They also can be adapted for raised beds and for the laying of trickle irrigation tubes all in one operation. The reflective action helps in repelling the aphids that attack squash and spread mosaic virus. Thickness usually is 1.5 mils. A common practice is to use wide plastic and plant double rows with the plants staggered on the plastic. Line-source emission is used for row crops.
Water is applied down a narrow band adjacent to the crops.
A supply pipe or manifold runs perpendicular to the rows. Some manifolds are made of a flexible material that permits the passage of equipment over them. A feeder tube is then inserted into each hole of the manifold tube and the other end is connected to the line emitter. The trickle tube runs down the middle between the two rows. Whatever the planting arrangement, the trickle tube must be placed where it will not be punctured at the time of planting transplants through the mulch.