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nafex - [NAFEX] cardboard/weed barriers

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  • From: "Mark and Alisha Fehringer" <markandalishafehringer@peetzplace.com>
  • To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] cardboard/weed barriers
  • Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:03:46 -0700

Another source of large cardboard sheets may be lumber yards and cabinet shops.  Hardwood veneered plywoods often come wrapped with a 4'x8' sheet of cardboard top and bottom to protect the veneer.
 
"I think you probably would have a problem keeping an already too wet 
soil wetter even longer if you cover it with cardboard or any other 
mulch (except in a dry year, of course, as you mentioned)."
 
Would mulching, and the resulting increase in organic matter, improved soil structure and earthworm activity help to allow a wetter soil to drain?
 
I have never used newspaper and the like for mulch as it is so windy here it would be impossible to maintain sanity while trying to lay sheets of paper on the ground and expect them to stay where wanted.
 
Plastic weed barrier fabric is the product of choice for establishing tree windbreaks in the arid Great Plains.  Its ability to funnel water towards the young plants allows a tiny rain to give each plant several gallons of water, whereas on a natural mulch or clean cultivation, the light rains will not penetrate deep enough to be of use to the plant.
 
Mark Fehringer
Northeast Colorado
4500" elevation  12" rain last year



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