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Uses for old carpet in the garden?

ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
in Problem solving
just about to lift about 20 sq.m of old carpet, which I’d assumed we would take to the tip. However, just wondering if there are any good uses I could put it to outside. We don’t have a compost heap, but several big areas covered in ivy, a couple of weedy bramble patches, and some pathways being taken over by assorted seedlings including hellebore and wild garlic. Any suggestions?
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Posts

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I used a big bit of old carpet in the polytunnel at my old allotment, helped to keep down the weeds and looked tidy. 
  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    Padding under pond liner? There's all sorts under mine!
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Other than covering compost bins, weed suppressant is one use but only really works on the "easier" weeds - for the likes of invasive bulbs, vinca, brambles etc. you will also have to employ more drastic measures. Carpet in the right place provides a home for Slow Worms too :D
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Do be aware though that many carpets contain plastic, including the backing.  This will turn to dust and be forever in the soil.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Very good for wrapping dead bodies before disposing of them.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    You'll find plenty of slugs under it - but at least you'll know where to find them😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    On top of our compost bins underneath corrugated sheets.  Gets nice and hot in there. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Shed insulation?
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    You could use it on the top of your veg beds to keep the weeds down and the soil temperature up. I've used cardboard sheets on mine over the winter but I don't see why old carpet wouldn't work just as well.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We used old carpets for putting down on pathways to prevent "weeds" taking over .
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