You want a pretty generous (3-4") layer of mulch to help suppress weeds and regulate soil moisture, but it's important to always pull mulch away from the trunks of woody trees and shrubs. Either place large strips of cardboard around your plants or shredded cardboard and make sure to water it after, this way the cardboard will start to decompose a lot faster. Did you know that termite researchers use cardboard feeding stations to lure termites? But there's one area where cardboard is tops compared to every other mulch material tested. Once that is done, simply spread the strips around your soil. Would you think it would have the same appeal to the termites, as cardboard? If some cardboard is still in place when you're ready to plant, you can cut a hole through it and place the new plants into the opening. Archived. (I didn't strip the grass/weeds, just laid the cardboard over them.). Advancing the science of gardening and other stuff since 2009. Over time, the dead weeds and the cardboard biodegrade and feed the soil underneath with organic matter, boosting its nutrient content. Though termites can eat some types of wood, they prefer cardboard in taste testing. Box Cloches and Bug Traps No tilling of the soil is required. I've used it too and I find the cardboard lasts longer than newspaper, and it's easier to work with provided you have a good source. If scientists were infallible at interpreting research theyd always agree. The longer you allow the decomposition process to take place, the better results you will see. If you're in a dry climate or your area is experiencing a drought, water the mulched area about once a week. I shutter to think of all the stuff I have thrown away that I could have been using for weed control. I used pretty thick cardboard, then compost and then woodchips. Yes, roots can grow through cardboard, but only in certain conditions. Cover the cardboard mulch with 1 to 3 inches of finished compost and amendments, such as blood meal and bone meal, which help to add nutrients to the soil. Cardboard mulch under wood chips First, cardboard is a generic term that can refer to many types of manufactured paper. Add 4 - 6" of soil or compost or mulch on top of newspaper/cardboard layers 6. You can even use it to cover up holes that have been made by your dog or other animals. Its also great for composting, as it breaks down the organic material and releases it into your compost heap. Hopefully you wont either. Ive posted about this before, so Im not going to try the patience of our regular readers. If I used 4 it would be 80 yards- probably over 2,000 large wheel barrow trips on uneven terrain (I didnt do the math but at least it would feel like 2,000 trips!). So this comment is only mildly related to your post. "The Garden Professors" Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/GardenProfessors Sometimes I top off with woodchips or other mulch and sometimes I don't. I did 5 layers of it and lapped over all the edges like 6". Its a great way to keep weeds out of your yard. Then add topsoil, coffee, grass clippings, chopped leaves in the fall, and other amendments to get it going. when in fact it may well have been from the newspaper mulch. Just put the cardboard down over the spots of your garden where the weeds are known to live, cover it over with a thick layer of mulch, and leave it alone. Worms love the stuff. Does Mulch Need To Be Replaced Explanation Inside! In published comparison studies, other mulch choices generally outperform cardboard in terms of plant growth, weed control, etc. However, mulch provides conditions termites prefer: it retains . Leave the remaining grass and weeds in the ground and give the plot a thorough watering. Some gardeners use thick layers of cardboard or newspaper mulch beneath other organic mulches to more effectively beat weeds and also build their soil. Oregon State University recommends spraying the cardboard with a garden hose to thoroughly soak the cardboard as you lay each piece. Cardboard is a form of paper that comes from a natural source, trees. Any suggestions for plants that dont get so large? Be certain to maintain a clean and tidy yard and garden space. In addition to rodents, termites have also been observed feeding on woody debris, including leaves, twigs, bark, grass clippings, pine needles and pinecones. 6) Transplant into the bed, spacing plants 4" to 6" apart, depending on . Install the Cardboard You need to place the cardboard under mulch. Something was working over time under that soil. If it gets wet, mold can grow on it, and it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Use plain cardboard, as printer ink can be toxic. Termites LOVE cardboard. Thus, it will break down eventually and release carbon into the soil. Use sticks or something to mark where your rows are. Termites. That Gap Under the Deck: Hide It or Use It! I've never done it and am a little sceptical about it. I used newspapers under the tree and pizza boxes in the other places. My main question though was about the glue in the cardboard. If not why not? Also you may want to set the fruit up on the blossom end so they form nice and round. I've just done it so I can't tell you right now if it's better or not but most say it is. Mulching with cardboard is a fantastic way to start a no-dig garden. 03:06. A cardboard barrier lasts as long as the mulch does. Though that path starts about 20 feet from the house and I have not attracted termites so far, all my raised beds are redwood and I do not want it to be a secondary snack when the cardboard breaks down to nothing before the next spring. Another option is grass you need to mow. Manage Settings If you are mulching more than a few trees or shrubs that starts to require a lot of hauling. Have seen a few references to it online, being used as both a lawn killer (in staggered sheets under mulch or stone for future plantings) and as a soil-building mulch (again under wood chips or new soil). If you're also using manure, spread it in two-inch layers alternated with a one-inch layer of organic material between each one, finishing with a final layer of mulch on top. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Make it wide enough to easily accommodate your seedling. I use newspapers, 8-10 pages to a layer, and overlap very well. It can deprive the soil of oxygen and kill many of the beneficial insects and microbes. When it deteriorates, that mold will then feed on the mulch, which might eventually happen anyway. They will send down more roots at the leaf nodes. pH of a soil is a measure of how acidic or alkaline it is. Ive discussed my dislike of cardboard mulch before: like other sheet mulches it restricts water and gas transfer between the soil and atmosphere. According to Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., of Washington State University, cardboard sheet mulches can be detrimental to a garden, particularly if they are not appropriately maintained. Try appliance vendors for huge boxes. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the most common method is to use a garden trowel to dig a hole in the ground and then cover the hole with the new soil. Another problem is that newspaper/cardboard tends to not break down particularly fast. She is WSUs Extension Urban Horticulturist and a Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. Using cardboard and mulch to kill weeds is inexpensive and easy to do. It's not as simple as that. 5- There are also companies selling landscape fabric that does eventually decompose, I have never tried it as cardboard works fine. Over the freshly weeded area, or right over turf that you have mown short first, simply layer on newspaper thickly, or spread out flattened corrugated cardboard as the weed-smothering underlayment. You can further improve the soil's fertility by layering organic matter, such as compost, leaves, grass clippings or straw, over the cardboard about 6 inches deep, according to the California Native Plant Society. Thirdly, it should not be allowed to dry out. And gardnpondr has a good point about the air in the cardboard helping it break down faster. 1) Area of grass, weeds, soil or whatever. You can get free boxes from most supermarkets, liquor stores, etc. From mulching to landscape design to fertilization and more, we have specialized teams to tackle each task. Ive been composting cardboard for years and find that the worms break it down so fast the termites dont have a chance to get at it (not that I mind them, Ive got nothing for them to infest). Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. Lines are spaced 6 apart and double as a guide for planting transplants in a straight line. Next spring wed start landscaping using mostly native plants with some vegetable plots. And what's your thoughts on cardboard under the mulch / chips as a way to kill off existing weeds. To do this, lay the cardboard on the ground directly over the grass or exposed soil. I am on contract. Deep mulch the whole shebang with dye-free preferably hardwood mulch or a free dump truck load from a local tree trimming service. lol treelover, OR get your packrat DH to packrat you some more cardboard in. And then you can put down your woodchips. She conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets. For established trees the gas exchange issue would probably be of no consequence if you are using cardboard under woodchips in an area much less than the spread of the roots. Mulch can also become a breeding ground for rodents and other vermin. When using mulch in your landscape, there is no need for the use of artificial weed barrier such as plastic or landscape fabric. Hi Linda, could you please update the link for this post? Sheet Mulching: Lawn to Garden Bed in 3 Steps. We've proudly served Southeast Michigan communities for 30+ years, and we are passionate about lawn and garden care. By spring you will have killed the weeds and the grass, and the area will be ready to till. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. You can put a piece of cardboard under the pumpkin fruit to keep the worms and bugs from chewing holes in the bottom. Basically, the more weed barriers you layer on, the fewer unwanted plants you will see poking through. Worms can turn it into high-quality compost that will help your plants grow big and strong. Using Cardboard As A Weed Barrier - BackyardDigs best www.backyarddigs.com. However, when using cardboard as a mulch, it can harm the environment if not handled correctly. But I would expect that it would depend on the weight of the cardboard and the number of layers of newspaper that you're comparing. You can use it as planters, to start a garden path, mulch a prepared bed, start a new bed, and so much more. Watch popular content from the following creators: Lexycon(@lexycon22h), Jessica | Homesteading vlogs(@jessicabertolino_), Jessshimmy(@jessshimmy), Jay(@jaysgardenjournal), Rachel(@justrachelthings), Agriculture At Home(@agathome), Wax and Wane Design(@waxandwanedesign), PlantQueen(@plantqueen1234), New Garden Road . I am here all the time. I'm very concerned I might damage the tree if I start digging around any more and planting things. Should we be concerned about it? Wood mulch requires about four inches to weigh down the cardboard. I have been using cardboard under bark or gorilla hair mulch for my small pathways between raised bed boxes in my backyard. Quora User I have to start an IPM program at the school where I work, and this kind of information would be really helpful. If more than one piece of cardboard is needed to cover the area, overlap the seams by at least 4 inches so weeds don't grow through the seams. Cardboard is relatively biodegradable. Newspaper is the best of these for molding to the contours of the land. m infest nearby structures if you use the material. Does cardboard under mulch attract termites? Any experience with cardboard mulch? It protects you from the sun and wind. The best decomposing life forms thrive in moist soil. Make sure to overlap newspaper or cardboard by at least 6 inches, or even up to a foot. I would hate to kill the tree. 2. Reach out to (586) 756-1145 to set up a landscape maintenance plan for your property. This is a great way to get rid of excess organic matter in your garden. What about newspaper? Most cardboard will disintegrate in 6-12 months, so if you lay it down in early spring, it will be ready for soil cultivation next spring. In fact, it's a non-preferred food source. First planted from seed once soil temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit, watermelon plants need at least 90 days of warm, frost-free weather to produce harvestable melon fruits. If and when substantial research to the contrary is published, my recommendation about cardboard mulch is not going to change. You can mulch with cardboard by making sure to use cardboard that doesn't have any plastic or duct tape on it. In the case of cardboard, its important to keep it clean and dry. Layer cardboard over the marked out area. Cardboard and mulch are effective barriers in stopping the upward growth of unwanted weeds. Cardboard will smother weeds, keep moisture in the soil and is a cheap way to make garden paths. Many more weeds grew back under the tree through the newspapers than the cardboard. Research is subject to interpretation that is not necessary scientific even if the interpretation is done by a scientist. People seem to think that wood chips are termite magnets. The next lot over has a brick house. Sheet mulching with cardboard is an inexpensive way to remove a lawn that does not require chemical application or sheets of plastic. Do you think we could follow this same plan using wood chips (as described in your lawn-killing post)? Easy edging and mulching Gardening , Yard is Hard, Part III: DIY Cardboard Mulching Evan , Old Cardboard Finds a Tentative New Life (or the Mulch , Phatveggie: Square Foot Garden Meets Sheet Mulching , Pin on Organic Lawn & Garden , Snake friendly mulch , DIY John Deere 54 Zero Turn Mulch Plug " DIY METAL . I guess i'll find out soon. Has photos and everything. It also helps to put a few sticks or stones around the edges to keep the newspaper in place. Anaerobic microbes, like those that cause root rots, thrive under these conditions.). Overlap the newspaper on the edges at the end, making sure that there will be no gaps in-between the sheets of paper Use garden staples to keep the newspaper down if you'd like (optional) Lay paper down just up to the root system of plants in the garden. Im not sure whats going on now, but all those wonderful nutrients being uploaded into all those trees and shrubs. It breaks down over time.