We recently moved our 2400 square foot silage tarp from the location where we had it anchored all spring to a new location in the north corner of Patterson’s field. In doing so, we uncovered a large family of garter snakes who had been nesting under the tarp.
Silage tarps are used to eliminate weeds and create a stale seed bed. The weed seeds germinate due to the moist heat under the tarp, but then the seedlings die due to lack of light. The decaying matter feeds the earthworms, creating fertile weed-free soil to grow crops in.
We are fortunate to have an abundance of snakes in our field! They eat voles (which also like to hide under tarps) and thus provide a valuable service to our farming efforts.