Hi from Canada

[workhorse_01]

Has anyone used preen? I've been thinking of using it but if it stops new weeds how then does it not effect the plant we want to grow? Will a new seed, lets say a cucumber or pea germinate in soil that's been dosed with preen?

 

[DaveC]

I have just dug the ground where I have put the plants.

 

[istanbulin]

Welcome to the forum Dave.

 

[NZGirl]

For Lakota: tobacco = tabac You were close.

For Amberl: Am I really the only one using a weedmat? My neighbor had the "great" idea of planting bishop's gootweed near my fence. Now it's growing everywere. If I have to water them, I will.

No - not from what I can see. I just wondered how you water through it. I've never used it anywhere but I'm into organics so I kinda like to have weeds etc about to deflect the bugs. I usually don't have to pull too many now - just the ones that will grow too big or suck too much goodness out of the soil. In general I find I get alot of chickweed which is fine

 

[workhorse_01]

Goutweed sure is pretty to be so invasive, I'll trade you some kudzu. LOL

 

[Knucklehead]

No - not from what I can see. I just wondered how you water through it. I've never used it anywhere but I'm into organics so I kinda like to have weeds etc about to deflect the bugs. I usually don't have to pull too many now - just the ones that will grow too big or suck too much goodness out of the soil. In general I find I get alot of chickweed which is fine

The landscape cloth is a woven fabric and it easily lets water pass through. It stops weed growth by blocking sunlight.

 

[johnlee1933]

The landscape cloth is a woven fabric and it easily lets water pass through. It stops weed growth by blocking sunlight.

It can also be non-woven. That is what I use. It is much cheaper but not durable at all. I get one season out of it and turn it under when I pull and burn root balls.

 

[Knucklehead]

It can also be non-woven. That is what I use. It is much cheaper but not durable at all. I get one season out of it and turn it under when I pull and burn root balls.

That brings us back to the lady's question, how does water get through? If it's not woven, what is it's construction?

 

[workhorse_01]

Deluxestogie says it also insulates the ground and holds the cold in stunting the plant. I think if your going to use it chicken's way is best, flip a 5gal bucket upside down and cut the hole the size of the bucket then you don't have to worry how the water gets in, the sun can warm the feeder roots, and probably less chance of disease.

 

[johnlee1933]

That brings us back to the lady's question, how does water get through? If it's not woven, what is it's construction?

It is a light non woven fabric and water penetrates it easily. I got it at Agway for about $12 for 3' X 100'. I'm pretty sure Lowe's and Home Depot have it too.

 

[deluxestogie]

Some are a spun polyester that looks like the texture of a fabric softener sheet for the dryer, only black in color. Ground covers slow the evaporation of soil moisture, allow free penetration of rain, and serve to some extent as an insulator, which might be good or might be bad, depending on the weather. As John points out, they aren't too expensive, but have to be replaced every year or two.

Thorough digging and regular weeding is free.

Bob

 

[johnlee1933]

Some are a spun polyester that looks like the texture of a fabric softener sheet for the dryer, only black in color. Ground covers slow the evaporation of soil moisture, allow free penetration of rain, and serve to some extent as an insulator, which might be good or might be bad, depending on the weather. As John points out, they aren't too expensive, but have to be replaced every year or two.

Thorough digging and regular weeding is free.

Bob

I find the soil is warmer when the sun is out but it is a double edged sword. It radiates the surface heat away faster when there is no sun.

 

[workhorse_01]

Sorry that was Jitterbugdude

Deluxestogie says it also insulates the ground and holds the cold in stunting the plant. I think if your going to use it chicken's way is best, flip a 5gal bucket upside down and cut the hole the size of the bucket then you don't have to worry how the water gets in, the sun can warm the feeder roots, and probably less chance of disease.

 

[Knucklehead]

Sorry that was Jitterbugdude

I think JBD was talking about the mulch he used over his no till plantings. The black fabric actually warms the soil by absorbing the heat from the sun like a black roof does. I cut an X where my plant goes so I can fold the flaps back together and keep as many weeds out as possible. That's the way the professional landscapers do it and the instructions on the package recommend it. Water passes through easily, there's no need to cut large holes for water to pass through. That just makes room for more weeds where you want them the least. The closer the black fabric is to the plant, the warmer it will get the roots in the early season.

 

[DaveC]

I'm using the tarp that was over the wood at the hardware store. It is a woven so it will probably just last this year... but it was free.

 

[Knucklehead]

I'm using the tarp that was over the wood at the hardware store. It is a woven so it will probably just last this year... but it was free.

It looks like it will be a good fabric for what you're using it for. Block the sun from the weeds but still pass water, that's all it needs to do. (and you can't beat that price. lol)

 

[DaveC]

Summer seems to be here for only a few days. I pulled my first sucker today!

 

[Jack in NB]

You're off to a good start, Dave.

About on a par with mine, and you planted later.

You won't believe how much they'll grow in the next month!

 

[DaveC]

Jack: It would be interesting to see how canadian gardeners are doing with their tobacco.

 

[workhorse_01]

You northerners all must have been born with green thumbs and toes. Honestly I don't know how y'all grow anything in the 15 minutes of warmth y'all have.