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decolady01

Organic weed control

19 years ago

I just got a new gardening catalogue from Lee Valley Tools and in it they are selling a biodegradable weed barrier made mostly from corn products. They say it has been certified for organic production in Norway. I am planting in 4'x8' raised beds this year and this looks like it might work for me. Have any of you used this? If so, is it something you would recommend or not?

Thanks,

Becky

Here is a link that might be useful: biodegradable weed barrier

Comments (6)

  • 19 years ago

    I would not pay any money for a biodegradable weed barrier. Why not? Because newspaper many layers thick or cardboard are also biodegradable weed barriers and they can be scrounged up for free in one's local area.

    If one has more money than inclination to ask for other people's recyclables I can understand, but otherwise just use newspaper and/or cardboard. It does the same thing.

  • 19 years ago

    Newspaper, or cardboard, will do the same thing for much less cost and provide more organic matter to the soil as they are digested.

  • 19 years ago

    Becky, I have to 3rd the above opinions. I am sure you can find better ways to spend your extra money.

    If not, well email me, you can send it postage due, ha.

  • 19 years ago

    I had this same question. For some of us, paper isn't an option. I'm in charge of a rather large bed at church. Keeping it mulched and weed free. The plants are already planted and established, so trying to put paper in between everything is a pain, plus the time issue. I was wondering if anyone has used the Corn Gluten and had success with it. Also, in doing a search spraying with vinegar was another method. Any feedback on these two methods? After I get the weeds killed, I can keep a pretty heavy layer of mulch on top to keep them from coming back.

  • 19 years ago

    Sandykk, if the weeds are deep rooted, then digging is the only sure way to go - just be CERTAIN to get all the root, or resign yourself to more digging for the resprouted plant - eventually it will be weakened and die.

    Vinegar can kill off the top growth - since it isn't systemic, it won't kill off well established roots and may have to be repeated, but eventually the weed will be weakened and die.

    If you decide to spray with vinegar, the ordinary household stuff will work - pickling vinegar, if you can get it, is a little stronger - you don't HAVE to look for the horticultural strength, which at 20-30% is a very strong acid, and should be treated with extreme caution. Mix a little pure soap (NOT detergent) in the sprayer with the straight vinegar, to make it stick to leaves better. Use it on a still, sunny day, when the temperature will be over 65F - the hotter and sunnier the better. Wash it off - AT ONCE - from anything it hits that you want to keep. While it will slightly acidify the soil/mulch it hits, this will wear off in a short time.

    Corn gluten meal will prevent new seeds from sprouting for 4-8 weeks, and then act as a light fertilizer. It will have NO effect on seeds that sprouted earlier nor on established plants. It is only newly sprouted roots that it inhibits. It works best scratched into the soil, although lightly scattered across the surface will also do. Applying it under mulch would also be effective. You can use ordinary corn meal or cracked corn, but the gluten levels are lower so the pre-emergent effect is less - they act more, and sooner, as a fertilizer.

  • 19 years ago

    Thanks Dibbit for your post and answering my questions. I think this might be the way to go for me. If I can get them under control, the mulch will work to keep it that way.
    Sandy