Weed control fabric use

[JMCKG]

I'm in the process of making raised beds on my allotment, each one 1.5M x 4m approx. My plan is too use weed control fabric on all the beds and plant through it, thus hopefully helping to keep,the weeds down. Is there any vegtables that this would not be a good idea for? My vegtables are the usual, carrots, onion, Brussels, kale, parsnips, lettuce, peas, etc.,etc.

[Kristen]

Not sure about Carrots - you could use some between the rows, allowing a generous? "slit" or "gap" for the carrots to grow in.

Also not sure about harvesting Parsnips grown through Mypex. I haven't tried that (will do next year). Only thought I have is to remove all tops, then Mypex, and then the parsnips will be clear for harvesting. With Leeks I am having to harvest at the end, and roll back the Mypex, so cannot pick Here & There to harvest (as I used to do). But having said that the Leeks are so much better than previous years that all the ones at the harvesting end are plenty good enough for the Kitchen

[Bren In Pots]

Planting through cardboard works just as well if not better, heres a few threads with some info :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lot_79845.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...-virgin-2.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ter_76409.html

[Kristen]

Planting through cardboard works just as well if not better

Main difference, for me, is that Mypex will last for years - so I can just move it to the next bed in the rotation come next year.

Also, I can lift it, apply a compost / manure mulch (after crop finished) and replace the Mypex for the Winter - cardboard would be a bit soggy for that trick!

I also don't have to source cardboard. I know that would be more environmentally friendly, but I have a plot in excess of 250 sq.m. - that's a lot of flat-screen-TV boxes!

[starloc]

I used weed control fabric in the summer for broccoli, squash and pumpkin, it worked ok, but water didnt go through that well, i used 4 inch holes for each plant, making a well for water to collect and soak in, most people using it comercialy add irrigation pipes underneath

This coming year I am trying the no dig gardening using a very heavy mulch, 8 inch or so of straw or un rotted leaves/weeds like in the book by Ruth Stout `no work garden book`
,it adds fertilliser, no need to dig, keeps ground wet, stops weeds so sounds good, for raised beds I am trying hugelkulture growing in a pile of sticks method, using the straw as a mulch to stop weeds

Anything is better than trying to keep the weed control fabric in place as the wind blows

[Kristen]

I used weed control fabric in the summer for broccoli, squash and pumpkin, it worked ok, but water didnt go through that well

Presumably you were using the woven type, rather than a "solid" sheet type?

I find that when it is new the water puddles on it, and runs off, but after it has weather a month or two then the "shine" wears off and the water permeates well.

[plotman]

So much effort put into building raised beds, sieving, filling, rotating, weed fabric, carboard, carpets, etc etc lol
Just a suggestion, How about a bit of gardening? Its very relaxing,fruitfull and really quite healthy exercise. Saves a fortune at the gym and generally a well proven method of cultivating ha ha

[bobbin]

Interesting subject this one. I use the woven heavy duty weed suppressent. But find it a nightmare for fraying! Ending up with stringy bits everywhere!! Didn't know it was called Mypex. In going to try to cover more earth with strips of plastic ( doesn't fray ) in between rows of plants where possible. I absolutely hate covering soil with anything artificial but I have truly awful problems with cats using the smallest bit of soil as a toilet. Dirty Devils. Yes I've tried absolutely everything to keep them off. Chilli powder seemed to work! I'd need to bulk buy though!
I found it worked well on some crops ie. Sweetcorn to plant the young plants and lay strips of plastic in between rather than plant through the actual membrane. Ooh I feel exhausted just writing this.

[Kristen]

I use the woven heavy duty weed suppressent. But find it a nightmare for fraying!

I have some, which i bought cheap, which has unfinished edges which has frayed, but the better quality stuff I have has properly sealed edges and doesn't fray. It frays a bit where I cut a planting hole (folk say to use something hot to melt & seal the opening), but I haven't found that is is significant.

Last year was the first year I used it to a significant extent. This year I'm going to grow all my veg through it as the areas where I used it last year saved a huge amount of work - both weeding and irrigating.

I'll then be able to report back on any problems I encounter