Asked on Aug 18, 2014
Can't control weeds and grass
by
Terri
+10
Need some help here in NE PA, please! Several years ago I put in a garden. First I dug up and removed all grass and weeds from the garden area, then planted flowers. Between the flowers I laid down garden cloth or black plastic, which I covered with layers of old newspaper and magazines, then finished with a thick layer of mulch. But every year I get tons of weeds! Then actually start to grow in the mulch, then send roots down through the newspaper AND the garden cloth. They even break through the black plastic and root into the ground. SO now when I pull them up, all of the mulch, newspaper, and cloth/plastic comes up too. Can't keep up with this. Any ideas??
8 answers
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Might be the mulch itself. Some cheap brands and especially free mulch say from a city clean up mound may and will, respectively, have weed seeds. If you start over, remove weeds from soil. I use a garden spade fork to loosen the soil and get deep down so weeds and most important, the roots can be removed easily. Use Preen or another weed control safe for gardens. Use your underlayment, but use a good mulch that specifically states weed free. Will cost more but save you from redoing it less often. You may still get a few weeds around the plants themselves but pull them and the root asap. Remember though the plants need to breathe. Do not pack around them too much. I would use less underlayment also. Good luck.
Kathy T.
on Aug 18, 2014
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I think you have to put a deeper supply of mulch, like at least 6-8 inches and you could put cardboard instead of newspaper. Or you could try growing indoors: http://www.indoorgardeninghelp.com
Jesse Smith
on Aug 18, 2014
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This is exactly why I do not recommend landscape cloth in an area where things are planted. I'm also not sure why newspaper placed down several years ago has not broken down, which it certainly should have. The depth of your mulch could be an issue. It should be 2 to 3 inches for small to medium pieces, and no more than 4 for larger chunks.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 18, 2014
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I use "Preen" pre-immergent. I don't like using chemicals but sometimes we have to compromise.
Darlene Larson
on Aug 18, 2014
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Fortunately I have pine trees so plenty of pine needles for mulch over black plastic. You don't say what kind of mulch you use. That can make a difference. Apparently the mulch is a good seed bed for the weeds. Try reducing the amount of mulch.
MJ
on Aug 19, 2014
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I put down cardboard, then several layers of newspaper followed by a good quality landscape cloth bought at a local reliable nursery and finally, bark chips; that worked. Years ago I bought some cheaper landscape cloth that was worthless. One way to test it is to see how much light comes thro' it as plants (weeds and their seeds) need light. I use bark chunks as I had an infestation of earwigs in my mulch for several years plus the mulch breaks down causing a constant need for replacement. I too found that as the mulch breaks down it provides an excellent loam for the weeds!
Linda
on Aug 19, 2014
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Yes Terri, gardening is a lot of work but it keeps us fit! lol
Linda
on Aug 25, 2014
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@Terri, a "weed barrier" (or "weed fabric" or "landscape fabric/cloth") should be sufficient if it's installed properly. In our experience, the most effective method is to (1) excavate the entire area of your garden six inches below grade, (2) cover the bottom and the wall of the excavated area with landscape fabric with two to three inches of fabric overlap, (3) fasten the fabric with sod staples every six inches along the overlaps, (4) reimport the excavated soil, and then (5) replant the flowers.
Global Syn-Turf
on Feb 04, 2015
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