black plastic sheeting

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by maria, Oct 23, 2014.

  1. maria

    maria Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2014
    Messages:
    822
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    lancashire
    Ratings:
    +864
    as some of you know i have cleared an area at the bottom of the garden and placed black plastic sheeting on top. This is preparation for next spring. Now today i decided to pull it back and put more soil in places that were not quite level and i found little seedlings growing under it. I was under the impression that weeds etc would be killed off? shall i just pull them out and recover ? will they eventually die?
     
  2. maria

    maria Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2014
    Messages:
    822
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    lancashire
    Ratings:
    +864
    also there are tree roots in that area will keeping it covered do anything to the tree?
     
  3. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    16,524
    Location:
    Central England on heavy clay soil
    Ratings:
    +28,998
    How thick is the polythene? I've only used the thickest heavy duty black polythene used as dpm under concrete floor sabs and think a small amount of light still gets through, but any seedlings germinating under it will die and so will established perennials but it takes a bit longer.

    If there's a weed seed bank in the soil you can always periodically roll back the polythene to let weed seeds germinate, then re-cover to kill them off.

    Personally I'd be wary of covering a very large area under a tree, but putting a shed or impervious paving under one doesn't mean you'll kill/damage the tree.
     
  4. maria

    maria Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2014
    Messages:
    822
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    lancashire
    Ratings:
    +864
    thanks @Scrungee:) not sure how thick it is. Anyway decided just to put my mind at ease as regards the tree i am going to cut the holes in the plastic ready for raised beds at least then rain can get through and i will only have these areas to weed:)
     
  5. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    16,524
    Location:
    Central England on heavy clay soil
    Ratings:
    +28,998
    If you make the raised beds the same width as rolls of Mypex (woven polypropylene, rather than polythene sheet) you can use it to stifle weed growth, reduce the need for watering, permit water (& oxygen) penetration to tree roots, warm the soil underneath, etc., covering them for some crops and removing for others, whatever works best.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • maria

      maria Gardener

      Joined:
      Sep 1, 2014
      Messages:
      822
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      lancashire
      Ratings:
      +864
    Loading...

    Share This Page

    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
      Dismiss Notice