On 13/02/2014 13:23, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:28:22 +0000, Derek Turner wrote:

On Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:19:26 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

So is it O.K. to cover waterlogged ground with plastic (assuming it
will stay there in all these winds) or is it likely to do more harm
than good.

Should be fine provided the soil is reasonably well-drained. You need to
think about where the water that runs off the plastic is going to go
though! Lots or rain still to come before planting/sowing time, I guess.
Old carpet might be better as it is heavier (less likely to blow away)
and water-permeable. Carpet firms are usually delighted to let you take
it as they have to pay to dispose of it.

Very strong warnings against old carpet because of the chemicals which
leach out into the soil.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/...?topic=75757.0

is one example of the discussion.

People do get overly wound up about "chemicals".

Compared to the chemicals in old railway sleepers and CCA tanallised
wood I'd say that the chemicals in carpet were largely benign. I don't
like the look of old carpet on allotments but it keeps the weeds down.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown