North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

   I sometimes wish NAFEX had a light-bulb symbol for bright, new ideas.  I 
think Diane Porter just gave us one.  She mentioned putting cardboard atop 
the soil, under the mulch.  A 6" layer of mulch will prevent annual weeds 
from growing but will do nothing to prevent perennial weeds from coming up; 
her cardboard should accomplish that task.  Is it possible that the 
perennial weeds come up, can't penetrate the cardboard and eventually 
(within a season?) die and rot?
   I have always fallowed my soil for a season, spraying with Round Up, let 
it grow, till, spray again, repeat, etc.  Next time I need to open new 
ground, I'll use Diane's method..................now where can I get enough 
cardboard?

Diane said, "We thought we'd get a truckload of composted cow manure to 
spread thickly on the ground, then cover with cardboard, mulch heavily with 
straw, and plant the raspberries in holes cut though the cardboard."


Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
For jams, jellies, syrups and more:
www.jellygal.com
1-877-265-6856 (Toll Free)
1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)