| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - May 31 2010 : 4:47:15 PM
This year I decided to do a somewhat modified plan of square foot gardening.
In my existing garden bed, I dug 20 4' x 4' plots. I love it, they are so easy to take care of, weed, reach everything from one spot.
Hubby told me I should have just tilled up the whoooollleee garden first, but of course I wanted to do it my way! 
Now, all the paths between the plots are being taken over by weeds and grass. We could take the weed whacker to these areas, but I really would like some nice mulched even pathways in between.
What can I put down now to help keep those weeds under control?
In a week or so our neighbor/landlord is going to be giving us a bunch of straw, I'll use some of it for the garden, but most will be used for the chickens nesting boxes.
Should I put down black plastic, then straw?
Grass clippings then straw?
Oh, newspaper is out, hubby hates trying to keep it from flying away all the time.
Any suggestions are appreciated!!!!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Jun 04 2010 : 09:50:28 AM
I'd seen on another topic on this site that using old carpet for pathways in gardens would be detrimental to earthworms etc... I rushed out to our Community Garden to remove the strips I was using to get into our large plot, and found, when I pulled them up, earthworms!! Right there underneath the carpet, happy as little, well, earthworms! So maybe it just depends on the carpet you are using? Ours is an old tan color and has been outside in the weather for awhile I would imagine, and they use it for ALL the pathways throughout the (organic) garden, covered with wood chips for aesthetic purposes. Just an FYI!! I was sure relieved...
~TJ in Zone 5
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." -CS Lewis |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 04:05:38 AM
I bought a roll of weed cloth yesterday. It was $7.00 for a big roll that will be plenty. I plan on staking it, or putting rocks on it, until it is established.
Then putting straw over that. Now, if I can just find some straw..... I wouldn't have thought it would be so hard to find that!
Thanks for all the ideas girls!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 10:47:46 PM
My main source of sawdust is a small lumber yard in a guys barn by his house. He doesn't treat his lumber and he uses primarily pine, which raises the acid level. In my garden it's a blessing. My ground is so alkaline nothing grows, so the sawdust feeds the acid that my plants must have and can't get from my ground.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Bart |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 10:34:59 AM
My understanding is that different types of wood will change the soils PH and you may need to adjust it accordingly. I agree that wood walkways and/or mulching is very helpful but do be aware of the PH |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 07:53:53 AM
i agree with angela. sawdust or shavings or chips are a great topper. my only concern is the lumber is usually treated with pesticides in the log yard. we owned a logging out fit. i was raised on the docks. it was at the time the worlds largest lumber shipping port. now all that stands there is a casino. any way the chemicals will leach into the soil if its in the wood. so depends on source. truly a thin line.i do use shavings here on the farm. i have accepted the risk. i am informed. i use them every where. stock corrals pens garden. i just wanted to share my thoughts. when we chip and shred i keep those. they are pure.i also try to get the electric co. chips when in neighborhood doing trees in electric lines. hope this helps happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| Bart |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 06:11:45 AM
If you put down newspaper - full sheets -(water it) then burlap (water it) you'll have perfect walkways! clear of any weeds - for many years. Water doesn't pool, it's never muddy and best of all.... no weeds. |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 05:23:32 AM
I use sawdust, which I get free from local small sawmills and lumber yards. It's not good around the plants themselves unless you pile it up the year before and let it set out and weather. For walkpaths though, the acidic nature of sawdust will kill the grass and weeds quickly.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Gloria Bonde |
Posted - May 31 2010 : 8:44:58 PM
Grass can be a real problem in a "garden" area. It wants to creep. You want to block the light so that the grass can die. I just bought a bale of straw for $5. I use the straw in my veggie area. I have pathways made with out local pink limestone with "living mulches" growing inbetween. There are several pictures on my blog: www.DakotaGarden.com. We have removed most of the lawn in the garden. Any bit of grass root that wasn't removed originally keeps me bending down. I call it my workout.
www.DakotaGarden.com |
| laurentany |
Posted - May 31 2010 : 8:20:36 PM
Brenda-
I have heard exactly what our sister#17 said- that you should NOT use carpet near anything edible as it has chemicals in it that can leech into your plants.
You could either go with the "weed fabric" follwed by straw etc on top, or even try cardboard, with straw on top.
Good luck to you- I hope you win your war with the weeds! Lord knows we all fight that battle...LOL
Laurie
-Farmgirl Sister #1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - May 31 2010 : 6:43:21 PM
I would not use carpet because it is laden with chemicals which can leach into your food. It should never be used in areas where you plant food. I use a weed fabric and cover it wig straw and free mulch I get at our recycling center.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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