To Refurbish Old Weedy Garden -cereal Rye?

Question

Live near Phoenix zone 9 – backyard garden, filled with dead weeds for years, should I plant cereal rye to regenerate for spring garden or cover with cardboard + soil/compost? Thank you.

Answer 1

The best thing will be to solarize it, first. Once this has been done for at least a month, then you can plant Rye. The cardboard will be unnecessary, and can cause more problems than it solves.

Here is an article to help you solarize your soil:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm