weed supressant made from corn starch

[cambourne7]

Hi Guys,

I just watched beechgrove gardener (episode 6) and there using this black weed supressant which is made from corn starch.

I was looking for something at the end of the year which as the beds finish i can cover to stop the weeds growing and warm the soil.

The biodegradable stuff looks just the ticket any idea why i can get it?

Cam

[cambourne7]

[betula]

Just had a look on eBay,the only thing I could find was tent pegs made from corn starch,apparently these are the sort you need to use at Glastonbury.
Could not find anything re weeds  ;D

[cambourne7]

nope neither can I  :'(

[redimp]

Someone posted about this last year - I think it was expensive.  It might be worth a search - biodegradable mulch or something like that I think.

[redimp]

Found it:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,39196.0.html
http://www.biobags.co.uk/products/mulch.htm

[cambourne7]

great, although there site is not letting me see the prices.

I have worked out i need 23m of 4mx1m black plastic which is 36.75 with www.allplaz.com. This would not include the greenhouse which i need to work out the size of as well ;)

[manicscousers]

lbs garden warehouse sells biodegradeable stuff, including ground cover  ;D

[cambourne7]

looks like this stuff only lasts 40 day or 16 weeks depending on the brand.

Do looks like i am back to black plastic.

[Kea]

Warehouse Shop near me sells weed membrane like the gardman stuff but costs £1-25 for c.15ft x 4ft. I've bought lots of it to cover my beds for over winter etc. Just need to check it's in stock, if you let me know how much you want...I'll check the size..I can get it for you, save you driving over when it's not in stock.

[tonybloke]

plain brown packaging cardboard (presoaked) works a treat!

[cambourne7]

plain brown packaging cardboard (presoaked) works a treat!

Tried that last year and it did work but did not warm the soil up much :(

Kea i will give you a call next week :)

[star]

Soaked cardboard on its own suppresses weeds but to warm the soil you need to top it with rotted manure......preferably in autumn when the ground is warm anyway, helps to keep it warm.

Guess you knew that though ;) :D

[cambourne7]

yep but not everything likes manure like carrots it makes them go funny.

[Kea]

Checked today sold in 5m x 1.6m amounts for £1.25....it's the Warehouse Clearance shop, in case anyone else has one. Last year they were selling rolls 18M x 1m for £4.99.....unfortunately i only bought one and didn't quite click just how good an offer that was. My local garden centre is selling the gardman stuff (only slightly better quality than the warehouse stuff) buy one get one free 8m x 1.5m for £5.99.

[cambourne7]

wow thats quite cheap.

I am going to get my hubbie check how much i need just to be sure.

[PurpleHeather]

Can I have your old black plastic?

Then I can cover with one layer put on the manure for warmth and put another layer on top to keep off the rain.

Then, I can take off the top layer, use the rotted manure in beds that want it and have a nice warm bed for growing things that don't want manure but like it to be warm.

This 'corn starch' is being tried out to replace plastic bags now because it is biodegradable so it looks like it is in it's infancy at the moment which usually means expensive to buy yet. If it is any good then every one will want it, then   some one will decide to manufacture big time and it will become cheap.

However being biodegradable is also going to mean that it probably will only be good to use once. So no more free, used, black plastic from the farms for the allotment's to use.

The unfairly satanised black plastic can be used year after year after year.

[Kea]

The voles have chewed holes in mine.....the bind weed then grows through the holes....does make it easy to apply weedkiller on it though.