Has anyone tried this compostable weed barrier?

16 years ago

Hi all:

I'm wondering if anyone has tried this product from Lee Valley. It looks great, but I would love to hear from anyone who has actually used it. I'd like to try it as a mulch on top of my vegetable bed this year.

Thanks,

Emmie

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley compostable weed barrier

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Comments (6)

Kimmsr
16 years ago
A pretty expensive substitute for newspaper.
kqcrna
16 years ago
I agree. I can't see where it would have any advantage over free newspaper or cardboard. And it says it rots in 2 months, whereas paper or cardboard probably will last longer, at least through the growing season and the fall.

Karen
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shellva
16 years ago
I wish I could give you a solid yes or no answer to whether the compostable weed barrier works but I can't. I've never used it.

However, my line of thinking is that since I have access to free paper products, and other organic mulching materials such as pine needles and straw, I'd rather spend my money on other more useful things for the garden. But that's just me:)
paulns
16 years ago
I gave in and bought some this winter, after disappointing customers last summer, again, waiting for tomatoes that were taking a long, long time to ripen. I'm going to use it to warm up the soil for a few weeks before planting tomatoes and eggplants. Would newspaper and cardboard do the same job? I was glad to find something that's like a plastic mulch but biodegradable.
gardenlen
16 years ago
have never heard of it over here but i would never buy it while newspaper is available free.

and as for warming the soils why not use a green type spoilt hay mulch it not only warms the soil it retains moisture and it breaks down adding nutrients to the soil.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page
renais
16 years ago
I see this kind of material being used on commercial farm fields fairly frequently. I believe the big advantage is that it can be laid down over large areas in a fairly short period of time using newspaper, or smaller pieces of material would massively increase the labor involved. The labor may not be significant for a home gardener, but it could kill the commercial farmer's profits. I must say that fields covered with this kind of material really do have the weeds under control. Over acres of field, you will see practically no weeds. Since I see the same farmers use the material over the years, I assume they feel the costs are worth it. I have also noticed that it is quite easily plowed into the field at the end of the season.
Renais

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Has anyone tried this compostable weed barrier?

Comments (6)

Kimmsr

kqcrna

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