I use black plastic as a weed barrier (and mulch) with good success. Of course, I don't live in NC and things there could have different results from the same thing in another climate. Still, it can get pretty warm and humid here during the summer, and the plants are in the strong, full sun.

I just make sure to cut a good-sized hole and make sure the plants aren't touching the plastic when they are first put in the ground. Once the plants grow and get more leaves, they shade the ground around them, thus preventing the plastic from getting too hot. I've never had any plants wilt and die from the plastic. It doesn't seem that the plastic could raise soil temps that much (and that far down) to impact the plants, but that's just a guess.

There are certainly a number of diseases that can cause wilting, and those are often more prevalent in the South (or at least it seems that way). But lacking any disease that would cause wilt, you have to wonder about too much or too little water, or perhaps herbicide damage.

How did the roots look on the plants that you pulled? Did the roots look long and healthy? Did the soil seem to be waterlogged, as in standing water or even just wet muck?

If plants are wilting and turning yellow, you could consider either fusarium or verticillium, especially if they don't perk up and rebound from possible environmental stresses. There is a virus or two that could do that too, but it's impossible to tell based on a description.

A few pictures could help if you have some. One close up, one "full body" shot would help. More if you have them. :-)

Probably someone else from your neck of the woods might have more to offer, as they would be more in tune with your local growing conditions and any diseases that are common. Just trying to bounce some ideas around for now and get things started.

Anyhow, I'm sorry that you are having these issues. We put so much time and effort and planning into gardening that it's disheartening when something happens to the plants.

Can't say if it did or not but it is entirely possible.

In our zones soil temps under black plastic even if it is landscape plastic with all the vent holes can reach 120-150 degrees once the summer heat comes. And it doesn't drop off much.

That is why, when it is used, monitoring the soil temps and covering it with a thick layer of some type of mulch (I use hay) is recommended to control soil temps.

Dave

"In our zones soil temps under black plastic even if it is landscape plastic with all the vent holes can reach 120-150 degrees once the summer heat comes. And it doesn't drop off much. "

Hey Dave, this is good to know, as some of us cold zoners plan on moving south for retirement, and it's best to learn this stuff beforehand.

Good idea about using hay on top of the black plastic. Up here it's not so important, although it could reduce the risk of frying leaves of baby plants that might come into contact with the black plastic.

I'm with Dave, I use the black plastic under my tomatoes and peppers primarily for weed control and to heat the soil early in the spring. After the plants take off when the soil heats up I use straw over the plastic. Some of my tomatoes are not staked and the straw gives them a dry bed to lay on. Luke