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Cardboard

Cumbrian DiggerCumbrian Digger Posts: 9
in Tools and techniques

I've got a load of cardboard (house move) and this years supply of muck on its way to my new allotment plot. About half of the plot is currently under black plastic and likely to stay that way for the first year as I know my limitations. The muck is pretty fresh. Can I put down the cardboard on grassy/weedy areas and put the muck on top? The theory is that by autumn or next spring, the cardboard and manure will be rotted enough for cultivation and the weeds below will be dead. Any thoughts?

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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,041

    Sounds ok to me

    Devon.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 7,877
    Certainly sounds like a plan to me CD - but I've never done it. Hopefully somebody else will be able to give you a definite thumbs up or highlight any potential problems.

    Congratulations on the house move image
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,041

    as the muck is fresh, you might well get weeds coming through, just keep pulling them up and start a compost bin.

    Devon.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,877
    Sounds good.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,266

    Cardboard, muck, more cardboard. Its called the lasagne method. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/26/alys-fowler-lasagne-gardening

    Being mean I have only used one layer of cardboard (no muck) and it all blew away over winter so the weeds are free to rampage across the Blessed Plot without so much as a by your leave.

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    CD if the seeds don't get any light they should die offimage
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,169

    Be worth giving the cardboard a really good soaking before you lay the muck on top, it will breakdown quicker.

    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • Cumbrian DiggerCumbrian Digger Posts: 9

    Will do that Bee, but to be honest around here the next downpour is never very far away!

  • Lowey72Lowey72 Posts: 7
    I put large sheets of cardboard on my allotment and within a couple of weeks with rain they were about rotten. However I would have thought if you are then going to cover with muck while still dry then this will be a good long lasting weed control.

    Not sure how long it will take the cardboard to break down though and for the muck to actually start doing its job with the soil underneath.

    I guess if you are going to leave for several months then should be ok.

    Maybe throw some water on it occasionally if the weather is hot and dry?
  • GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 312

    It is a good idea and should help. Especially for no-dig gardening. Look up Charles Dowding here

    http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/no-dig-growing/no-dig-growing-preparation/ 

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