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Is It Good to Put a Weed Barrier in a Vegetable Garden?
Is It Good to Put a Weed Barrier in a Vegetable Garden?. Weeds, the mortal enemies of vegetable gardeners, can destroy entire gardens and crops if not controlled. To control weeds in the vegetable garden, farmers use different organic and non-organic methods that include weedkillers, weed removal and weed prevention.
Weeds, the mortal enemies of vegetable gardeners, can destroy entire gardens and crops if not controlled. To control weeds in the vegetable garden, farmers use different organic and non-organic methods that include weedkillers, weed removal and weed prevention.
Significance
Weed barriers lay on the soil surface to prevent weed seeds from growing. Varieties made from geotextile and synthetic materials exist and allow the exchange of water and air through holes in the barrier sheets. However, gardeners also may choose less expensive and easier to obtain materials such as organic mulches, straw and yard clippings.
Disadvantages
No method of weed prevention is permanent protection against the parasitic invaders, and weed barriers are no different. Organic mulches and landscape fabric weed barriers require yearly replacement to prevent weeds from germinating in compost and soil deposits that collect on top of weed barriers.
Considerations
Denyse Cummins of the LSU AgCenter recommends using organic mulches such as wood chips, compost, yard trimmings or straw because of the low cost and benefits provided to the soil by decomposing materials. In addition to these benefits, organic mulches are easier to replace each growing season, requiring only reapplication of materials.
