Topic: paths - membrane and mulch questions

[gwynleg]

Hi. I have seen lots of info here about creating paths but have some probably daft questions to ask. I have made raised beds and want to somehow keep weeds down/away from the paths. I have some membrane - how do people use this - how do you keep it down and not rucked up on a path? Do you attach to the beds somehow?

For mulch I have read that people use bark or wood chips but a allotment neighbour said that encourages wood lice that'll eat all my crops - any advice on this or other good mulches for on top of the membrane please?
Thanks!

[Lauren S]

I use large membrane pins, they look like big hairpins, if you know what I mean. About the thickness of wire coat hangers.

Oh found a link for you. They also have black weed fabric pins too  ;D

http://www.ewburrownursery.co.uk/downloads/plantsdownloadfiles/p18_19.pdf

Hope this is useful

[manicscousers]

we use woodchip, never had a problem with woodlice eating stuff, only the strawberries and there's no wood chip there, ???

[gwynleg]

Thanks Lauren and Manicscousers - really useful link and reassurance re woodchip. I have had woodlice in my sweetcorn (they climb well!) but there was no woodchip near them, but dont want to entice them!

[Norfolk n Proud]

Hi gwynleg, i now have raised beds with woodchip paths in between, and i just laid a :) weedproof membrane down and and made sure the strips that i cut, were 5-10 cm's wider than the path, and then nailed them to the beds. It looks much nicer than a weedy and muddy path, in my opinion. :)

[Carls3168]

Ive got weed membrane down - held in place with either camping pegs, or just tucked under the wood of the rasied beds.
Mine are covered with woodchips, and I dont have any probs with woodlice  ???

One thing to remember with woodchips though is that they dont last forever and will eventually rot. Try to find a suitable supplier (i.e. not B&Q) I get mine from a local nursary who have mountains of them... I fill a trailer (8`x6`) for the bargain price of £8.00!
I'm always on the look out for paving slabs people dont want though to replace these with

[manicscousers]

our recycle centre gives wood chip away for nothing  :o you just have to bag it yourself  ;D