Polythene plastic sheeting - advice on thickness

Nick Gurney 250

I am looking to get some Polythene plastic sheeting to cover all the garden, recently tilled, some areas will be herbaceous borders, some veg patch.

Some to be allium patch for planting now.

Does anyone have any experience of what the various gauges 250 500 750 1000 equate to?

A very large area to cover so cost is a factor.

steephill

1000 guage is 250 microns (0.25mm) thick. That guage and thicker is used as builders damp proof membrane.

Loxley

Do you really need to cover the garden with the stuff? Is it about weed control? There are cheaper ways.

Skandi

You want something that is UV stable as well I use silage plastic the oldest pieces I have are now 4 years old and while they have a few holes in them (cats!) they still do the job. anywhere from 150 to 200 microns will do what you want, the thicker it is the heavier it is. we buy it in rolls that are 12m wide by 50m long they weigh over 100kg and are unwieldy so think how you are going to move it around before it is delivered! Or wedged in the back of the car as we did.

Dovefromabove

I’m not clear what you intend to use the plastic for?

Is this intended as a temporary measure over winter or are you thinking of installing it as a permanent weed suppressant?

Nick Gurney 250

steephill said:

1000 guage is 250 microns (0.25mm) thick. That guage and thicker is used as builders damp proof membrane.

It is just for over winter in the main - but alliums through to harvest.

Skandi

You need a different type of fabric for growing in, something that will let water through, read the descriptions carefully a lot of the cheap ones are not UV stable and need to be under mulch or they will breakdown faster than your onions grow.