Landscape Fabric Pros & Cons Finding an Alternative thru Sheet Mulching for Weed Control
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2016
- Should you use landscape fabric? What causes it to fail? Are there any alternatives to a synthetic weed barrier? What should be considered as a long term solution?
Landscape or weed fabrics create an impassible barrier that stops the upwards growth of plants from underneath. For this barrier to work properly though, an application of mulch is needed. As a short term solution for reclaiming a weedy bed, the fabric can help you out.
DISADVANTAGES OF LANDSCAPE FABRIC:
Synthetic weed barriers can accomplish a task, but they are no silver bullet. Wood based mulches are biodegradable, so they slowly break down, forming a layer of soil. That upper layer can be a perfect rooting medium for fresh weed seeds. Before long, you may start to see that your beds are just as weedy as they were before.
All the while the microbial processes that rejuvenate your soil are being hindered by this synthetic, barrier. Earthworms and various arthropods cannot freely pass from below the soil up to the surface.
Your perennial plants become girdled as they grow wider and wider. Clumping and rhizomatous plants get trapped underneath. And creeping or layering plants cannot properly root as they get entangled in the fabric.
A BIODEGRADABLE ALTERNATIVE:
A free, biodegradable alternative is simple old cardboard. This idea is a form of sheet mulching. In permaculture, sheet mulching can be done to reclaim an area of land that might have been weedy or even covered with grass.
Cardboard is applied. Then a layer of mulch. In creating a highly fertile site, a gardener may put several layers of materials. Leaves, compost, grass clippings, straw, etc. But in more conventional landscape applications, it would certainly work to just put a wood based mulch.
Weeds or grasses will be unable to pass up through the cardboard. With the inclusion of mulch you smother these unwanted plants, making way for new plantings. Over time, that cardboard is eaten by earthworms and won't interfere with biological processes.
LONG TERM STRATEGY:
Do you want to reduce mulching requirements? How can you keep out weeds? Nature abhors a vacuum. So your final landscape or garden should be designed in a way that fills those large empty spaces.
Plan out multiple layers of trees, bushes, shrubs and herbal plants. Allowing these to fill in your beds, choking out any weeds that make their way into your property. To cover large areas of ground, without relying on grass, consider using ground covers.
Complete Article:
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I really appreciate you taking a non-glyphosate approach. My daughter has leukemia, she was diagnosed at age 4. I don’t usually comment but I wanted to thank you for other options to this cancer-causing chemical!
Thanks for sharing that personal expression Tierney! I'm sorry to hear that she's battling that. But I'm glad to hear she has such a loving and caring Mom. I wish you and your family all the best! Certainly avoiding pesticide and herbicide exposure is a good strategy for ALL of us!!
Sending you love and prayer that your daughter makes a full recovery and leads a long healthy life
Love to you and your daughter from Pennsylvania. (USA) You ,your daughter ,and loved ones are going through alot.
I never heard of this.Cool
Awww, that's terrible! How is she doing? I get nervous of people using it, my in-laws have so much property to keep up, they won't do anything else on their fence lines. I guess it is what it is bit I'm not a fan of it.
I’m sorry, I have the sister blood cancer, multiple myeloma.
If you belong to Costco or Sams Club, you can get those large sheets of cardboard that they put between stacks of products FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!! I've been grabbing them for years for crafting, but now I'm going to use them in my yard!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
Costco! I never thought of that!
I have an area where the grass has started overtaking the flowerbed. Can I cover the area with cardboard and mulch and regain the flowerbed?
I get them all the time.
So who do you ask to get them? You go inside or just go straight to the dumpsters?
Whenever my boys are bad. I make them go out and pull up weeds. It’s a damn good way to burn up that extra energy.
Good for you for disciplining them! Just be sure to reward them with some tasty fruits from the garden when they're good! 🍓🍎🍅
🤣🤣🤣 what a great idea 💡
That’s what my dad did to us. I did the same, gave my son a market bag and set him out in the parkway.
Lol 😂 That’s a good one!! it’s also good
Workout.
Well, thats one excuse not to change and have to admit "thats just what my daddy did, and his daddy.."😅
I appreciate how your use of subtle verbage to instruct all while describing your reasoning intellectually.
Saying phrases like "consider this" vs. "do this"
It's a very calming effect contrary to being preached at
Thanks Alan! I appreciate your feedback. :)
true...I too liked his way of expression...
If you don't have enough cardboard for this, I've used the relatively inexpensive rolls of brown paper from the paint department at Lowes for this, and it works great. It's not as thick of a layer as cardboard, but it still works really well. It's also really easy to cut to whatever shape you need.
Best if you use multiple overlapping layers. Tough plants can get through a single layer!
Do you have to wet it first?
@@EyeWYT 🥺
Multiple layers of newspaper works too
@@papabear149 Where you going with this Papa? 🤣🤣
Started using cardboard 3 years ago...best decision ever! My sister owns a liquor store so getting boxes is no problem! Landscape looks great and am now using my extra time expanding my garden. .
How deep does the cardboard need to be buried?
So in the past 3 yrs where the cardboard lies. Do you have less weeds or none?
Is it slippery? We need to put something down but we are covering it with pinestraw
I use cheap galvanized landscape staples ($20 for 500) to tack down the cardboard. Really helps keep the overlap zones from growing weeds.
That would be really helpful on an allotment while you're waiting for your compost to be rotted down enough:)
where do you get that many for $20?
What is a landscape staple. I’m a new home owner and know nothing about yard work.
Good suggestion! I’ve been whittling branches into stakes, and using these like tacks to secure overlapping sheets of cardboard.
Excellent video- just the info I needed. Thanks a BUNCH. Here's a suggestion for you as "payback" since I am an HVAC guy. Use some form of protection around your heat pump unit to prevent the plants from interfering with air flow towards the unit. One option might be plastic construction fencing. The idea is to prevent the plants from obstructing airflow to or from the unit. If airflow is obstructed, the system becomes less efficient and therefore energy costs increase. Additionally, the plants can potentially cause mechanical problems and/or accelerated corrosion of the unit. There should be at least 6 inches of clearance around the unit where no obstructions exist. Consult your owners manual to verify. Thanks again!
Thanks for the info
Quick question...do I still need weed the area before I install the cardboard or can I just put it over top?
My mind is blown! I just bought $50 worth of fabric that I intend to return after watching this video. Very insightful and educational. Thanks!
Thank-you for watching. I'm glad you found the information useful! xD
Trumpetto31 newspapers work also
Just make grow bags out of the fabric roll.
MY MAN!! I’m going to get a lot of cardboard tomorrow 👍🏾
Same story.saved my $$
Several layers of newspaper can be used as well. That is what we used in our garden when I grew up.
The trouble is, newspaper is a lot harder to come by these days. It's not so endemic at it once was. So the quantities needed to mulch with can be difficult to come by.
Tried this last year. Even with 6" overlap, the weeds 'found' their way through the crevices. This year was a nightmare to weed. All in all, good concept, but it only lasted a year. This year we weeded and remulched. Few suggestions.
1. Be sure to remove packaging tape and labels before laying the cardboard as they will find their way to the surface once the mulch settles.
2. Animals love running through it and you will find yourself reorganizing the mulch as it is pushed to the side revealing the cardboard. (I have two large dogs)
3. We allowed mother nature to water the cardboard although with a hilly landscape, you may wish to water to hold it in place and mold it around the area. The mulch tends to slide off the cardboard even modestly steep inclines.
4. Will try it again though....I read a comment below about brown paper rolls from the hardware store - clever! With consistent sheeting and large overlap, this should work better. We used various sized boxes and despite overlapping the spaces/flaps/etc, I can see how some weeds got through. Weeds are resilient and resourceful. So a large brown roll may be the solution - good suggestion!
Thank you
Do we put spikes through the brown paper?
@@Felicite-Etoile i would not - i would wet the paper to keep it down - if you put spikes (make holes) you are creating a space for the grass/weeds to work their way to the surface.
I heard newspaper was a good alternative.
A few heavy rocks on the edges can hold the barrier down.
I found mattress stores have large clean cardboard, think king size bed, and most are happy to have some one take them away.
Great tip, thank you!
Most post offices also. My small local po gets 1 Amazon tote delivered everyday. It's 4x4x6' and already mostly cleaned except for some easily removed labels. Larger offices probably get more.
I love this video. The last little bit showed me I can put thick cardboard over low cut weeds and than apply mulch.
I thought I might have to pull all of the weeds up first. Great! That is so do-able for this 67 year old lady!
Amen!!!
Yep me too at 70yrs young what a great idea 💡
Tess Jones Yup me too. I’m at the far side of 70 and weeding is very difficult. Love this idea!
Tess Jones, I don't have to pull weeds first?
Hope this works for those wild violets. I have been digging the croms up. Got billions taking over. Im 66 an shoveling them out kills me.
Great info! I especially like that you don't have to pull out the weeds before laying down the cardboard - just put it right on top of the weeds 🌸
Trying this today thanks.
You have a gentle voice and I value your information. Thank you
Thanks for watching! :)
Cardboard and layered newspapers is definitely better than landscape fabric but you need to soak them in water first, in order to follow contours and to avoid the woodchips falling off it.
Thanks for the tip
Thanks
Instead of mulch can you just put stones if you want that effect?
@@wendym5086 I wouldn’t use the small gravel.
@@wendym5086 I wouldn't use small rocks either, such a pain to remove and weeds still easily creep out, and I am speaking from experience. Big rocks would be better.
I found your video last spring. Yes i tried the card board. I dont know how to post my photo to show everyone it really works. I am so pleased with the results 1 yr later. Im now doing this technique in the front bed. Thank you
Do you just put the cardboard down over the weeds? Or weed it first?
I don't know , if you know,...but you are a great teacher too.
Great info brother, thank you.
Thank-you very much! I really appreciate it. xD
I've used layers of cardboard to successfully to suffocate grass, when converting lawn to flower bed. Cover with pine needles or chips works great!
Update. Been using this cardboard method for two seasons...Absolutely wonderful. It works brilliantly. Thanks again!
Hello from the UK!! I have used this technique last spring to create a new flower border and it works brilliantly. The cardboard is no longer visible and the border has had hardly any weeds for a year. Your video explains it so perfectly!! Like the planting too, very subtle !!
Very sensible commentary and video. I like, especially, that spraying herbicide is not the solution.
We found full strength vinegar and some mineral oil sprayed on the weeds and then cover it with black plastic to kill it out. Then we use organic preen, mulch and then add another layer of preen. Weeding is MUCH easier. Note: we have been using that same piece of plastic for five years and for all sorts of things.
Adding landscape fabric was the worst landscaping decision I ever made. The weeds grow into the fabric and you can't pull them out. It's horrible.
Nutsedge grass + landscape fabric is AWFUL.
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ that’s where I am right now ugh 😩
I had the same problem too, so I had it removed. I guess landscape fabric is only good as a underlayment for pavers, which I plan to use.
Same here... didn't work for us
Your soil needs 3 things water air And light Is landscape fabric denies it all of them
First of all, thank you so much for the great video. I live in North Carolina, and when I first moved into my house, I did use landscape fabric and covered it with mulch. The problem was, it created termite infestation in my garage. So, I think our idea of cardboard (which I've used before) is a great idea. However, I think, this time, I'll cover the cardboard with river rock or pebbles.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Check the bottom of this page form tips about termites: albopepper.com/landscape-fabric-vs-sheet-mulching.php Also, there is a link to a pdf which is an entire manual on the topic!
I've "known" about using newspaper and cardboard for years, but I kinda forgot. I have a LOT of cardboard right now and was planning to recycle. Thanks for reminding me of a better way to "reduce, reuse, recycle" it. Two problems solved!
I got to the same conclusion a couple years back and it´s been a great solution: Cardboard + wood chips. But I live in México in a semidesert region, so I´ve kept some large areas without plants for two years now, and without weeds so far, even through the 2 months rainy seasons. I expect that at some point I'll need to replace the carboard, but it is still holding...
A tip: I've got big sheets of carboard from Costco, Sams and such. They can give you some from fridges and big equipment if you ask nicely
Just wanted to share the idea that it works for arid regions too and the joy of finding a fellow gardener that likes experimenting on his own.
Cardboard rocks!!!!
You are so right about landscape fabric. It's only a short-term fix for weeds (no better than mulch alone), and in the final analysis you'll wish you'd never laid eyes on the stuff because it creates so many brand new landscaping problems that are even worse than weeds. I really appreciate your evidence-based approach to teaching, thank you!
Even 4 years ago, it's still beneficial to me and everyone. Save my time and money, was planning to buy the fabric, and now i change my mind. Gotta find lots of boxes! Thanks again sir.. Sub and like your videos instantly.. 👍🏻
My neighbor who did my yard last year put down black plastic on the ground to deter weed growth, but with all the rain there are giant weeds growing thru the plastic. I gave away my 2 weed eaters. Now I have to pull them out by hand, because I guess he is not doing my yard anymore, perhaps too many clients. So, this is good to know, I have some cardboard. Now, need some days off work to work on my yard. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!! ♥️👍
P.S. I hate Roundup.
Will this surprise invasive trumpet vines and wild acacias??
Suppress!!
A GREAT place for LARGE THICK pieces of cardboard is your "BIG BOX Stores and Grocery Stores"...
They call them PALLET SLIPS. It creates a protective barrier between the Pallet and the Product. And, if you go into the store (relatively early 7-9am) and ask the Manager or Receiving Clerk NICELY, you can obtain as many of these as they have on hand!
BONUS... And this Cardboard is the Recyclable "Dull" stuff without Tape or any "Shiny Finish" that will not properly biodegrade!
Thanks for sharing this video with EVERYONE!
Take care and Happy Easter,
🤓-Thomas
Washington State
Thnx for ur tip..awsome
Just a heads up. I worked floral in a large grocery chain and we were not allowed to save anything for customers or give anything away. All cardboard was baled and sent out for money to the chain. The other reason was no room to store anything. Grocery chains work on the in and out basis every day. No place is designated as a save for anyone area for anything. Now a one owner or small local chain may. Or a single owner florist shop.
Slip sheets are going to be hit or miss. We need them in order to make the bales. So if the store is low they wont give any up. So availability will fluctuate.
Found your video because I am done with landscape fabric. Come to the conclusion that it is worthless and DOES create more problems. Well done video. Glad I found you.
Wow! Two thumbs up! You’ve just explained what I needed the most! The fabric I used didn’t help, and now it creates another problems. The weeds growing no matter what and now I need to remove this fabric! I’ll use the eco friendly cardboard boxes instead! The business people don’t want us to know about this! Thank you a million! May God Bless you for sharing and saving the earth! 👍
@Nettie Reynolds you need to ask yourself what am I going to have after the cardboard rots away?
This is the most intelligent, common sense, well thought out method I’ve seen yet. THANK YOU!!
I agree. Simple 'realistic expectations' and great results.
The methods used are awesome! Love doing this in my yard...
Wow! Thank you for sharing. I didn’t know the cons of using the weed fabric 😕
Now, I will use the cardboard instead!
Been mulching with cardboard for years! It's the best kept secret to weed control!
I have been doing cardboard for about three years and I did not have to weed all summer long and the cardboard Dissipated within the second year I had absolutely no waiting my soil was wonderful from the cardboard. It really does work
Great idea for using card boards, they decompose over time and it doesn't cost anything; You can actually get them for free at some recycling centers and it's great for the environment. Thanks for sharing!
Everything you said is ecologically 100% spot on. I have been a cardboard proponent for years, Use it for all my weed suppression. Multiple layers with free wood chips. Closely spaced perennials crowd out weeds - use up that vacuum. Plus worms love cardboard. Well done-well said.
I had a hill that was difficult to mow so I tore out the grass, added topsoil and planted perennials I already had, Autumn Joy Sedum, Hydrangeas, Hostas, Buttercups, Spiderwort, Hardy Geraniums, and more, by transplanting and dividing them. I used creeping buttercups, ground cover sedum, and ajuga in between because of the amount of shade I have in my yard and then mulched my first year with grass clippings to keep weeds at bay and grass from growing back in. This worked great and I don't have to mulch anymore and a trip through the garden once a week to pull some stray weeds that found a spot is all I need to do. No landscape fabric and no mulch to buy every year. Thank you for proposing landscape fabric not being the solution. It makes it difficult to plant new plants and for plants to seed and thrive except for the weeds. Now half of my back yard has perennials blooming from snow to snow, almost weed free, and I live in Michigan.
Mulching with grass clippings? I had not thought of that. It doesn't wind up including some grass seed and getting you grass where you don't want it? BTW, I'm in Michigan also. :-)
On my driveway in the center i had all weed growing. I parked my vehicle on that spot for 2 years and when they removed the vehicle the area was bare with no weeds and my assumption is when you prevent the sun raze from hitting a certain area the roots die and there is no more sign of weed, even a plastic type of fabric such as heavy duty construction bag to cover the area and prevent growth, it really works and no weeds growing.
Write a book Candace. Your comment showed amazing and holistic problem solving skills. I've done the same thing. In my neck of the woods.🍀
@@juans3728 p
Should tell people that don’t know the cardboard is FOOD for worms to eat and add compost to your soil.
I have used cardboard for years. No weeds!
It’s free, sterile and ABUNDANT
I have a tub of worms for fishing. They eat newspaper & cardboard. Every once in a while I give them an apple too.
What about fire ants will the live under the cardboard??
I also have root knot nemetoades I hoped to kill them with black plastic and mulch
What I noticed after watching a number of AlboPepper videos, is he is never in doubt. He states, this is the best way to do it and anyone that does it differently is wrong. Works for me!
Welcome to my channel Curtis. And thanks for watching! In many of my videos topics, I've already spent time testing the subject at hand. So there's less guess work since the results have already been observed. I know there might be multiple ways to achieve the same goal & I try to respect other people's choices. But on some options, I've definitely drawn a line in the sand. For example, using herbicides like Roundup is an absolute no-no. On this, I will NOT budge! :-D
we all tout what works best for us. i am a landscape idiot, so i watch & take away whatever i want to try. i like his teaching style!
I've done this with great results in my garden beds. I try to use double wall brown corrugated, without too much print if possible. I prepare my beds in late winter, early spring then throw down the boxes and then a good inch or two of new top soil. Let it marinate for a month or so and when the starts are ready to go in, just punch down through the corrugated with a hand shovel. It should be pretty soft after a few rains (or 6 straight weeks of rain if you're in Oregon like me!).
No mulch on top?
Explain pls
This is absolutely the best video breaking down pro and cons of landscape fabric and providing brilliant alternatives. I’m definitely subscribing to this channel! Thanks for the good info!
Wow, I learned something! Those big cardboards will be useful now in the backyard instead of the blue bin.
Wao.watched couple of vedios b4 this catched my eyes,how to kill weed.was about to go to buy fabric from costco around 31$ n then i was reading comments while listening n one person mentioned about pellet spills card boards...wallla....i can get as many card borads from my company for free.saved my $$,good for earth n problem solved. Every one lived happily thereafter💝💝💝thnx for evry1 for contributing here.
once a week I go to the local thrift store and gladly take their boxes. In the winter I take them to the recycle center, during gardening time, I sort through them, saving up the ones that have no color, and little tape for gardening. It gives me free stuff, and saves them paying to have them hauled away. Win, win!!
That creeping Thyme looks gorgeous . You have inspired me to buy one . Also , cardboard boxes is a top idea for a mulch underlay . I've been using newspapers but now I'll use both . Good on you .
Excelllllllllent idea! I LOVE the look of flowers and grass bunched together and it NEVER occurred to me to use that design and other ground covers to “weed out” the weeds! 🙌 Thanks for the great video!!
Thanks for your video. I've actually been dealing with a huge garden that I can't weed alone. It just feels like an endless chore and not what gardening is supposed to be for me. I appreciate your video so much. It made sense and I like your voice and delivery. Very relaxing. 😊👍 I noticed at the end that you don't even weed the area. You just put the cardboard right on top of it. Amazing! Just wanted to make sure that it's all I have to do. Thanks!
snowykys we had the same problem but noticed that after applying calcium to the garden, we had fewer weeds.
Great video. I was never much of a gardener and really could use all the tips I can get. I really liked the ideas you presented here. I love the factor of working with and using nature rather than overpowering it.
Thank you
Fantastic and perfect advice , I have just created a large bed and within days it began being covered in pesky weeds , you have saved the day , Thankyou !
I have been mulching my garden with newspaper for 50 years. I use 3-4 layers and top it with either leaves or straw. Then it is decomposed enough to til in in the spring. We have used landscape cloth in several other places and in all of them it is a big mess. I have never used cardboard but I will sure try it now. I love your video, too. You are a great teacher and I sure agree with you about the herbicides and wildlife.
I’m glad I found this. This will be much easier for me. I like to research my projects extensively. It always pays off. Thanks.
Great advice. I used layers of newspapers several years ago to start a new flower bed. They said to lay it right on top of the grass in the fall and top with thick layer of wood chip mulch. The next spring it was perfect to plant flowers. I will definitely be using cardboard to use under shrubs and hedges then add my mulch. Thanks for this advice. I will be taking the fabric up and doing as you do.
That was a great deal of very valuable information. Thank you for educating us on how to have a beautiful, weed-free yard without harming the environment, soil organisms or our own bodies!
Thank you. This video was very timely for me. I’m helping to recover numerous neglected flower beds, and we have over a hundred units in the building. That makes for a whole lot of cardboard. 😁
Very informative, thank you! Cardboard, newspaper and contractor paper also called painters paper are all great organic choices which work well in controlling unwanted weeds and grasses. There are critics who will tell you that cardboard in the garden is a bad idea because chemicals used in the production are bad for the environment. Production of cardboard in the USA is strictly regulated and no harmful chemicals are used. Something I learned is that every box has a stamp at the bottom showing the country of production, look for the stamp and if it says USA it is save to use in your garden.
Lots of good info presented in a way I can actually remember. Thanks!
Been using cardboard for years. Found out a long time ago that I did not like landscape fabric. Thanks for the video!
Grateful for this video! I live in Brazil and I started using the "no dig" method a short time ago, precisely in a place where it rains A LOT, up to 3 meters a year. It's nice to plant in Cubatão, you just stick stakes in the ground and then take root. It's tropical climate, plants grow wildly. But if the cardboard pieces are too big, the rain drags the mulching!... I ended up preferring smaller pieces, with more overlap. The water soon finds an outlet and the roots too, it's been working very well. I learned later that they call it "the lasagna garden"...
A big hug, from Brazil. And... GET OUT BOLSONARO, let's uproot this guy like the weed he is.
Get a large roll of brown paper like you see at a furniture store or deli and use that as a weed barrier. I like this because it doesn't have ink or any other contaminants. Great video.
Add thick layers of news paper that is damp then layer with last year's composted leaves, compost and then mulch. Thus is, the eaence of lasagna gardening.
This is what I was thinking.. You can get end rolls from some Newspaper companies for free..
Would used/inked newpaper be safe?
@@melanierust7129 newsprint ink is soy based. Is it gmo, probably.
@wendef ung Yes too thin. I wouldnt use it. Think WORMS. put down newspapers corrugated cardboard, all the layers you want of that. The worms eat it and return to the soil their black gold as plant food.
VERY WELL PRESENTED... THANK YOU!!! We're looking at some cost effective ways to redo our front yard and minimizing water usage as part of our strategy. I was about to purchase some (expensive) ground cover fabric, but your suggestion about using cardboard is a great idea for the reason's that you and others have explained... AND, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY DELIVERIES COME IN FROM AMAZON THAT I SPEND AT LEAST 1/2 HOUR EVERY WEEK TEARING UP CARDBOARD BOXES SO THEY'LL FIT IN OUR RECYCLE CAN!!! HALLELUJAH! I'VE BEEN SAVED... AND IT DIDN'T COST ME A DIME!!!
This video is great. Finally a video that makes perfect sense and doesn't candy code everything. Thank you for that.
SO good that people are starting to staying away from Round-Up. I tell my neighbors do NOT even bring that poison within my sight.
Me too! My yard guys always want to use it and I refuse to allow it on my property.
This worked so well in my own yard my whole family have asked for me to show them how
Truth! We just weeded a large bed on the side of our house. Landscape fabric was put down several years ago with mulch on top. The weeds were putting roots down through the fabric. I also had to get a knife to split the fabric to plant bulbs. I'm going to go back and cut out sections at a time because I hate it lol.
Liz NYP
Cardboard and layers of newspaper with being mulched on top are an excellent way to control weeds and you can also plant on it too ! Grass clippings only bring more weeds !! Great job 🥰
I used the landscape sheeting on a large, long bank years ago. Lesson learned. What a mess I created. I use cardboard now. Except in my back 1/4 acre fenced in yard. My large dogs think the cardboard is for digging up and shaking around. Everywhere else, its use has created a nice earthworm laden, rich soil that my perennials and boxwoods love.
Called sheet composting! Great idea. Fabric good undet paths, patios, any hardscape. Great video!
Lawrence Wheeler Yes. Rock “river beds”. There are areas where I don’t want anything to grow, so this idea doesn’t work for those areas.
Thank you for reafferming what I've been doing all along: using cardboard. I'm on a corner lot and have a big yard to take care of that is overwhelming. I thought people will think I'm crazy so I'm doing carboarding small areas at a time. Using cardboard is the way to go for me!
Try to avoid worrying "about what people think". It's YOUR landscape. Enjoy...
My Comment was a reply to yours, Marisa...Peace!
You are a saint. I just went out and got fabric for my garden bed. This is my first home so I'm looking at all kinds of videos. You literally are amazing thank you
I watched the whole thing just to hear you say CARDBOARD. I wrote three Lasagna Gardening books on the subject and you said all the right things.
Lol, remember though that in actual landscape beds it's about more than just cardboard. Filling in empty spaces with perennial plantings, including ground covers, is part of the long-term strategy.
It's funny (but not too funny) but I've been hauling cardboard to the recycle center for years, while the whole time a solution to my weed problem was right under my nose ~8^) Thanks.
I love the idea of planting plants closer together.
Thank you!!!! I can’t wait to try the cardboard. The ground cover is such a great idea!!! Thanks again
I wished that I have seen this video earlier. I've thrown away so many cardboard boxes that's it's just ridiculous. I would've been able to cover my entire yard with them. Thanks for this great video!!
Virna KM my too. After doing landscaping, I didn’t see this, and threw out a lot of amazon boxes away
Yeh, me too.
Same here! Luckily, I have a few boxes in my backyard that I was going to throw away but I'll be using those for my garden!
Never thought about the worms. Good point. I had a small raised box and I used a metal fencing with a layer of fabric on it and I still had the weeds eventually. My mother used simple newspaper weighed down with rocks and covered with mulch. She grew organically and had a green thumb for sure. Now I retired and have more time...I think Ill try it her way...too simple and breaks down at the end of the season over the winter. Now if that would only take care of the horribly invasive bush roots that take over everything...lol.
Great low key presentation. I subscribed. I prefer newspapers to cardboard. In my area ( heavy rain-zone 7) grasses are the problem. They are hard or impossible to simply pull out. It takes hours with a soil knife. You've motivated me to get out there and refresh my rose beds. 👍
You are SO right about that landscape fabric! I bought a house with a nice big flower garden.
But when I went to plant my plants weed fabric was below the soil! I had to literally cut it out with a serrated knife tool
Just to plant. I didn’t have the time to dig it all up. It was just like you said. Weeds grew on top like crazy. I would never use the stuff!
I have used cardboard before & it works much better & is better for the soil because it eventually becomes soil too. First time viewer.
Brilliant video mate 👏 . So simply explained that even the most novice gardeners will be able to understand the horticultural reasons of why you would take this approach. Very well done 👍
Great video. I've been taking my cardboard to a recycling center. I'll be using it in the yard now. Thanks for the great tips!
This is a great video! I also had experience with wood mulch turning into compost and the fabric being a barrier and weeds growing in it. Will consider the cardboard idea. One issue with wood mulch is when it is blown it goes away and need to replace.
I appreciate how you thought about the functionality but also how to respect nature!
I have done this for years. It breaks down slowly and it works. You are right.
Thanks for all you do, great video for those who don't understand being as organic as possible can be easier.
Thank-you so much for watching! :-)
I have used cardboard in this way and it works great! I didn't know it was an actual technique I was just trying to avoid herbicides to save the fruit trees from possible exposure! My (disabled)mother's whole backyard, roughly 2000sqft was ALL WEED a literal SEA of mainly mallow(thankfully). I tied rope to a wood plank(for holding) and stomped it all down, applied cardboard and woodchips and it did wonders. The yard was literally unwalkable and now you can actually see the trees and back wall 😄 mallow is a great little(BIG once full grown!!) plant but I prefer to observe it while hiking only. I also just put down fabric today roughly 70sqft but I plan on putting gravel over it to reduce the maintenance my mom has to up keep and then cutting into it in the future to plant some accent bushes. Landscape fabric has it's uses too. Cheers!
Thank you so much! Love watching and learning from you. Explains why I had so many weeds using the fabric. Weeds are growing on top! I've used black and white newspapers over the years too. Going to try the cardboard. Thanks!
Just ran across your video. Great idea and it appears to be very effective. I'm going to give it a try myself as I plan to mulch around a maple tree in my front yard. Thanks for the great video!
Man this is exactly what I was needing. You are a genius... or at least useful for my yard issues. Thanks for this video
I'm returning my fabric roll, thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you. Great advice! I hate chemicals and Have been suggesting more plants to hubby for years...thanks for backing me up on this one! And since he found your video first, now he believes me! We will definitely try some cardboard.
Wow! Awesome! I recently moved into a new home. Previous owners were not gardeners si it was landscape fabric and mulch, with a few plants! Being 65, and a Gardener, I was looking for way more plants and less grass! I have employed everything you talk about here and even though it will take some time, I am on my way! Keep up the good work
oh you are so right about all this based on my trials and fails and I always scope out cardboard to sheetmulch now.
I put down cardboard and mulch in back of house over two years ago. Still holding up. Thanks for the tips.
Yup. Same. I had to rip out the previous homeowners landscaping fabric first & it was buried so deep and had tree roots and other plants growing through it🤦♀️
I am still finding pieces of it years later.
Sheet mulch only way to go!
Yes that's what I use. The fabric is way overpriced and gardening can be so expensive that I use whatever is available to me that I don't have to spend money on
newspaper was an oldschool technique. I love this 'upgrade'.
It's a great and simple idea!!! I tried it ......excellets results and zero cost!!!! Thank you very much
Articulate and clear demonstration. Clever. Thank you!
Tks very much for your video; one of the best ones i've watched and high quality HD !! You seem really passionated about using organic, bio-degradeable materials to block out weeds. Tks for ur video and that stopped me wasting time buying more landscape fabric. Keep up the good work.
It is so true what you said about all this stuff! The best I experienced about this content is to put CLUMP-LIKE-GROWING Perennials together (with enough place to grow properly, best work so called self-cleaning plants, which need not much care) and maybe here an there some groundcoverplants(but be sure that they matches with the perennials inside the bed!!) e.g: if you put evergreens in it, be sure that there is nothing in competition to them, and be sure that other plant in it are pretty well static, like boxwood, spireas, feathergrass (important: always clump-like-growing grasses!!), pulp-plants which can come up through in spring, etc. All Plants in beighbourhood must have the some growing-strenght, the same light, and - most important - the same need for water!! If you consider these things I can give you a suceed warranty. Enjoy! :-)
Yes brother preach! that and newspaper, is what I've been using