jyoutz
Super Star Member
I have seen paper weed barrier that can be tilled in, but have never used it.
2026 Gardens!
- Thread starter CloverKnollFarms
- Start date
- Views: 6737
CH4Ohio
Veteran Member
Me either. The stuff I've used is like a synthetic felt . . .
fatjay
Elite Member
I figured that was the case.
I saw a method on the internet that I don't know if it works. Till everything under, then put a black tarp for 3 weeks. That promotes seeds sprouting, but they can't get any sun, and die. After 3 weeks, remove tarp, and till again, and you'll have a weed free garden.
It sounds like it makes sense in theory.
jyoutz
Super Star Member
That does work IF you don’t till the ground again before planting. Because tilling brings deeper buried weed seeds to the surface.
fatjay
Elite Member
Got it, that makes sense.
DJ54
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,694
- Location
- Carroll, Ohio
- Tractor
- IH Farmall 656 gas/ IH 240 Utility/ 2, Super C Farmalls/ 2, Farmall A's/ Farmall BN/McCormick-Deering OS-6/McCormick-Deering O-4/ '36 Farmall F-12/ 480 Case hoe. '65 Ford 2000 3 cyl., 4 spd. w/3 spd Aux. Trans
If you have even seen or used the organic Preen you can have your own made for a whole lot less if you have a feed mill close that grinds cattle feed and stock corn gluten pellets. If you read the front label in the lower lefthand corner where it lists the ingredients, it states 100% corn gluten.
Last time I bought the pellets they were around $210.00 per ton. I had them run 500 lbs. through their hammer mill into meal for around $50 + 5 for a grinding fee. Took my own feed bags because they used to charge $1.00 ea.
Applied it per the Preen instructions, like 1 oz. per sq. ft. after all plants had established roots, then stirred it in the top 1-1/2" or so. It's best to do it ahead of a nice rain.
What it does is allows weed seed to germinate but stops them from growing roots so they can't absorb water or nutrients and die. It will keep 99% of any weeds from growing, I only had 2 kinds come up but were sparse. Purslane is one that is not affected by it, can't really remember the other one but may have been Jimson Weed.
You'll probably get a funky little mold on the surface of the soil, but it will keep weeds at bay for 6-8 weeks. I would advise using what you had ground as I had extra and thought I'd give it a second treatment later. I stored it in trash cans with a lid to keep the mice out, but it molded somewhere along the line.
I don't use it anymore since using the leaves for mulch, but it did work great when I did use it. You just don't want to disturb the surface much, just how out any weed that may come up, or just pull them.
Last time I bought the pellets they were around $210.00 per ton. I had them run 500 lbs. through their hammer mill into meal for around $50 + 5 for a grinding fee. Took my own feed bags because they used to charge $1.00 ea.
Applied it per the Preen instructions, like 1 oz. per sq. ft. after all plants had established roots, then stirred it in the top 1-1/2" or so. It's best to do it ahead of a nice rain.
What it does is allows weed seed to germinate but stops them from growing roots so they can't absorb water or nutrients and die. It will keep 99% of any weeds from growing, I only had 2 kinds come up but were sparse. Purslane is one that is not affected by it, can't really remember the other one but may have been Jimson Weed.
You'll probably get a funky little mold on the surface of the soil, but it will keep weeds at bay for 6-8 weeks. I would advise using what you had ground as I had extra and thought I'd give it a second treatment later. I stored it in trash cans with a lid to keep the mice out, but it molded somewhere along the line.
I don't use it anymore since using the leaves for mulch, but it did work great when I did use it. You just don't want to disturb the surface much, just how out any weed that may come up, or just pull them.
