carpet underlay

[Reks]

Hi,
I am going to pickup some old carpet and underlay today for my allotment. I have read underlays make very good brassicas collars. Can they also be used to protect starwberries , courgette from rotting? Where else can I use the underlay on my plot? The old carpet will be used to cover up the section of land that has not yet been dug.

Any tips will be useful.

[Two_Sheds]

I would vehemently NOT recommend the foamy type underlay.

It disintegrates into millions of horrible pieces.

[vicky]

I've used a lovely fibourous underlay as a blanket to keep my compost warm and speed it along. The birds have nicked bits for their nests!

[NOG]

As long as its an old carpet and underlay you should be ok. If its newish there are horror stories about chemicals leaching outinto the ground.

[jackie j]

We are not allowed carpet on our site, dont use any foam backed as it contaminates the soil.

[PAULW]

Take it to the tip and get some weed supressant fabric that is made for gardening it will last longer and no fears of nasty's getting into the soil

[Two_Sheds]

The old carpet will be used to cover up the section of land that has not yet been dug.

Yes, I do this.
It works really well, but you must remember to turn it over now and again ... or else weeds will grow into and through it

[Reks]

Hi,
I collected the carpet yesterday not the underlay and it looked like it would disintegrate just as what Two_Sheds said.

I am a bit worried after reading NOG's response. The carpet does not look very old. It's light blue in colour and the backside looks like is made of some kinds jute type of fabric.

Wondering if its ok to use it .......and if yes then does it matter what side should touch the ground?

[Snadger]

I spent ages cutting strips for my paths only to find after a particularily windy night it was all in next doors allotment plot. Undeterred, I retrieved it, pinned it down with net pegs and put bricks on it to hold it down. Two or three weeks later it was in next doors allotment again...........it went from there straight to the skip!

[Reks]

I spent ages cutting strips for my paths only to find after a particularily windy night it was all in next doors allotment plot. Undeterred, I retrieved it, pinned it down with net pegs and put bricks on it to hold it down. Two or three weeks later it was in next doors allotment again...........it went from there straight to the skip!

thats such an imp point....I have to think of if I am using it what to hold it down with

[Paulottie]

I have read that the chemical leaching is somewhat over-stated. A small bit is handy for insulating the heap and it does work for weed suppression if you use it responsibly as 2Sheds. (a big )HOWEVER....the problem come when it is left. The weeds grow through, it rots and you are left with the nylon weave that makes what's left impossible/darn difficult to dig out. It can ruin the land.

I had to remove a heavy stinking mass of 1/2 rotted carpet to the tip from an abandoned allotment in order to re-rent. I banned it's use on our site thereafter.

I used Mypex, a lot when I started and for covering unused plots and I lend it to Newbies. It is still not a desirable long term option and it frays if you don't melt the ends.

The budget recycling option?....Flattened cardboard boxes can work very well if you get the tape off/ staples out

[Reks]

I have read that the chemical leaching is somewhat over-stated. A small bit is handy for insulating the heap and it does work for weed suppression if you use it responsibly as 2Sheds. (a big )HOWEVER....the problem come when it is left. The weeds grow through, it rots and you are left with the nylon weave that makes what's left impossible/darn difficult to dig out. It can ruin the land.

I had to remove a heavy stinking mass of 1/2 rotted carpet to the tip from an abandoned allotment in order to re-rent. I banned it's use on our site thereafter.

I used Mypex, a lot when I started and for covering unused plots and I lend it to Newbies. It is still not a desirable long term option and it frays if you don't melt the ends.

The budget recycling option?....Flattened cardboard boxes can work very well if you get the tape off/ staples out

Paulottie - just wondering if I use it for a short period like 1 mth will that be good enough to kill the weeks and grass and maybe this is less time for the weeds to grow thru the carpet....trying to decide if the roll should go straight into the tip now or maybe few months later.....

[Paulottie]

It takes about two years to kill most nasties like bindweed, nettle and couch , although they will be significantly weakened and easier to dig out in just one season. A month will do little except suppress annual weed seed from germinating or hold dug land till you wish to plant in it.

Depending on weather it is wool or synthetic as to the time it takes to break down but it takes a while for it to grow in if you use weedkiller etc it will help... but don't just leave the carpet there for two years though it needs lifting and digging over every so often.

As I said the problem would come if you were/had to leave for whatever reason and it is left there. (not saying 'you' but it happens on allotments)

[Reks]

Thanks. Ok, get the picture...letme have a think.......