planting through cardboard (as top layer)

[bikermike]

I'm sure has been done, but my latest idea is to plant pumpkins etc through a layer of cardboard on the top of the bed. This is usually done with weed control fabric, but I don't want to put plastic down.

no so much for weed suppression (although it may be a quicker way of starting in beds with green manure), as slug suppression - if there is no cover for them, they should get eaten by birds etc more easily. And (organic) slug pellets shouldn't be absorbed into the soil before they break down.

[bario1]

You might find the cardboard is actually exactly what the slugs are looking for, somewhere snug to hide under until the sun goes down....

[Scarlet]

I do it, I often top the card in the summer with my grass clippings and weeds etc. Though I prefer newspaper to card as I have found that rats use the card to make rat runs underneath.
I also do the same in my greenhouse -
I'm on a meter and it reduces the need for watering in the greenhouse.
I couldn't keep up with the weeding if I didn't do this.

Around my fruit bushes I lay lots of thick newspapers and top with wood chips from my local tree surgeon. Anything to stop weeds works for me.



I wet the newspaper as it goes down so it doesn't blow away! Then top
It with anything throughout the growing season.

[Ms-T]

I did this last year and it worked well.i used newspaper and cardboard, i think the newspaper was better.

[1Bee]

I often plant through cardboard (although I might try newspaper now...). But I hate to tell you that slugs love cardboard, it's nice and dark and damp and they can crawl along under it until they reach something tasty.

Great for weed suppression, not so much for slug suppression.

[Snadger]

Cardboard and ashes go on plot and newspaper is used to light woodburner.

[4Shoes]

I'd tend to agree, but then again, not had much problem with slugs and courgettes or pumpkins once big enough to plant outside. Think they are homing in of more tender crops by that time