soil solarization is usually only considered as a remedy for challenging problems in the home garden because the treated area will be out of production for nearly two months during the summer growing season.

The basic procedure is to cover the soil with clear plastic and trap the sun's heat to raise soil temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds and harmful plant disease organisms. Solarization can be applied in many areas of the home landscape, but no plant material can be present in the area to be solarized. The extremely high soil temperatures will kill any plants left in the solarized area, and plant remains will interfere with even heating.

Solarization works best when soil is moist, so apply water before putting down the plastic.