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Weed suppression

GrajeanGrajean Posts: 429
in Problem solving
I have a large quantity of broken slates, if I used these as a weed suppression would my spring bulbs still be able to grow through or should I wait until they have flowered and dig them up?
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  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I don't think your bulbs will find it easy to push through broken slates if you use enough to beat the weeds. Is it a very large area? I don't find weed seedlings much of a problem, I just fork round my proper plants to discourage them.
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,580
    I have been considering purchasing a bag of broken slates for weed suppression as I had noticed my SIL had used them in his garden but I wouldn't consider putting them where I know bulbs will be pushing through. Don't think they would stand a chance.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Something softer like wood chip/bark or mulch would allow the bulbs to push their way through and still deter most weeds from taking up residence in your flower beds Grajean.We use wood chip and any weeds that do come through are weak and easy to remove.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,164
    edited January 2019
    Wood chip is much better ... what with worm and birds activity the slate chippings soon get incorporated into the soil and then you’ve just got slatey soil ... and how do you mulch with organic matter to improve and feed your beds with slate on top?... the soil below just gets stale and tired below the chippings.
    And you have to  bend down or kneel to remove every weedseedling by hand whereas with woodchip you can still stand up and use a hoe.  Believe me there will still be weeds even with slate chippings. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,580
    @Dovefromabove. You have changed my mind! Makes sense so will use wood chip  :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,164
    You won’t regret it  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,580
    Many thanks  :)
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    We can get wood chip for free here if we ask around - lumberjacks or tree surgeons often need to be rid of the twigs or small branches which can easily be shredded for the cost of hiring a shredder for a few hours, or they may do the shredding for you for a small cash exchange.  If not they may deliver a few bags to you - it really depends how much you need to use. Our G.C. sell bagged wood chips too. 
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,580
    I think they are a reasonable price at B@Q so may give it a go with one to start off with. Would save a lot of heartache if I could suppress the weeds but then again I do find weeding therapeutic but very time consuming as I pick them out one by one...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,164
    Stir the mulch up frequently with a hoe and you’ll get most of them while they’re still tiny seedlings.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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