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Sheeting on top of mulch and sheeting

ondofpondondofpond Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hello folks,

I rent. The bottom end of my garden, about 25m square, consists of, in its entirety, a kind of plastic sheeting with a very thin layer of bark over it. Recently, cats have also been s***ting in it. Because I have paid it absolutely no attention at all this last year, it now has an abundance of weeds but also grass growing in it (previously I had semi controlled this by hand weeding).

What I would like to do is just cover the whole area with another layer of sheeting on top of everything that's there and forget about it. Is this feasible? Can I prevent any further growth, kill all existing growth, by doing this?

I'm assuming it's like this in the first place because it's shaded and a lawn won't grow there well, otherwise I'd just remove the existing sheeting and bark, dig it over a bit and seed it.

What about just sheeting it then with nothing on top. Can recommend any product?

Thx for replies

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It would be easier just to lay more bark on top - a thick layer. If you hoe all the weeds first, that will help. However, if there are perennial weeds, as opposed to annuals, that have seeded in, it would be better to either use a suitable weedkiller on them [Resolva is quicker than anything else] or try and get them out by hand. Difficult to do the latter if they've gone through the membrane though. 
    In any case, you can't just forget about it indefinitely. Regular hoeing will remove weeds before they get a chance to take proper hold right through. Bark will gradually break down over time too.
    The cat problem is relentless. Good luck sorting that.....
    The water scarecrows are the easiest method of deterrent, but I know how b****y infuriating and soul destroying that is.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd spend a bit of time and get rid of the sheeting stuff altogether. 
    As your own experience shows, it DOESN'T stop the weeds, but it DOES prevent good soil activity ( worms can't get through it  )
    Devon.
  • ondofpondondofpond Posts: 2
    Fairygirl said:
    It would be easier just to lay more bark on top - a thick layer. If you hoe all the weeds first, that will help. However, if there are perennial weeds, as opposed to annuals, that have seeded in, it would be better to either use a suitable weedkiller on them [Resolva is quicker than anything else] or try and get them out by hand. Difficult to do the latter if they've gone through the membrane though. 
    In any case, you can't just forget about it indefinitely. Regular hoeing will remove weeds before they get a chance to take proper hold right through. Bark will gradually break down over time too.
    The cat problem is relentless. Good luck sorting that.....
    The water scarecrows are the easiest method of deterrent, but I know how b****y infuriating and soul destroying that is.
    Thx for that. My landlady saw fit to not install a garden tap so unless the pressure from a 2 metre high butt I could put on shed roof is enough I'm sort of stuffed on water squirters. I have no faith in the longevity of the sonic effect on cats using those sonic gadgets. 
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    As I read your situation, whoever preceded you solved the weed problem by covering with plastic, but then re-created it by putting the bark on top to provide a medium that would accommodate new weeds.  Bearing in mind the temporary nature of your occupancy, if it was me I'd fold back the plastic in strips so that I could sweep the bark on to the soil underneath.  You'll then have bare plastic that no weed will ever grow through - but it won't look very nice.  To anchor it down and create a bit of decoration, a few potted plants will do it for you with the advantage that you can take them with you if you want to when you leave.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I'd take a step back and think about what you actually want to end up with there - wild flowers? A place to sit? Daffodils, storage space?...
    Once you're clear on that then you're in a position to think about how to get there.
    I know personally I'd rather have an area of wild plants than a 25 square metre sheet of plastic to look at..
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