Allotments 4 All

General => Top Tips => Topic started by: betula on March 23, 2008, 00:47:08

Title: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: betula on March 23, 2008, 00:47:08

If the funds are low newspaper laid in thick wads makes a very good weed suppressant.It is amazing how it does not disintergrate even after a winter of heavy rain. :)

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: caroline7758 on March 23, 2008, 09:31:12

I presume you need lots of compost on top to stop it blowing away?

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: gwynleg on March 23, 2008, 17:43:05

But then wouldnt weeds just grow in the compost? Looking forward to answers to this one - I always have lots of newspapers that I recycle but could use on the allotment.
Thanks

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: manicscousers on March 23, 2008, 20:17:46

depends if it's for paths or beds, we use it for mulching up spuds when they're a decent height, covered with grass clippings..if for paths, cover with weed control and wood chips, wads of paper or cardboard works a treat  ;D

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: gunnerbee on March 23, 2008, 22:48:37

stones?

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: grannyjanny on March 24, 2008, 19:29:35

I'm thinking about doing this on a mixed border. I thought if I put a thick layer of paper down & cover it with a layer of bark it might just stop the dreaded bind weed. What do you think.
Janet.

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: betula on March 24, 2008, 19:36:46

Yes I think it would.Well worth a try. :)

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: bluehousehill on March 25, 2008, 22:25:25

Ive put newspaper down in my raised beds then sieved all the soil and made a little path out of the stones, a lot of work but its coming together nicely I have put the weeds into bags not sure what to do with those?

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: betula on March 25, 2008, 23:02:19

Bodge a few holes in the bags and put them to one side for a year.Then add it to the compost heap ;D

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: bluehousehill on March 25, 2008, 23:17:59

will do i thought they might be no good for compost as they are weeds

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: betula on March 25, 2008, 23:36:32

They should be well rotted in a years time ;D

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: Ishard on April 23, 2008, 16:37:55

Old cardbaord boxes from supermarkets opened out are better  ;)

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: Old bird on April 23, 2008, 16:43:04

Hi Betula!

Good Idea - I got, last year, HUGE cardboard boxes from the place that sells those four wheeled shopping carts for elderly people - I think they have a name but I can't remember it, I have a long bank which backs onto garages and this is always a complete nightmare.  I have hacked back years of weeds and used these boxes on there and they certainly worked for a year.  Although now they have disintegrated and I should be getting more and starting again.  Time where does it go!  Talking of that I am nearly ready to go home!  Hey Ho!

Old Bird

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: Anne Robertson on April 26, 2008, 07:17:01

I get free 3mt x 6-8mt black plastic from my local builder merchants / saw mill.  Their wood comes wrapped in it and they just throw it away! They are more than happy to save sheets for me when I ask. It's black on one side and white on the other, lasts year after year as well.

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: djbrenton on April 27, 2008, 10:49:23

On my boards list, this thread shows as VERY CHEAP WEED SUPP. I immediately wondered why Dan hadn't moved a thread about where to buy cheap weed from into Watershed!!

Title: Re: VERY CHEAP WEED SUPPRESSANT.
Post by: betula on April 27, 2008, 12:34:04

 :o :o :o ;D