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Weed suppressing fabric

RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
in Problem solving
How do most of you use this? Do you lay it then cut through to dig holes and plant, or do you plant first and lay the fabric around the plant? I'm finding laying it first then digging a hole very messy and I have to cut a massive bit out to be able to access the soil and get a spade in.  I also haven't decided where all the plants are going to go, but I need to get some control down as the garden was previously very overgrown.  Any tips much appreciated  
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2018
    Lay the fabric then using a sharp knife cut two slits in a large cross and fold back the corners and plant your plant.
    You can then bring the flaps back around the base of the plant then tuck the flap corners back under to keep it all tidy.
     Hope that makes sense.  :)
    But the soil needs to be prepared properly first before laying the membrane so you can dig the hole with a trowel rather than a spade. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I have a deep hatred of planting through membrane. 
    All the little critters which draw detritus down into the ground can't get access to their food and unless you mulch very thickly on top, there always seems to be some of the membrane exposed. 
    Devon.
  • RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
    I will be mulching thickly, but if I don’t use it, what’s the alternative?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    One good weeding before you start, then add the mulch onto the surface of the soil. 
    The worms and other critters will then work for you , rather than being trapped underneath fabric.
    Devon.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    When I used it I put it down and planted through.
    Because you're putting more in than you took out there's always soil left over.
    When you put your mulch down, I used bark, it all blows down to the bottom of the garden because the membrane is slippery.
    When your mulch breaks down it is the perfect growing medium for weeds.
    I now just use a thick mulch without the membrane. It seems to be easier to maintain and when the dandelions seed themselves they pull out more easily instead of bringing an acre of membrane up with them because the roots have welded to it. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    plant pauper said:
    When I used it I put it down and planted through.
    Because you're putting more in than you took out there's always soil left over.
    When you put your mulch down, I used bark, it all blows down to the bottom of the garden because the membrane is slippery.
    When your mulch breaks down it is the perfect growing medium for weeds.
    I now just use a thick mulch without the membrane. It seems to be easier to maintain and when the dandelions seed themselves they pull out more easily instead of bringing an acre of membrane up with them because the roots have welded to it. 
    Another example of why I'd advise against it.
    We've been gardening successfully for thousands of years before "membrane" came along. 
    Please have a rethink.
    Devon.
  • RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
    Hmm. I’m having real doubts now. It’s just this garden is full of invasive crocosmia, pulmonaria EVERYWHERE! Weeds, bindweed and ivy. I thought membrane would be the best way but I’m not sure now. I will have lots of bark mulch because some trees are being removed and a lot is being chipped. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Trust me, bindweed will find the planting holes in your membrane and pop right up through it.
    I'd treat the bindweed with glyphosate and did the rest out before you start. 
    In the words of Roy Cropper: " If you fail to prepare; you should prepare to fail"
    Devon.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    My membrane was inherited from a lady who became too ill to garden. On top she put purple slate this holds it down and stops it degrading.  Into this I do the cut a cross planting , I haven't pulled it up as the tree roots and very heavy clay make digging the whole boarder too difficult in this area. 
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Another 👎👎👎 for planting through membrane from me too - for all the reasons given above - plus the fact that some weeds & things still seem to be able to grow through it and it ruins the soil beneath because that soil is never improved by digging / addition of further organic material or activity of soil dwellers.

    A 6” mulch of pine bark nuggets (larger than bark chippings) will keep down all but the most tenacious of weeds & looks attractive. You still need to prep the soil well first though - no getting away from that task!
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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