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Tue, Mar 13, 12 at 22:08
| I'm adding a new bed this year. I know we are late building it for this spring- it will be a raised bed. But, since we are late, should we put cardboard down then pitch the soil/compost on top, or is it too late for cardboard and it won't decompose in time and will eventually block the roots from growing?
Next scenario- how many inches of soil in a raised bed? would that determine whether or not to use cardboard? 12", 18", 24" My reason for cardboard is to smother weeds. I've pulled out several but we have bindweed here and I'm not sure you can ever get rid of it. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by novascapes none (My Page) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 6:54
| I also have bind weed. I think that even after the cardbard rots it will find it's way. I know a 3 inch layer of mulch does not seem to slow it down. I think the seed has a very, very long shelf life. |
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| The cardboard will kill the bindweed that is growing now, but those roots will still be there to grow into new plants, again. It is never too late to put mulch down so lay down your cardboard and cover it unless you are going to put down a fairly thick, 12 or more inch layer of soil, over it. that much soil will do the same thing as the cardboard, deprive any plants trying to grow under from access to sunlight and when plants are deprived of sunlight they die. How deep you make your raised bed depends on what you want to do. Around here there are raised beds anywhere from 6 inches high to 4 feet high. The Chicago Botanical Garden has raised beds with 8 inches of soil that are 4 feet high so people in wheelchairs can access them. |
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