Ditto here on using a breathable material like mesh. I've even enjoyed using the rolls of "paper mulch" a number of years ago; thick paper on a roll you can roll out and lay down in your row, insert plants and you're good to go for the season. As the season progresses the paper breaks down and can be easily incorporated into the soil.
Using the plastic was a pain to me. If you do you'll need to put a soaker hose underneath it for water, and use it. Plastic keeps the rainfall off your rows so better get used to using your well water (or city water---$$). And at the end of the season you have a mess on your hands cleaning up plastic. Ugh.
Lots of bigger farms here use plastic though for strawberries but they have a layer that goes behind their tractor and puts it down and shovels dirt over the edges, tying it down. End of season lots of farm hands to deal with pulling it up. It is usually so torn up in the process it is used only once...hello landfill, hello bank account for buying more next year. Not for me. (And don't even think about spending the extra money for the "Improved Red plastic", not worth the extra expense.)
Shoe
Kathy, your website looks better and better. You've really done a great job building it. I'm impressed!
