How can I keep the area under my raised flower bed neat and weed-free?
by
Nancels
+14
Due to my inability to bend or stoop for any length of time, I was delighted to find an easy-to-assemble raised flower bed that stands on legs. However, much as my flowers look great, the area underneath (where my flowers used to grow) is unsightly, covered with weeds and tall grass. I live in an apartment complex, but maintenance does nothing to help because the flower beds are the tenants' responsibility. Any suggestions?
have you thought of laying down black plastic, then covering with mulch, small pea rocks, or river rocks. Either of these would be a nice contrast under the gardens
Spray them with vinegar to kill the weeds, when dead, then rake up. Then it is up to you what you want to do next. I would put down pavers, but not your propety and sounds like the landlord is not interested in maintaining his or her own property. I think it is odd to have the tenants in an apartment building responsible for landscaping - hope you are receiving cheap rent in return.
Can you use a weed wacker (That is what my yard looks like and I can still weed wack) OR buy yourself some electric garden sissors ......battery operated and then get on your knees and cut the weeds off. Or in the spring, lay down some black landscaping paper under the box and to the sidewalk. Then cover the paper with white rock or mulch or something to cover up the black paper. Weeds can't come through the black landscaping paper.
Put a tarp under the raised bed. The weeds grow because they get water. Block the water and no weeds. Where did you get the raised bed? I have been looking for one as I am handicapped and cannot bend down.
smother them out with newspapers and cardboard then apply hey landscape fabric and mulch. Do not use any chemicals or vinegar.
I'd put landscape fabric under there to kill all the growth.
My answer was the same as Claire's.
I use contractor badge cut them open, lay flat and put black mulch on top. Every spring I add more mulch.
I feel like we all sat down with tea and discussed this and you all were just brilliant. I'll send a picture when it's done. Thank you all and happy gardening!