Black polythene or landscaping fabric?

[emarisa28]

I have just aquired a new large plot and am having to leave half of it this year. Should i cover it with black polythene or with heavy landscaping fabric? For me, the cons of polythene would be no rain getting through so would i end up with horrible dry soil. However it would be less likely to let sunlight through. The landscaping fabric would let rainwater through but also some light im sure therefore allowing some weeds to grow

What is the best for holding back weeds on unused soil? Thanks!

[roitelet]

Cardboard. Free and effective and then rots down into the soil. Chat up the local bike or white goods shop they will probably be able to let you have loads of big sheets.

[MarkPelican]

If I were to use either, I would use landscaping fabric, then you can use it to make paths between your beds later (black plastic would be slippy when wet).

[fishpond]

Either cardboard or 4" of manure or both--depends how big the plot is and how much you can afford.

[emarisa28]

Thanks, cardboard is perfect as there is a recycling bank close by. Plus manure delivered to the plot which i free
and to think i was going to spend money buying plastic!

[flynch]

Our allotment uses tarpaulin for disused plots. Only takes a watering to get the soil back and it is very effective.

[rary]

Cardboard topped with manure would be a good covering, but you would get some weeds over the year, cardboard and manure covered with weed fabric could save some work next season

[Snadger]

We bought black plastic for an unused plot. It ripped, it degraded with the sunlight, it held pools of water on it, the wind got under it and it was the biggest waste of money we ever made. Apart from that, it looked unsightly.