Weed control

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mass_burner

mass_burner

Minister of Fire
Sep 24, 2013
2,645
SE Mass
Is there any material that I can cover my plots with when fallow? I know mulch works, but I have 4 8x4 plots and that gets expensive. I rather invest in a reusable. I thought of making 8x4 frames with triple ply yard fabric.

Any other ideas?
 
I've used old metal barn roofing as I have a lot of it, but it will heat up the ground and you may find things like snakes living underneath it after a while.
 
We can get tons of free cardboard from the local foodbank. It works well for cover and can be tilled into the soil (or lasagna layered) in the spring. Otherwise straw works quite well or grow a covercrop like rye, red clover, buckwheat, etc..
 
I wouldn't put store bought wood/bark mulch on a veggie garden as it often sucks out what little N is left while decomposing. Plus some of it has been treated with insecticides for termites and herbicides for weed suppression.

A cover crop that will die in Dec and slowly decompose by Spring. A thin layer of chewed up Fall leaves. (chewed up just enough so the wind doesn't blow them away. Some cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, maybe kale will over-Winter sometimes with a mild Winter.
 
Last edited:
Good suggestion for the leaf mulch. I mow up a lot of leaves with our bagging lawn tractor with a jumbo leaf bag attached, then cover beds with the leaf mulch. Worms love it.
 
begreen said:
Good suggestion for the leaf mulch. I mow up a lot of leaves with our bagging lawn tractor with a jumbo leaf bag attached, then cover beds with the leaf mulch. Worms love it.
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Yes, I usually cover with mulched leaves, but I cleared the beds and then didn't plant anything, won't make that mistake again.

Is it too late to plant potatoes.
 
I think it is too late for planting potatoes this year in Mass. Maybe try kale?
 
potatoes need at least ten weeks

you might just make some little ones problem being days start getting short and cold in October

I usually try not to direct seed after July 15th because the weather really has to cooperate.


That said I started 1 Aug some 50 day zucchini and string beans to replace some spent plants . The weather might cooperate. Never know.

and some spinach. Never have any luck with spinach.
 
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