Using cardboard for weed control: what you need to know

Employing cardboard for weed command is an obtainable yet successful way to get back electrical power in excess of your back garden – but what does the course of action entail? Whilst this humble material may perhaps not appear potent initially, it is amid the most impactful approaches to tackle the pesky greenery in your lawn and flower beds.

If you happen to be hunting for how to get rid of weeds devoid of substances, cardboard could be your wanted resolution. Nevertheless, like numerous weed-handle techniques, professionals do urge caution. Thus, in advance of bringing cardboard into your yard concepts, it really is critical to master the finest system from these in the know. This is what they counsel – for a nutrient-abundant, weed-totally free back garden, without the cost.

Can you use cardboard to avert weeds?

‘When scheduling new backyard garden beds, cardboard is vital to weed command,’ suggests John D.Thomas, the operator of Backyard Backyard garden Geek (opens in new tab). Irrespective of whether your lifted garden bed concepts need a new kind of weed regulate or you are battling weeds on your lawn, the cardboard will come in handy.

‘It is thick sufficient to smother weeds, but as opposed to landscape cloth, it’s going to rot about time,’ John states. ‘This means that your crops will be equipped to ultimately pull nutrition from your native soil though helpful bugs these kinds of as earthworms will be equipped to make their way into your backyard beds.’

Applying cardboard for weed handle – what the process will involve

The method is surprisingly straightforward. Fill a huge box with cardboard in advance of inserting the box on top of the weed you want to management and weighing it down with rocks or bricks. ‘Ensure that all sides of the cardboard are lined and that it does not occur into direct get in touch with with soil,’ claims Melody Estes, a landscape layout gardening supervisor and consultant at The Venture Female. (opens in new tab)

Crabgrass growing on a green lawn

(Picture credit rating: Alamy)

Even so, whilst the method is effortless, the expert urges warning. ‘When utilizing this technique, be absolutely sure to place the cardboard meticulously so as not to disturb any other vegetation in your garden,’ she claims.

It is also most powerful when made use of for the duration of the early phases of advancement for weeds like foxtails (also excellent news if you are questioning how to get rid of crabgrass).

How long does cardboard get to decompose in back garden?

Cardboard can choose up to a yr to decompose totally, but it does count on the form you have made use of. ‘The polyethylene utilised in most corrugated cardboard is pretty resistant to decomposition, but a board made from recycled paper tends to split down additional rapidly,’ Melody explains.

The cardboard will crack down in the soil, which is an additional benefit of this approach. Sarah Beaumont, CEO and Articles Director of Indoor Residence Back garden (opens in new tab), points out that, alongside tackling weeds, the damaged-down weeds will provide important nutrition to the soil, creating it ‘the perfect ground for clean crops of your deciding upon.’

Will roots develop by cardboard?

Sure, roots can grow by way of cardboard, but only in selected disorders.

‘Firstly, the cardboard will have to be moist ample to allow the roots to penetrate it. Second, the cardboard ought to be positioned in a position in which there is no light or air circulation,’ Melody states. This must reduce the plant from drying out in advance of it has a opportunity to choose root and start off rising.

And lastly, following a plant has begun expanding via the cardboard, it can help to guidebook it to additional h2o and mild making use of some sort of aid structure. This will assure it would not get far too intertwined with other vegetation when lowering the possibility of pests.

Two dandelions on meadow grassland in spring time

(Impression credit score: GettyImages)

Does damp cardboard rot?

Indeed, damp cardboard will rot. This is since it is a sort of paper product or service that will break down when uncovered to h2o.

‘The drinking water causes the cellulose fibers to swell and independent from each individual other, making them far more susceptible to germs and mold progress,’ Melody points out. ‘The greater moisture written content in the cardboard also aids in these procedures by furnishing a hospitable surroundings for microbes that bring about decomposition.’

Tags: cardboard, Control, weed