Ken-Bar's exclusive formalization, Solar Mulch is a "hybrid" that provides the best qualities of bothclear and black mulches. Solar Mulch offers the increased soil warming of clear mulch, along with the weed suppression of black mulch. By utilizing a carefully balanced blend of polyethylene with a specific light modifying pigment, Solar Mulch transmits nearinfra-red radiation to heat the soil while it simultaneously blocks PAR (photosynthetic active radiation that is responsible for thevigorous weed growth under clear mulch). Solar Mulch generates almost as much heat as clear mulch and suppressesweeds like black mulch. This is a win-win development for growers. Solar is great for heat loving crops like cantaloupe,watermelon, and other cucurbits. For maximum weed suppression, plastic should be laid soon after tilling the soil.