That sounds interesting. I just found a website about it:

http://www.gardenguides.com/834-soil-solarization-weed-control-garden-pest-tip.html

It says to start in June in this article. I've never heard of it before, I'm sure useful. The closest I've ever came this is covering the ground in winter with a silver tarp to kill off weeds.

Here is a link that might be useful: soil solarization

It's probably not too late if you live in a hot sunny climate. Follow the steps provided above. It probably kills the good along with the bad. But the results seem worthwhile.

An area 8ft by 16 ft would be a good size to try it out and see what you think. I've done it a couple times and was pleased with the results.

I tried it once but would not do it again. The soil needs to be kept moist underneath the clear plastic. The depth and time that the soil would be "sterlized" is rather limited and as fruitnut says, "It kills good soil critters along with the bad. It also keeps that area tied up most of the summer..6 to 7 weeks. Also my thin plastic was breaking up [disentigrating] and about to become a big mess after 6 weeks.

Where growers fumigate they plan to plant right away before those nasty fungals regroup.

I might try this next year in March and plant in beds on top of it, cut around it at the end of maybe say September of next year. I've done nothing but destroy my garden area anyways. A good clean slate might be a good idea.