Polythene Mulches For Weed Control

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by misterroy, Jan 3, 2009.

  1. misterroy

    misterroy Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2008
    Messages:
    66
    Ratings:
    +1
    misterroy, Jan 3, 2009
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2006
    Messages:
    6,143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Anything I fancy and can afford!
    Location:
    Tay Valley
    Ratings:
    +3,035
    Very interesting misteroy, particularly the references to mineralisation of nitrogen. I've been using polythene for a few years now and find it very effective for both weed control and as a soil warmer. Up to 2007 I used unperforated sheets, but last spring I spotted some perforated black polythene in Tesco and tried that on my brassicca bed. It worked a treat!
     
    Dave W, Jan 5, 2009
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. misterroy

    misterroy Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2008
    Messages:
    66
    Ratings:
    +1
    I saw some perforated plastic in the local garden centre today, 3 meters wide at £1 per meter in length. Is this the kind of price you paid? With care they reckoned 2 to 3 seasons of life outdoors.
    How does your experience of the stuff compare ?
     
    misterroy, Jan 6, 2009
    #3 Quote in Conversation
  4. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2006
    Messages:
    6,143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Anything I fancy and can afford!
    Location:
    Tay Valley
    Ratings:
    +3,035
    I can't recollect what I paid for the stuff from Tesco, but it was about 2m and quite flimsy - OK for one season though as it was pretty cheap.
    The other stuff I use is the 3m heavier unperforated variety. I've had one section that I melted holes in for my leek bed and it lasted three seasons. (I used woven fabric with holes last season) It would have lasted a bit longer but got torn lifting leeks. I've other bits that I just use for soil warming/weed supression that isn't laid for more than a couple of months and that looks like it will last for several years.
     
    Dave W, Jan 6, 2009
    #4 Quote in Conversation
  5. oktarine

    oktarine Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2006
    Messages:
    699
    Ratings:
    +2
    I use weed supression fabric , its cheap and does the job well.
     
    oktarine, Jan 11, 2009
    #5 Quote in Conversation
  6. misterroy

    misterroy Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2008
    Messages:
    66
    Ratings:
    +1
    got a weblink to what you used oktarine?
     
    misterroy, Jan 12, 2009
    #6 Quote in Conversation
  7. oktarine

    oktarine Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2006
    Messages:
    699
    Ratings:
    +2
    Sadly no,
    I buy mine from www.stonesgardencentre.com

    a local nursery.

    See my recent posts on the allotment link below.

    It comes in a roll, 1.2M x 25M, £4.99

    If I can find a label I will let you know more info
     
    oktarine, Jan 18, 2009
    #7 Quote in Conversation
  8. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    63,572
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +124,001
    I've also used weed suppressant fabric for many years. I bought mine in 2003/04 and it is still as good as new. It is porous and allows the rain through and, in the dry weather, retains moisture much better. I can't remember how much it cost as it was so long ago but it was much cheaper in a small local garden centre than in one of the multiples.

    Each January I roll it back, dig, remove the odd perrenial weed (usually just bindweed), dig in compost, roll it back and no weeding for the rest of the year :yho:. I have about 1,200 sq ft covered in it and it is very easy to dig because it isn't too soggy.

    I grow all my runner beans, courgettes, butternut squash, tomatoes and some of my brassicas through it. I just cut an X in it and plant through the hole. When the plants are younger all that is needed from a watering point of view is to put some water in the hole. This worked very well during the drought.

    I originally made strong wire hooks to pin the plastic down but have reverted to the more unsightly bricks because it is much easier that way.


    [​IMG]
     
    shiney, Jan 22, 2009
    #8 Quote in Conversation
  9. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Ratings:
    +3,702
    Think I have seen something that looks like that Shiney in my local garden centre, will have a look and find a cost if they have it. Its quite thick and reasonably rigid if I recall....is that right?

    Steve...:)
     
    Steve R, Jan 22, 2009
    #9 Quote in Conversation
  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    63,572
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +124,001
    The one I use is quite flexible.
     
    shiney, Jan 22, 2009
    #10 Quote in Conversation
  11. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Ratings:
    +3,702
    Just got back from garden centre, the fabric similar to shineys (I think) is just over a metre wide and sold at £1.60 per metre, it resembles potato sacking in that its woven with flat strands, quite flexible, but tougher and more rigid than that rubbishy paper type landscaping fabric you can buy (which is what I meant in my previous post).

    Steve...:)
     
    Steve R, Jan 22, 2009
    #11 Quote in Conversation
  12. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    63,572
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +124,001
    Steve, that sounds like it. You can get it in different widths. My one is 2m wide and the wider ones are cheaper. I know I got mine a lot cheaper because I bought the whole roll.
     
    shiney, Jan 22, 2009
    #12 Quote in Conversation
Loading...
Similar Threads - Polythene Mulches Weed
  1. Gn0me

    Polythene sheeting a good idea?

    Gn0me, Apr 29, 2022, in forum: Lawns
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    1,975
    Gn0me
    May 3, 2022
  2. Brian L

    How long can Goldfish travel in a polythene bag ?

    Brian L, Apr 14, 2019, in forum: Water Gardening
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    885
    Brian L
    Apr 15, 2019
  3. baris

    Can polyolefin foam be used under the polythene cover to stop the wooden frame to cause any problem?

    baris, Jul 27, 2018, in forum: Poly-Tunnel Gardening
    Replies:
    10
    Views:
    3,099
    baris
    Jul 30, 2018
  4. Lucy.P

    Polythene covering

    Lucy.P, Jun 15, 2016, in forum: Greenhouse Growing
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    673
    Lucy.P
    Jun 15, 2016
  5. wavebuster

    Polytunnel polythene

    wavebuster, Feb 22, 2016, in forum: Poly-Tunnel Gardening
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    3,763
    wavebuster
    Feb 25, 2016

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.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice