Heavy Duty Membranes

[Fat Bob]

We have half a plot which for a few reasons we are probably going to leave alone for six months. We have never really got started on it as we were doing the home garden first.

So rather than let it go to jungle, we've weeded it but now need to cover it.

So a couple of questions are;

Would you manure it first before covering it?

Where are the best places for breathable membrane?
I've mooched on eBay but it all seems to be large commercial shops now with set prices rather than auctions. I wanted a heavy gauge one as I've seen cheap ones ripped to shreds in a few days.

Thanks for any info.

[Lovage]

What you need is the 100g /m2 woven membrane - variously sold as Mypex, Phormisol or even Terram ( although that used to be the non-woven stuff )
Some builders merchants stock it for use under drives etc or you could try a horticultural supplier. If you don't know a local one try LBS in Colne Lancs

[Two_Sheds]

I've covered my unworked patches with wet newspaper/cardboard mulch. It works really well at suppressing weeds (weigh it down with a bit of soil) and it enriches the soil, unlike plastic.
I get the cardboard from local shops, on my bike. A little at a time, it soon adds up.

[phil the shed]

i covered mine with sh@t and then damp proof membrane/plastic from B & Q 4mtrx25mtr for about £27 at the time its already lasted 3 winters

[SarzWix]

Yes, I'd cover it with muck first, or cardboard first, punctured with a fork, then muck.

LBS sell lots of types by the metre so you can buy just what you need, and I think Harrod Horticultural do as well.
Garden Warehouse: Ground Cover and Membranes - mulch, weed control, phormisol

[dexterdoglancashire]

i covered mine with sh@t and then damp proof membrane/plastic from B & Q 4mtrx25mtr for about £27 at the time its already lasted 3 winters

Yep, I'm still using the plastic I've got left from B&Q 3 years ago (the stuff I haven't given away!) Still working well.

[Fat Bob]

Some food for thought thanks.

I like the cardboard idea - if I can secure it without it blowing everywhere.

[Two_Sheds]

I like the cardboard idea - if I can secure it without it blowing everywhere.

Soak it in a bucket like papier mache ... then it forms a mat, like papier mache. Weigh it down with a bit of soil, and it'll be fine.
I do it all the time (newspapers, whole and soaked, are good too)