It all started when someone decided to make money selling black plastic to make money and call it weed control. My mom and I got sucked into this web of lies about 16 years ago. We had moved into a new house and ripped up all the overgrown shrubs and backfilled with dirt to make raised beds all the way around the house. To prevent weeds, we laid down the black plastic before we planted anything. Today, they sell Fabric. The claim is it prevents weeds for up to 8 years and the fabric lets water move through to protect the plants water supply.
Let’s talk about this scenario for a minute. Where do weeds come from should be our first question. There are two different types of weeds: Grassy weeds and Broadleaf weeds. We will discuss those in depth in another blog.
The worst grassy weed is Bermuda grass. It grows ANYWHERE! It spreads by runners, and will creep under the fabric and strengthen itself dramatically before it ever pokes its head through a crack in the fabric. By then it is too late to control. Fescue, goosegrass, and nutsedge are other grassy weeds in flower beds.
Let’s talk about your run of the mill weed. This involves chickweed, henbit (the purple flower), dandelion, clover etc. All these guys are seasonal one time growers. They will die in the winter, and reseed in the spring. Which brings me to the point I am trying to make, they reseed themselves. How are seeds transferred? They are transported by wind, dogs, lawnmowers, birds etc. What I mean is, they are airborne.
Ok, here’s my point, Black Fabric that is under the mulch will prevent nothing, because seeds come from the air, germinate on top of the mulch, and root out in your plastic so that it pulls up with the weed and shows through the mulch forever. It allows Bermuda grass to establish a permanent structure within your flower bed that you will never get under control. And, Oh, by the way, it doesn’t drain water!! I poured a cup of water on it in 90 degree weather one day and the water stayed until the job was completed that day.
Needless to say, my mom and I have since pulled up every sliver of plastic and have not used it again. The answer to weeds is using Treflan. I will discuss Treflan in another blog, stay tuned.
#1 by ApplyCreditCards on May 28, 2009 - 3:46 am
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I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.
#2 by Jennifer Milele on June 22, 2009 - 2:13 am
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I wasted many hours and dollars as well.
#3 by Laura Hamm on September 19, 2009 - 12:27 pm
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I am still trying to get it up – That stuff doesn't work and it is hard to remove. I have heard that it is good to put newspaper around plants to prevent problems – Is that true
#4 by KevinPigg on September 19, 2009 - 12:49 pm
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Newspaper will work as a temporary barrier. The whole problem with weeds is the seeds are airborne and drop from overhead. Yes, the fabric is a mess when trying to get rid of it.
#5 by spacecitypaula on September 19, 2009 - 12:46 pm
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Another down side to the black fabric – it doesn't let the soil get new materials in it so you can keep it nutrientionally rich for the plants.
I feel your pain on the bermuda grass. It is a constant in my in my veggie garden. However, I find a good cover of mulch is a much better way of controlling things than any pesticide.
#6 by KevinPigg on September 19, 2009 - 12:51 pm
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In a veggie garden, I completely agree with you.
#7 by Linda Tidwell on April 10, 2010 - 2:17 pm
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I am on board but……….my husband is a believer. He doesn't do the gardening! Now if you have a way of making a non believer in black plastic junk let me know.
#8 by KevinPigg on April 12, 2010 - 11:58 am
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I would say…convince him to do half with and half without!
That way when he wants to pull up the fabric in a year or two, it will only be on half the beds! Make sure and keep the Treflan put out every 3 months on the part without the fabric. Hope you can salvage part of your beds.