Weed membrane or not

Tam_Thumb

I have a small area that i have some small shrubs (hebes & forsythias) and lithodora for ground cover.
Was going to cover with bark chippings but unsure whether to use membrane or not?

Tam_Thumb

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Fire

The forum is split over membrane. I am personally a fan and find it very effective and very long lasting. It's easy to weed out anything that seeds on top. I've used it for small spaces like yours for disabled neighbours who want a pretty front and can't do weeding work and it has worked a treat. Bark will work well over membrane. The chunkier the better - and go for a good depth - more rather than less.

You will still need to look after the area; membrane can't just be left, but I do think it cuts down work remarkably. Try and get out or treat anything like bindweed fully before laying down a media.

philippasmith2

If you have removed all perennial weeds from the border, then weed membrane with a topping of bark can be useful.  
It does depend on the quality of the membrane too - some work better than others.
You just need to be aware that you will inevitably still get weeds growing in the bark tho - lots of airborne seeds about now and the more persistent can easily root thru the membrane which could be difficult to deal with if you don't catch them in time.
I think it's a matter of choice really  

Dovefromabove

Some membranes are more water permeable than others … so make sure you make allowance for watering the plants you have there.  

Tam_Thumb

Dovefromabove said:

Some membranes are more water permeable than others … so make sure you make allowance for watering the plants you have there.  

if i use it, I'd have it so any water from rain will run into the joint and not over it, like if a felt roof had been sheeted wrong

Slow-worm

I don't like it, it makes the soil underneath like concrete, and after a few years the top 'soil' gets thick enough for more weeds.
Horrid stuff.
I'm just er.. balancing the post.. 😄

Hostafan1

I hate it too. 
Fill the space with plants, better for wildlife, you're not coating your soil in plastic and better looking .

Slow-worm

Hostafan1 said:

I hate it too. 
Fill the space with plants, better for wildlife, you're not coating your soil in plastic and better looking .

The stuff I heartily evicted from my garden was like a coarse cloth, it left edge strands everywhere, everything got caught in them!
I cut it into chunks, and used it to line the pallet slow worm penthouse, it's useful now! 
(I don't mean my 'penthouse', I do mean the actual lizards! 😄)

Tam_Thumb

Hostafan1 said:

I hate it too. 
Fill the space with plants, better for wildlife, you're not coating your soil in plastic and better looking .

I am, it's getting filled with Lithdoras, but they're tiny just now (in the background)