On 17/04/20 21:54, Vir Campestris wrote:
We didn't even realise it was there until recently. My guess is that
someone thought it would be a great idea to put down weed control
membrane covered with a few inches of bark mulch.

Fast forward a few years, and the weed control membrane is covered in a
few inches of humus rich soil. And the shrubs planted in it have spotted
this nutrient rich later, then sent roots over the top of the membrane
as well as underneath; in places they have found or made holes and the
roots go through the membrane.

I've been unable to tease away the membrane from the roots of the
shrubs, and don't dare disturb the perennial plants that could be in
holes in the membrane - or just rooted on top.

Ah well, it's been great exercise. About 1sq metre per hour.

Andy

Here it's even worse. There are three borders, each about 10 x 1 metres,
with weedproof membrane covered with a 5 cm layer of 20 - 40mm pebbles.
Many of the pebbles are now interspersed with soil from rotted leaves. I
have planted shrubs in it by removing a 30cm square of pebbles, cutting
both diagonals through the now-exposed membrane, folding back, digging
out whatever depth is required for the shrub, then planting it,
replacing the membrane, and covering with the pebbles. It takes quite a
time.

The biggest problem is the Spanish bluebells which get beneath the
membrane and take ages to dig out. It took over 5 years to clear them,
and yesterday I discovered another half dozen! I will triple-spray them
with glyphosate over a week before attempting removal in a month.

--

Jeff