Most cost effective anti-weed ground cover?

The_Walker

I wonder what your opinion is on the best all round ground cover for the garden? The term "maintenance-free" springs to mind, so I'm considering paving slabs, bricks, cement etc.

At present there is a layer of gravel over some kind of sheeting. It probably did the job for a few years, but now it's a horrible mess with soil on top and weeds growing everywhere. The only option is to start over.

Will plastic bags under bricks/paving break down? They would collect water a bit, but is that so bad? I really like the look of reclaimed bricks roughly dug in with spacing, but I suppose the spacing would invite the dreaded weeds unless I used cement or postcrete in between.

Can you tell I'm a beginner? haha

Davesnave

You don't say which garden, so I will start here:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/pavingfrontgarden/

Although the satellite camera technology exists, at the moment, no one other than that nosy neighbour is checking-up on what you put in your back garden.

There's reasons why trapping water by placing a fairly impermeable layer beneath paving is a bad idea, so I would always use a permeable geotextile. Cheap ones like this will do:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/QVS-Shop-Membrane-Driveway-Allotment/dp/B00C7T4MCY

But whatever you use as paving, the joints must be motared well to keep out debris that accumulates, providing a foothold for weed seeds. Also, if the sub-base is not good enough, then eventually the components, be they slabs or bricks, will start to move and joints will open up.

Don't use postcrete. It will go off before you can finish and it costs a lot.

The_Walker

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated

lavandergirl_2

how about artificial grass?