Weed suppressant - will this work?

[stevemac]

Hi

I have a couple of white shower curtains and wondered if they would work to suppress the weeds if i held them down with bricks for a few weeks?
They are cheap ones so are slightly see through.
Will this work or will it just encourage more weed growth?

Thanks
Steve

[newbieveggie]

Hmm I always thought that you had to exclude all light to make for a good weed suppressant. For short term I have some black mypex stuff that I use but for long term I use old carpet and lots of woodchip. It works a real treat and I get the carpet for free by asking nicely at carpet shops/suppliers.
I suppose you could cut up some black refuse sacks and put them underneath but then the soil wouldnt be able to breathe and perhaps you would get other probs. If it was for a short time I would try it.

[Birdie Wife]

I agree, if there is any light getting through then the weeds will strain to get to it. Plus the plastic will be non-porous and probably encourage slugs and snails.

If you have a greenhouse or coldframe and you have really sunny days you could maybe use them to shade tender plants from the scorch? Just an idea - you might not need to do this so much, but Fife gets quite a bit of sun doens't it?

[burnie]

If they let the light through,you're making a green house effect which will warm the soil and encourage growth! a bit like fleece

[Beeker]

I heard somewhere that you could a few folded pages of wet newspaper. I think I saw it on tv. I haven't tried it, but I will if I have to. I get plenty of newspapers!

[stevemac]

Thanks guys,

Have put it down with wood/bricks so will see how it goes.
It is only for a few weeks afterall.

[allotmentlady]

rreally needs to be dark to supress weeds......i would use them to make some small polytunnels......

[sewer rat]

Because the white curtains will let through the light, the weeds will still grow, but what it will do is stop them seeding, so you will still get some advantage to using them.