Black plastic sheeting for killing weeds

nirajn123

Novice gardner here - I have a part of my garden which we have not fully planted - some bedding plants we had died off and I previously cleared out the area but over last few weeks weeds are growing back. I don't plan to plant anything there until Spring but can't keep that clean for longer due to ever growing weed.

I heard that I can just block it with black plastic sheeting for couple of months which will kill the weed. Any one thinks it is not a good idea? Alternatively do you recommend any particular sheets (make etc) or material that you would recommend - Not keen to spend massive amount of money until Spring so would be good to get some easy options to keep it tidy.

MockTurtle

I used pond liner to do this. Its on a roll at the local garden centre and you buy it according to length. We left it on the patch in question held down with stones over winter last year and in spring, there were no more weeds.

I did dig out as much soil as I could and replaced it with new topsoil though, just in case there were a few dormant little blighters in there!

Justagardener

This is a good idea . leave the plastic down as long as you can into the spring the more heat under the plastic from the sun the better...it is a recognised way of sterilising the soil. As for material just cheap garden black polythene will do. This method will not kill perennial weeds though so spray these off first with a systemic weed killer

Elsewhere

If you want to spend nothing - I've used compost bags cut and spread open, also old discarded carpet (cheap carpet is best, the expensive stuff, being natural fibre, rots) .... basically anything that doesn't let light through.

zaax

Just use black bin liners, never carpets as they break down after a time and contaminant the soil

Davesnave

There is this (other brands, sizes etc readily available):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QVS-Shop-Control-Landscape-Membrane/dp/B00C7T3LA8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1477431446&sr=8-5&keywords=weed+control+matting

Weighed down with bricks, this stuff breathes a little and gradually lets moisture through, so no puddles.

It is more expensive than other options, but I'm still using pieces well over 5 years old, it dries out quickly and rolls up well for storage. The only down-side is that it can fray on edges and trying to seal them with a flame can be 'interesting.'

CharlieBilly

You need weed suppressant as it allows water to penetrate but doesn't allow light in for weeds to grow, dont use pond liner as suggested.

Same as one Davesnave posted but mine came with 50 pegs

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CFSMNWI

I tend to double over lap the stuff as it does fray or I use a no nails type glue and over lap. I heard you can also use a heat gun or lighter to seal the cuts to stop fraying

Davesnave

CharlieBilly wrote: »

I tend to double over lap the stuff as it does fray or I use a no nails type glue and over lap. I heard you can also use a heat gun or lighter to seal the cuts to stop fraying

Yes, just not a very hot weed gun, as I found out!

TheGardener

Elsewhere wrote: »

...also old discarded carpet (cheap carpet is best, the expensive stuff, being natural fibre, rots) ....

I'd avoid carpet like the plague. Too heavy when wet to remove and falls apart, frays, goes slimy and smells. Stick with a water permeable ground cover as Davesnave says.

getmore4less

I got a roll of 100gm of amazon and it has worked great with woodchip(got free off freecycle) to suppress areas of our garden.

40p sqm ia about right in the larger quantities

Probably worth investing in some as it seems tough enough to clean up and keep for next year.

DigForVictory

A schoolmate used scaffolding net to discourage unauthorised growing stuff - she got it free for a grin, went genteelly berserk with the roundup, laid down the net and held it with bark chippings. Her children the adopted it as a (reasonably) soft play area & it's only now they're teenagers that she's considering trying to grow stuff there!