Using plastic container as barrier
Late Sound
9 years ago
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Comments (11)
Late Sound
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Fabric vs plastic mesh vs hard plastic containers
Comments (1)If I use a plastic pot with holes, I put a mesh liner to hold regular dirt. I also put a fertilizer tablet in at the bottom. Mesh would be like a used blanket cut into pieces and fabric like that....See MoreCan you use a plastic child's pool for containment?
Comments (9)It may be possible to contain them at least until the pool cracks as plastic doesn't last forever. If you want a big bamboo, but don't want the ones that run rampantly, an very simple solution is to plant the least aggressive running bamboo that you can find that is still hardy enough to grow. Some species simply don't spread more than a few inches each year, and partial shade can further help to hinder their growth. In the northeast, some running bamboos can spread up close to 10ft a year while others typically run less than 1ft. I never use barriers, but I've been getting rid of species that run rampantly. Here's an example of one of my bamboos that has made it up to 15ft tall, but still hasn't spread much. I haven't done any rhizome pruning either. Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of my 4 year old phyllostachys dulcis- note their may be different cultivators of this...See MorePlastic ground cover or weed barrier
Comments (3)I strongly advise against plastic mulches or weed barrier type products. It sounds like a good thing that they don't break down (don't need replacing, right?) but their biggest drawback is that they don't break down. They get torn, shredded, but they never go away. And, they absolutely do not stop weeds, at least not the toughest ones. Stuff like nut grass will break right through it and come on up. And then, when you realize you made a mistake and try to take it out of the garden it is an absolute bear to get up! No! No! No! There are all kinds of organic materials that make great mulch: pine straw, newspaper, cardboard, grass clippings, chopped leaves, compost. They all have their plusses and minusses, but in general, they are all good. The secret is to clear your soil of weeds that are already growing and then put down a good thick mulch cover. You will have to replenish the mulch at least once a year, more often if you go to digging around in it. But it is more than worth the trouble. These mulches will break down and feed your soil, they will reduce your need for watering, protect your plants from extreme heat, AND control the vast majority of weeds. Do know, that they will not prevent ALL weeds. There will always be the need to do a bit of hand weeding, but that's all: just a bit. Make it a habit to not allow any weed to go to seed ever. You will eventually get it under control....See MoreUse of plastic as a weed barrier
Comments (9)I vote for the fabrics over the pre-emergents as at least you can eventually get rid of the fabric and you will probably only have to buy it once. THe weeds that do sprout are very easy to pull up and it would be a good task for the kidlets. We keep finding chemical companies are hiding all kinds of stuff from us or just finding out that some of what we once thought to be safe are not...I vote for chemical free whenever possible due to this. I used to work in the Plant Nursery industry and we used a heavy duty woven fabric that I know if you look you should be able to find somewhere. I would look at horticultural supply houses (wholesale) first but if I were doing what you are. This heavy duty stuff lasts a lifetime. Nurseries use is under crushed rock in fields where they have thier container plants and in driveways, so your application would be great. It does let air and water through but not weeds which is always best for the soils and the critters that keep our soils healthy. I wouldn't even be too ashamed to ask a local nursery if they have extra on hand you could buy off them if you cannot find anyone to sell it to you otherwise....See Morekudzu9
9 years agoLate Sound
9 years agokudzu9
9 years agosteiconi
9 years agoLate Sound
9 years agokudzu9
9 years agoLate Sound
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAaron Gilbert
9 years agokudzu9
9 years ago
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