Black plastic

**Snadger** · 30-12-2008, 07:44 PM

Weeds don't usually grow as much during the winter. Take the opportunity to put an organic mulch of some kind, paper, cardboard, manure or staw. This will increase the organic content of the surface layer and act as a weed suppressant.

Here's a lady that new a thing or three about mulches!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ment_5573.html

**Two_Sheds** · 30-12-2008, 07:51 PM

I hate plastic. It has its uses, but it's not the best mulch.

Sheets of wet newspaper work really well, and are biodegradable.

Green manures are excellent, so long as you choose one for your conditions... I've tried many, and will stick to Limnanthes in future: it's perfect for my sandy soil, lack of frost etc.

**zazen999** · 30-12-2008, 08:06 PM

We use cardboard and newspaper for any patches that need covering; either weigh it down or shovel soil on top to keep it in contact with the soil and plant through it. And it's free.

**selfheal** · 30-12-2008, 08:31 PM

and it also blows away in very windy and exposed spots........ we have enough stone to hold down the edges of plastic sheets but not to hold that many carboard boxes. It can get mighty windy up there- galeforce over christmas i was told.

where do you propose we find enough cardboard to cover 7000sqm? And how many trips on foot will it take to get them onsite?

This is a large scale operation and unfortunately with so many of us needing to cover the soil for the next few months most of us think plastic is the best way forward. It wont be for the long term, it will just allow people to tackle their plots bit by bit. Once we have got our plots up and running im sure most people will opt to cover small uncultivated areas with cardboard or green manures and cover crops.

Tts quite a heavy clay soil and is going to take alot of digging to get the beds into shape. With it having been rotovated the chances are the weeds are all nicely chopped up and eager to go forth and multiply. There is no easy answer to the problem i know, but i think most people are settled with the idea of using plastic to keep the soil weed free and prepare it a little at a time.

**kitchengardner** · 30-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by selfheal View Post

and it also blows away in very windy and exposed spots........ we have enough stone to hold down the edges of plastic sheets but not to hold that many carboard boxes. It can get mighty windy up there- galeforce over christmas i was told.

where do you propose we find enough cardboard to cover 7000sqm? And how many trips on foot will it take to get them onsite?

This is a large scale operation and unfortunately with so many of us needing to cover the soil for the next few months most of us think plastic is the best way forward. It wont be for the long term, it will just allow people to tackle their plots bit by bit. Once we have got our plots up and running im sure most people will opt to cover small uncultivated areas with cardboard or green manures and cover crops.

Tts quite a heavy clay soil and is going to take alot of digging to get the beds into shape. With it having been rotovated the chances are the weeds are all nicely chopped up and eager to go forth and multiply. There is no easy answer to the problem i know, but i think most people are settled with the idea of using plastic to keep the soil weed free and prepare it a little at a time.

Your best bet would be to try Mole Valley Farmers (enter name on Google to find web address) or your local farm suppliers for this kind of scale. Might be worth mulching underneath with straw if you can lay your hands on it - this will help suppress weeds, warm the soil for earlier planting and also as it rots in will help with your heavy clay soil. Best of luck

Regards

Kitchen Gardener

**zazen999** · 30-12-2008, 08:39 PM

We're also on a windy site and the soil on top keeps it down.

I'm sure if you google for it, you'll find it.

**SarzWix** · 30-12-2008, 10:09 PM

What Kitchen Gardener says; either ask a friendly farmer where they get theres from, or find a farm suppliers in the locality and ask for silage bags.
If you want the proper weed suppressant membrane which will last longer so can be used laterfor paths etc, try; ebay, LBS Garden Warehouse, or NA Kays where you can buy it on the roll.
The straw & cardboard is a good idea too, underneath the plastic in places where you want to grow but haven't had time to dig yet, you can plant lots of things through holes in the plastic, like spuds, pumpkins, courgettes, sweetcorn....

Good luck with it, hard work, but exciting

**selfheal** · 30-12-2008, 10:30 PM

thanks

does anyone know what thickness is required? trawling google im coming across varying thicknesses. i found some at a decent price for 250mg weight but im worried we will need 500mg thickness?! Dont want something paper thin. The price difference is massive. a full plot at 250mg is under �50, 500mg your looking at well over �100. And thats buying in bulk 7 plots or more.

Its going to be quite expensive! Its a shame as we have been really lucky so far, we've managed to get the site cleared, measured out and the land prepared and even getting the water pipes in all for free. Its been really amazing to see what you can get done with a community effort! We've got a grant for the fencing and some equiptment too.... its all coming along really nicely now.

Cant wait to get back down there and start planting

**kitchengardner** · 30-12-2008, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by selfheal View Post

thanks

does anyone know what thickness is required? trawling google im coming across varying thicknesses. i found some at a decent price for 250mg weight but im worried we will need 500mg thickness?! Dont want something paper thin. The price difference is massive. a full plot at 250mg is under �50, 500mg your looking at well over �100. And thats buying in bulk 7 plots or more.

Its going to be quite expensive! Its a shame as we have been really lucky so far, we've managed to get the site cleared, measured out and the land prepared and even getting the water pipes in all for free. Its been really amazing to see what you can get done with a community effort! We've got a grant for the fencing and some equiptment too.... its all coming along really nicely now.

Cant wait to get back down there and start planting

250mg should be fine, especially if you put straw, card or several layers of newspaper underneath. However, if you are not sure you could always use 2 layers of 250mg if that works out cheaper than 500mg!

Regards

Kitchen Gardener

**Snadger** · 30-12-2008, 11:31 PM

Personal view here..................Just as a football pitch looks like a green desert so does a plot covered in black plastic look like an opecast mine!

**Alison** · 30-12-2008, 11:41 PM

I bought some tarps cheap from B&Q in their end of season sale (half price I think) and used a few of them to cover the areas which I've not had chance to dig over as yet, they're 5m by 4m so cover a reasonable area.

**Two_Sheds** · 31-12-2008, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by selfheal View Post

and it also blows away in very windy and exposed spots........
where do you propose we find enough cardboard to cover 7000sqm? And how many trips on foot will it take to get them onsite?

It doesn't blow away if it's wet and held down with a bit of soil. I am on the East Coast, and it doesn't get a lot windier than here.... you can count calm days on the thumbs of one hand.

You don't need to cover 7,000 metres all at once.

I think the temptation with an "instant fix" like plastic is that it lulls people into thinking that's all they need to do ... cover the ground and then neglect it. Also it looks awful, it can turn the soil sour, it harbours slugs, and it does not very much for the environment.

I've turned my own plot from a bramble covered mess into a fully-planted (well, 3 quarters) in less than 6 months. And I have a bad back. And no car.

I clear a bit, then plant a bit. Or clear a bit, then cover it with newspapers (like Toby Buckland has done in the latest GYO). Brought to my plot on my bike. A little at a time. I've done it, it works, it costs nowt.

**chuffa** · 31-12-2008, 08:05 AM

I get my black plastic for my raised beds from a local builders merchant. Its cheap, very thick to keep the light out and folds down nice and small to store in the shed when not in use. I hold it down with old 6"x6" timber and house bricks. I got my cardboard for my paths from the local Purina factory. They have now turned very hard and are stopping any weeds coming through. They do get a bit slippy when there has been a frost. In time they will be covered with membrane. For bulk amounts why not try you local freecycle. United Kingdom (UK) Freecycle Groups' Homepage

**Snadger** · 31-12-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by chuffa View Post

I get my black plastic for my raised beds from a local builders merchant. Its cheap, very thick to keep the light out and folds down nice and small to store in the shed when not in use. I hold it down with old 6"x6" timber and house bricks. I got my cardboard for my paths from the local Purina factory. They have now turned very hard and are stopping any weeds coming through. They do get a bit slippy when there has been a frost. In time they will be covered with membrane. For bulk amounts why not try you local freecycle. United Kingdom (UK) Freecycle Groups' Homepage

Would it not have been better the other way round chuffa,covering the beds with the cardboard and the paths with the membrane?

I have teram, a porous membrane on my paths (which I think is a bit unsightly) and add wood chippings as they become available!

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