jyoutz
Super Star Member
I have seen paper weed barrier that can be tilled in, but have never used it.
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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
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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.
DJ54
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Got a row of Beets in today. (vile weed...) I don't care for them but grow them for friends who have some very poor soil.
Used my trusty Beet seed drop tube, you can't see them, but it has 2 spikes on the bottom so it will stand on its own. Jamming it in the ground that far you can drop a seed, pull it out and dirt will cover the seed. I space them around 5" apart, makes it easy to run my 3" scuffle hoe in between them.
Found out the hard way Deer love Beet tops too. Did a little research and found Deer do not like the scent of peppermint, so got a qt. of peppermint extract from a wholesaler, mixed 3 tbs. per gallon of water then sprayed the tops. Deer never touched them. Pics below are some after spraying them ready to harvest. I usually spray them again after a decent rain but you can still slightly smell the peppermint. Better safe than sorry.
Used my trusty Beet seed drop tube, you can't see them, but it has 2 spikes on the bottom so it will stand on its own. Jamming it in the ground that far you can drop a seed, pull it out and dirt will cover the seed. I space them around 5" apart, makes it easy to run my 3" scuffle hoe in between them.
Found out the hard way Deer love Beet tops too. Did a little research and found Deer do not like the scent of peppermint, so got a qt. of peppermint extract from a wholesaler, mixed 3 tbs. per gallon of water then sprayed the tops. Deer never touched them. Pics below are some after spraying them ready to harvest. I usually spray them again after a decent rain but you can still slightly smell the peppermint. Better safe than sorry.
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MossRoad
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When I worked at the newspaper, we'd take the cardboard circles off the ends of the paper rolls. They are almost 4' in diameter with a 4" hole in the center. Just make a slit to the hole so you could slip it around a plant or young tree and good for weeds for a year.
Alas, that is no more.
MossRoad
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We had two white mulberry trees in our back yard for 30 years. I didn't notice a grape vine last year and it killed them both.
For some reason, the birds don't eat them and no mulberry poop on the cars.
MossRoad
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White Mulberry Info: Tips On Caring For White Mulberry Trees
If you're not put off by their messy fruit, there are many types of mulberries to choose from for the landscape. This article will cover white mulberry trees, which may be fruiting or fruitless. Click here for more information on white mulberry care in the garden.
www.gardeningknowhow.com
jyoutz
Super Star Member
A grape vine girdled them???!We had two white mulberry trees in our back yard for 30 years. I didn't notice a grape vine last year and it killed them both.
For some reason, the birds don't eat them and no mulberry poop on the cars.
MossRoad
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Wild grape vine 2" in diameter crept up into the trees and choked them out. This is at the edge of a woods behind our house. I didn't get back there much last year.
On the bright side, it opened up some sun for a paw paw tree.
Torvy
Super Member
I could see that. We have a bunch of native muscadines. The older ones have thick vines, though the wisteria is a bigger problem that way.
Mulberry tastes good. Similar flavor to blackberries to me, but I don't have a refined palate.
They can be messy. Our 1st house in Vegas had a fruiting mulberry and the birds would eat them and then poop purple stains on everything.
Torvy
Super Member
White mulberry is invasive and is out competing the native red mulberry through hybridization.We had two white mulberry trees in our back yard for 30 years. I didn't notice a grape vine last year and it killed them both.
For some reason, the birds don't eat them and no mulberry poop on the cars.
MossRoad
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They are too sweet for me. My mom made a mulberry pie when I was a kid and even I, known for my sweet tooth, could not eat it.
But I do enjoy mowing the lawn and gabbing a few on each pass around the yard.
But I do enjoy mowing the lawn and gabbing a few on each pass around the yard.
MossRoad
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Interesting. They are pretty rare around here.
There are a few well known places around town where the road is stained from prolific red mulberries for months. For some reason, those trees seem to produce all summer.
HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
The thing I like about Mulberry is their seeds are smaller and less abundant. A bit different flavor but just as nice. But they sure can be a pain to pick. I like your bed sheet idea.
