black plastic

[LizyDrippin]

Hi all,

In many different threads "black plastic" is always mentioned to cover beds to warm them and to kill off weeds.

What sort of plastic is it and where can I buy it?

I have some black fabric left over from when I did my mum's drive (the stuff that went under the stones) would that work?

I've just spent the afternoon cutting down the winter green manure and want to put some on to kill off anything I missed and to warm the beds up

Any info would be great

Liz

[SarzWix]

It's probably the same stuff, it has all sorts of names - Mypex, weed membrane, weed fabric, black plastic.... The stuff you have should do the job fine

[selfraising]

I sometimes use cut open compost bags as they are black inside. Don't know if thats okay but it seems to work for me

[dexterdoglancashire]

I bought a roll of thick black plastic from B&Q a couple of years ago. It was well worth the cost - I'm still using it for various jobs even now.

[Hilary B]

Cut open black binbags are a possibility. The stuff you use under stones on the drive isn't ideal because it lets the rain through, and keeping rain out is part of the idea. The reason for using BLACK plastic is that black absorbs solar heat (when there is any, however little).

[SarzWix]

It depends what you're covering the ground up for I suppose. If it's in areas that will be beds, I prefer to let the rain and air through - I am on clay, so if it gets too dry it's murder to dig afterwards