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Stopping The Weeds

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chokkie | 15:31 Fri 22nd Mar 2019 | Home & Garden
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Hi Green Fingered ABers out there, we've just had our litte "rockery" made-over and we're very pleased with the results. Instead of putting some new shrubs in, I thought we would leave it bare until the autumn and then plant some spring-flowering bulbs. So I thought that the only way to stop the weeds choking it up again, I should lay some black plastic all over the bare earth? Is that the best way? And any particular sort of black plastic? Or just regular stuff? In fact anything that I might have lying around the shed? Any thoughts, folks - just want some way to keep the weeds at bay from this newly formed bed. Thanks in advance, Chox.
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I mean.. Yep, any heavy duty weed cloth would do.

I'd personally allow them to grow, then if on rockery, kill them with fire.

A tarpooling would also work, but would be a bit more messy with water.
Rather than use plastic I would put a few inches of bark down on top of bare (weeded) earth. Just scrape back when it's time to plant bulbs.
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Oh, bark's a great idea. Will bark chips be okay? I've got a whole bag of those sitting in the shed?
My experience of bark is it's a mulc.. if anything weeds will love that.
Mulch* sorry


This just enriches the soil for things to grow. You need a solid layer of blockage. Plastic preferably or a heavy duty weed cloth.
Reading online.. apparently a thick layer of mulch does work as it blocks out light. But that's the only way it works, by limiting light.
You will need a very thick layer of mulch. A good 3 (i'd honestly say 5) inches
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Mmm, think I'll ditch the bark chips idea - will look into some weed cloth, it's not overly expensive. Thanks folks, much appreciate your help. Cheers, Chox.
Sorry to muddy the waters chokie. Anytime i've mulched on my allotment, weeds just re-appear. So in my experience, a weed cloth is the best and in my mind only definite solution. However, as i've said.. It mentions online that a natural weed blocker is a very thick layer of mulch.
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Many thanks everyone, seems to be divided between a very thick layer of mulch and weed cloth. I am tending to go for the weed cloth, but really appreciate your advice, everyone. Much appreciate it all. Happy gardening this weekend folks! Cheers, Chox.
I have slate on mine, which 8 move to put plants in. No weeds seem to get through at all.
My autocorrect is on another level today:-)

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Stopping The Weeds

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