With winter approaching here in S. Calif. my biggest fear is the cold and wet ground. I've had bananas plants die in the spring, after surviving the winter covered with frost cloth and blankets (on the coldest nights). But sometime in spring they go, start leaning over and then poof!!

I'm going to try black plastic on the ground around the banana plants. I've used it before in rainy weather to keep the soil dry, but I'm wondering how well it would serve to warm up the soil around the plant in the winter and spring. Is anyone trying this and how well does it work?