Weed block

[Csara]

We have weed block covering every area of landscaping possible in both our front and backyard, but it doesn't seem to work AT ALL. Is there a certain time frame that it just stops working and you have to replace it or did our landscapers just do a really crappy job?

[rdy2rac with]

What type of weed block do you mean? The paper stuff that you roll out under a layer of dirt or a chemical of some sort?

I've used the weed paper in 2 different areas for 2 different applications with 2 different results.

The first spot was in the back garden area. I put the paper down then a layer of dirt that I could plant in. This area still gets a ton of weed but they are growing from the dirt I put in there not from underneith.

The second area is in the front yard. I put th paper down and covered with large rocks to creat a rock garden between several bushes. In this area I have had zero weed pop up.

[Csara]

The black plastic kind (looks like garbage bags).

[rdy2rac with]

Chances are with that type if blocker that if you put something over it (like dirt or sod) the weeds were in that & are growing ABOVE the blocker.

[suzieq728]

I have the same problem C. We have a raised bed in front of our house and it is lined with that black stuff, but when we bought the house the weeds were taking over the bed. I cleaned it out and now I think I am going to buy more of that stuff, lay it down, and put some soil on top and plant away.
I didnt plant last year, oh wait yes I did, but I did containers. I lined the whole front deck of the house with containers, it looked so pretty. But that bed is a eye sore. Something has got to be done with it this year. I wanted to get it done before the fall and plant bulbs, but I never got around to it.. Maybe this year.

[jessica]

I was doing some research a little while back on weed blocks as we had previously used tons of mulch as a weed barrier but since we didn't replace the mulch in the last 2 years or so we have been taken over by a bad case of weeds in our flower beds. From what I read, it seems like the way to go is to get spun-bonded weed barriers that are not woven. Woven weed blocks are notorious for weeds eventually getting through and/or growing on top. My FIL swears that none of them work, but he has always used woven ones. Lowe's carries a good non-woven kind by DuPont - that is what we plan on getting (need to do it soon and put it down just haven't done so yet doh!).

[suzieq728]

Can you use them in container gardening too? Seems like thats what I am going to be doing a lot of this year. Doug just informed me, (a little late) that he is ditching the raised bed in the front of the house, for a better path to the front doors. We now have steps that neither of us are thrilled about the kids keep falling on them. So like last year I did a whole bunch of containers with flowers veggies herbs all around the front deck, and I am going to do that again, only more .