We have just installed a load of flat packed cupboards etc. in our kitchen and are now left with a pile of cardboard boxes, which I will have to rip into manageable bits to put in the recycle bin --- unless there is a way I can use them in my garden. I have seen cardboard mentioned a few times while browsing oooby so am hoping I can use them rather than get rid of them. I do have a patch at the end of the yard that I have tried to re claim from the weeds several times, at present it is a large patch of mainly nasturtiums with a few weeds. Can all this cardboard be used to help kill / smother the weeds and turn this patch into another veggie bed??
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I use my cardboard as the base layer for garden paths. Cardboard laid flat and punctured with a fork to let the water through, then a thick layer of wood chips.
Its especially good on soils that get sodden and turn to mud in the winter. I can walk around most of my garden, mid winter after weeks of rain, in my slippers and get5 nothing more than damp soles.
Next autumn I will rake up the path materials which will have rotted nicely and add it all to the compost heap and start again with new paths.
Thanks for the advice:)
I have spent this morning covering the area with the boxes, weighting it all down with the logs left from the dismantled herb garden and giving it all good soaking, then spent a few minutes ripping the smaller bits into little bits to add to the compost. It was lovely standing in the quiet, enjoying the sun peeping through the rain clouds before I have to go to school and stand the noise of a thousand plus students. I thought the rain would do the soaking for me, but they are rapidly disappearing. Luckily Robbie they are plain brown with very little print so ideal to use, and Gaylen I still have plenty of nasturtiums, they grow like weeds in my yard :)
There is something very satisfying in putting a pile of rubbish to better use. It will be interesting to see what the results are when we come back from our trip.
yes, cardboard is great for supressing weeds etc. just layer it on the area you want to cover. you could also use newspapers, old carpet etc. might be an idea to make sure it is wet so its doesn't blow away. if you cover the ground completely with the cardboard you could start a garden on top of it with compost, soil, etc. Mind you nasturtiums are useful in cooking, salads etc. i alwys have a patch growing
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Its especially good on soils that get sodden and turn to mud in the winter. I can walk around most of my garden, mid winter after weeks of rain, in my slippers and get5 nothing more than damp soles.
Next autumn I will rake up the path materials which will have rotted nicely and add it all to the compost heap and start again with new paths.
I have spent this morning covering the area with the boxes, weighting it all down with the logs left from the dismantled herb garden and giving it all good soaking, then spent a few minutes ripping the smaller bits into little bits to add to the compost. It was lovely standing in the quiet, enjoying the sun peeping through the rain clouds before I have to go to school and stand the noise of a thousand plus students. I thought the rain would do the soaking for me, but they are rapidly disappearing. Luckily Robbie they are plain brown with very little print so ideal to use, and Gaylen I still have plenty of nasturtiums, they grow like weeds in my yard :)
There is something very satisfying in putting a pile of rubbish to better use. It will be interesting to see what the results are when we come back from our trip.
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