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Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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Posted by dirtslinger2 6 (My Page) on Thu, Feb 2, 12 at 22:29
I've noticed veggie gardens with a black, water permeable/porous fabric covering them- where the gardener cuts little holes for their seedlings to pop in to.
I have big weed-issues and this could really help me out.
Any idea what to use? It didn't seem to be basic landscape fabric.
My garden is 20' x 50' aprox so I'd need a lot!
Thanks for any tips.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| Some weedcloth looks sort of like thin felt, and another kind looks like it is woven out of strands of black plastic. I've seen both at HD and Lowe's. You can get it in 50 foot rolls. You might want to cover your garden area in the off-season to try to kill the weeds. Otherwise, they can be a constant problem. I've had very few weed problems using raised beds. |
Here is a link that might be useful: What's Growing On?
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| There are many products available depending on what you are trying to achieve. I favor the biodegradable fabrics and papers, of which there are several, to plastic ones, but durability must be a part of the equation for most people, so plastics remain popular. You can find it in rolls in the gardening section at most big box hardware stores and garden centers, I like FEDCO because they're an independent Maine co-op that tries to keep prices low and focuses on ecologically responsible products. You can, however occasionally find a good buy at fabric remnant stores, and carpeting stores often have rolls of old carpet or underlayment that has been removed when new is installed that they will gladly give you. Carpeting is not always ideal - it may be treated with flame retardant, rubberized, or peed on - but for serious weed suppression it is very effective and affordable. Just be sure to remove it, or any plastic, before it begins to break down. Also, many of the big box stores have rolls available at reduced prices in fall and winter; for people with large areas to cover and a little storage space, it makes sense to stock up. Larger agricultural suppliers actually offer rolls as wide as 40', which makes covering large areas much easier (with a few extra bodies to help) and reduces the number of pins needed to hold it in place. In addition to weed suppression fabrics help to conserve moisture and wrm the soil. In some cases, you may need to add a light colored mulch on top of the fabric for crops that prefer a cooler environment, and for aesthetic reasons you may want to top it with a more natural looking mulch as well, With plastic-based mulches, covering has the added benefit of educing he damage done by the suns' UV rays, thus prolonging its useful life. Aside from looks and the whole plastic problem, fabric ground covers can also be a haven for unwanted guests - snakes (which I actually welcome, though many gardeners don't) and rodents in particular. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Garden fabric
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| For my big garden projects I order from the commercial-type catalogs. My two favorite suppliers right now are Gemplers (leans towards horticultural, and I like their occasional $1 shipping sales) and Growers Supply (more towards agricultural, and I wait impatiently for their infrequent 10% off sales). Either will have a nice assortment of landscape fabrics. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Gemplers landscape fabrics
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| I use commercial grade weed fabrics. It typically lasts 5 growing seasons in my climate. See the Lumite at the link below. A roll 15 feet wide by 300 feet long runs about $1.50 per foot delivered. DarJones |
Here is a link that might be useful: shaw fabrics
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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- Posted by bart1 6/7 Northern VA (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 9:24
| I'll second Dar Jone's vote for Lumite from Shaw. I bought some a few years ago (probably on her suggestion back then!), and it's been great. I use the the 3 foot wide rolls for my tomatoes (a 3 foot strip on the outside, then a row of tomatoes, then another 3 foot wide strip in the middle, then another row of tomatoes, then a third 3 food wide strip on the other side). I also use the 10 foot wide stips for my melons and pumpkins (I lay out two rows of the 10 foot wide strips and plant melons down the middle between the two.) They work great and last a long time....much longer than the landscaping fabric or plastic rolls that you buy at garden centers. It's not cheap, especially with shipping costs, but it's worth it! |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| i use the lumite as well. |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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I also use the Lumite product and highly recommend it over
the flimsy stuff at the big box stores. If you'll shop around, you'll probably find a local retailer that carries it, and you won't have to pay shipping costs. I use
the 4 ft. wide fabric for my melons. I plant in between
the rows,and it reduced my weed problem almost entirely.
This is my 4th year using the same fabric. You can also find the metal pins to secure from a local supplier. I bought a box of 1000 for under $30, with no shipping
charges. I take up the fabric every year, til the garden, and then put it back down. One of the smartest things I've ever done for my garden. |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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| Just as another economical aside, wire clothes hangers and the thicker wire supports commonly used for roadside political ads can make excellent anchoring pins for very little money and effort. Some people also use lumber, tree trunks or metal weights to anchor the fabric, often in combination with pins, which can facilitate removal. |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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- Posted by glib 5.5 (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 14:42
| I have used old carpet with great success in the aisles of my garden, to the point where I now keep a store of old carpet in my garage attic. When choosing a fabric, there are other issues to consider. Plastic, for example, will warm the soil and air faster than breathable. The plant will still get water if you drill holes in the plastic while still on the roll. |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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- Posted by bart1 6/7 Northern VA (My Page) on
Fri, Feb 3, 12 at 16:19
| Oh yeah, if you do get the Lumite, cut it with a blow torch, not a knife. The torch will cut and melt the edges so the weave doesn't come unwoven |
RE: Water permeable fabric for the veggie patch- any suggestions?
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Lumite- great idea!!
I just read all about it, sounds perfect.
Thanks! |
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