Best Ground Cover for Weed Control

[gggvan]

I am creating a new area for pollinators and will adding many bushes, plantings, etc, In this area will be a walk through path and maybe a water feature. Rather than just spread mulch around every season, any other ideas both for the path and the planting beds?

 

[The.Devo]

Use compost instead of mulch, it will break down to feed the soil and act as a ground cover.

 

[gggvan]

composting is a lot of trouble. and i assume it's expensive to buy.

 

[The.Devo]

composting is a lot of trouble. and i assume it's expensive to buy.

compost is usually a bit less than mulch

 

[CaptSpiff]

compost is usually a bit less than mulch

Where are you getting your compost?

 

[gggvan]

should i spread it now or wait til spring?

 

[xman23]

My property is wooded, the yard is cleared 20 to 30 ft around the house. I mulch it every few years, for 20 years, I get truck loads of wood bark mulch from the lumber mill, cheep. Not your fancy mulch, but it lasts. I put it down 6 inches deep. It now requires much less replenishment . Weeds don't grow in it well. Yard looks great and no grass cutting. Only grass cutting is the road frontage drainage ditch.

 

[The.Devo]

Where are you getting your compost?

The landscaper gets it. It is not screened compost, it has small sticks and twigs in it so it basically looks like mulch

 

[gggvan]

I'm also adding in some floating raised beds. This year's wildflower plot was consumed with weeds. I think keeping better track of the soil will help that. I have a lot of ipe deck boards left over from our deck fiasco, contractor had to replace his work.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/finegardening.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/vg-migration/2008/08/27233422/kg08-raised-beds-09.jpg

 

[festerw]

Vinca and pachysandra do pretty well for keeping weeds at bay once they're established.

 

[CaptSpiff]

The landscaper gets it. It is not screened compost, it has small sticks and twigs in it so it basically looks like mulch

Thanks. I ask cause our County Transfer Station offers 10 bags of mulch per visit free (also free into your pickup bed via aa front loader). Comes from roadside windfall picked up by county workers, and from residents dropping off. They grind into hugh streaming piles, turn about three times, and offer about a week or two later. Bags still feel warm.

But it is definitely not compost. Not enough soil to grow anything in. And definitely not heated enough to kill off all the weed and crap like I'd expect in true compost. Free is free though.

 

[gggvan]

I'm also adding in some floating raised beds. This year's wildflower plot was consumed with weeds. I think keeping better track of the soil will help that. I have a lot of ipe deck boards left over from our deck fiasco, contractor had to replace his work.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/finegardening.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/vg-migration/2008/08/27233422/kg08-raised-beds-09.jpg

so, my raised bed is 6' x 3' x 22". should i put a shelf inside and make the soil level ~10-12" or fill it up. Will more soil require less frequent watering?