Step 5 – Maintain The Areaįrom my experience, it’s best to wet the entire area after you lay down mulch or rocks.
#WEED BARRIER FABRIC INSTALL#
This method is also perfect for creating a surface barrier when you install raised planter beds since it allows you to quickly fill the bed without the need to remove any weeds or grass underneath. In some areas, many people choose to lay down two or more layers of cardboard and then top it with more soil and plants. You can also layer soil and new plants over the cardboard. A thin layer quickly moves after a rainstorm or in heavy winds, exposing the cardboard underneath, which can look shabby. Wood mulch requires about four inches to weigh down the cardboard. Gravel or rocks will hold the cardboard in place, even during high winds, as long as you secure the edges down. You can layer on wood mulch or gravel to keep the cardboard in place. Using stakes is a great way to kill off areas of grass with cardboard, then be able to remove them when you’re ready to repurpose the space. You can use a hammer to pound in garden staples or stakes to keep the cardboard exactly where you want it.
If you want a longer-lasting weed barrier, go over the entire area with a second layer of cardboard. Use a utility knife to cut openings around the stems or trunks of plants and trees, making sure you leave around two to three inches of space around the base, so water and air can penetrate the soil. Make sure you overlap each piece by several inches to keep weeds from growing between cracks. Step 3 – Lay The Cardboardīegin on one end and start laying your cardboard over the surface of the soil. Use a utility knife to cut boxes along the seams into flat sections - cut pieces to fit the size of the area you are covering. Go over all the cardboard and remove all tape, staples, or strapping.Īvoid using boxes that have a lot of ink printing since these chemicals will eventually leach into the soil and pose a problem to your plants’ health. Measure out the area and select pieces of cardboard that will fully cover the space where you want to prevent weed growth. Trim down long weeds or grasses as short as possible and remove any rocks so that the cardboard will lay flat on the soil. Prune any plant branches or stems in the area you plan to use the cardboard and rake away any thick piles of leaves or debris.
#WEED BARRIER FABRIC HOW TO#
How To Use Cardboard As A Weed Barrierįollow these simple steps to stop bothersome weeds from growing in your planter beds or garden. If you aren’t using a cover material, it’s smart to pound in some ground stakes around the perimeter to stop the cardboard from blowing off. It’s easier to use a utility knife to cut cardboard to the size you need instead of trying to tear the material. Collect boxes during the year or ask your neighbors. Luckily, it’s easy to find enough cardboard to use for weed control. The supplies you need to use cardboard as a weed barrier are: The depth of the stones will prevent sunlight from reaching the soil even after the cardboard disintegrates, so weeds can’t grow. Boxes from appliances are ideal for this type of application. I suggest laying down at least two layers, if not three, of cardboard under four to six inches of rock or gravel. On the other hand, if you plan to spread a deep layer of stone, using cardboard is cost-effective. If you plan to spread out a standard three-inch layer of rock, it’s better to use a piece of landscaping fabric that won’t biodegrade and let weeds push up between the rocks. When it comes to long-term weed prevention under rocks, cardboard may or may not be the right solution. Lightweight mulch like coffee hulls or pine straw will not hold the cardboard in place in strong winds, so keep this in mind if this is your mulch material of choice. You can cover the soil entirely or just spot treat problem areas. Laying cardboard down before you mulch your planters is a fantastic way to deal with pesky areas of weeds or grass that ruin an otherwise clean look. I find the best way to use cardboard for weed control is to use material on top to keep it from blowing away, and mulch and rocks work great when you follow these tips. Once you understand the benefits and limitations of using cardboard as a weed barrier, you will learn the right places to incorporate the material into your landscaping.
0 kommentar(er)
