"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
ups.com...

George.com wrote:
"Someone Here" wrote in message
. uk...

"Mr Big" wrote in message
...
Anybody any thoughts on the pros and cons of using carpet as against
weed membrane.

I am looking at buying 'new' but very cheap carpet with no foam
backing, as offcuts 12ft x 12ft are quite cheap ???

In no particular order:

Cost - Old carpet is free. Weed proof membrane is not.

When carpet rots the coloured fibres will lie everywhere.

go to a carpet retailer or layer and see if they have any old hessian
type
underlay (looks a little like firbeglass insulation). It will keep weeds
down and will rot away in time. It does the job well enough and you can
get
it free. The firm will have to pay to chuck it so you will be doing them
a
favour.

I think we need a clear idea of what the barrier layer is intended to
do. If it's a temporary measure intended to kill off a particular
infestation, and which will be taken away after a few months or a year,
carpet could do it, though not as well as impervious stout black
plastic. I've done it with black poly, and indeed cardboard, and it
worked OK. George's suggestion of old felt underlay is a good one:
nasty to work with in dry weather, of course, as it'll be full of dust
-- you need to be sure it's totally light-proof, though.

If it's meant to be permanent, well, I have my doubts about all these
measures.

thats the stuff, felt underlay. It has the advantage of rotting away slowly
but providing several years weed suppression without leaving bothersome bits
behind. I use it in my garden as both a weed suppressor on fallow beds and
over compost to keep the weather off. If it is to be used over an existing
bed and then covered with a compost to plant into, it will work well for
some years. The underlay can also be slit and shrubs etc planted in to the
soil underneath. The same goes if laying over an existing bed and planting
through it. The underlay may not look too nice however neithe does old
carpet or black weed membrane for my money. Some type of mulch can be put
over the top to hide it. The bonus is thats its free.

rob