To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Weed preventative idea
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:56:14 -0800 (PST)
Diane's method is hardly new. Bill Mollison introduced the idea in the 1970s along with the rest of his Permaculture concepts. It doesn't help with nutsedge though as the spikes poke right through the cardboard. Bermuda grass and other creeping grasses will also over run the garden from the sides unless you plant a good barier hedge of lemon grass or even garlic chives.
From: Jim Fruth <jfruth@tds.net> To: NAFEX <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:50:57 AM Subject: [NAFEX] Weed preventative idea
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)
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