Endless fight with weeds is one of the least popular activities that we simply have to do in the garden. But it often brings only short -term relief, because the soil is literally a bank of more and more seeds ready to clearly germinate. But what if we thought it was unnecessary?
There is an elegant and effective method that can solve the problem for a long time. At the same time, it can also benefit the garden. What is it about? No more than so -called cardboard mulch, or “sheet mulching”. This simple trick allows you to get rid of weeds without drudgery, and at the same time we can consider it a truly sustainable approach to gardening.
You can also advise you youtub video in the Jay’s Garden Journal channel:
Carton works great
Mulching by cardboard is a method in which a layer of cardboard spreads on a weed area, which is then covered with organic materials. It is an approach that uses natural processes, and it is a relatively simple principle. In this case, the carton acts as a barrier that prevents weeds from accessing light. Without this, plants cannot perform photosynthesis and therefore die. Once weeds die, its residues, along with cardboard and other organic layers, begin to decompose, which gradually enrich the soil with nutrients and improve its structure. Isn’t that an excellent idea?
Without weeds, for more nutrients
An interesting feature of this method is that this is not just a mere. Mulching by cardboard gradually and spontaneously changes the soil into living and fertile mass without the need for engraving or deep cultivation. In this way, the activity of microorganisms, earthworms and other small animals are supported, which naturally aerate the soil and decompose organic matter into humus.
Compost is formed on the flower bed
It is like constant directly on the flower bed, leading to a long -term healthier and more nutritious soil, which is better able to retain water. This “soil -forming” impact of cardboard mulching is often neglected in favor of mere deprivation of weeds, but it is good to talk about it because it is one of the greatest benefits of this technique.
How do it?
If you have decided to try this way of fighting weeds right now, you will use some good advice of experienced gardeners. First of all: we have to prepare the area from which we want to create a flower bed without a tough. We do not have to pull the weed that is growing on it now, it will be enough to cut it as low as possible at the ground. Once you have this phase ready, you can run for cardboard – for a lot of cardboard.
IREPEPTER TO EAR
IREPEPTER TO EAR – Podcast for all who love garden, nature, good food and life full of ideas.
Listen on a.
Remember nature
Use clean cardboard – ideal are large cardboard boxes. Remove all adhesive tapes and labels. We must always remember that not everything will spread in the soil. We need to help the garden, not to clog it with non -degradable material. Now spread the clean cardboard so that the pieces overlap at least 10-15 cm, preventing the weeds from growing through the joints. Moisten it thoroughly to stay in place and begin to decompose. It is also possible to add a thin layer of compost directly below the carton, which will speed up decomposition.
Mulch is important
The damp cardboard then comes a mulch layer with a thickness of 10-15 cm. You can use various materials such as wood chips, straw, hay, cut grass (of course without weed seeds) or other compost. This layer serves not only to maintain cardboard in place, but also as another source of organic matter, which will gradually decompose and enrich the soil with important nutrients.
You can bet immediately
If you plan to bet in the prepared flower bed, you can make holes in the mulch and cardboard and plant the plants directly into the soil under the cardboard, or wait a few weeks. With time, cardboard and organic mulch naturally decompose, leaving a rich, fertile soil. It will occasionally need to replenish a layer of mulch to maintain the efficiency against weeds. Otherwise, this method is very effective for the establishment of new beds without deep engraving or for easy adjustment of existing neglected areas, and provides long -term solutions for maintaining a garden without undesirable plants. Take it as soon as possible and this year you can be calm from weeds.