The Bite:
Fabric groundcovers can dramatically reduce pesky weeds without resorting to toxic chemicals.
Want to choke out the weeds in your garden? Use a fabric groundcover instead of pesticides.
07.12.2005
Submitted by idealbite on Tue, 07/12/2005 - 5:00pm.
The Benefits:
- Fabric groundcovers block sunlight, which aids in weed reduction, while still remaining permeable to water, air, and nutrients.
- They are less expensive than chemical pesticides: most brands sell for pennies/square foot, while many herbicides cost as much as $50/gal.
- The fabric retains moisture, reducing the need to water, saving you time and money.
- They also protect soil from erosion and insect pests.
Personally Speaking:
As long as we are putting a decorative mulch on top, we use fabric groundcovers in our landscaping whenever possible. (Without the mulch, it can look pretty silly).
Wanna Try:
Many stores -- from local nurseries to Costco -- offer a variety of fabric groundcovers. Be sure to plan your plantings carefully, ensuring that the holes in the cover are spaced appropriately to allow your plants to grow. Here is an online option as well: B&T Grower Supply, Inc.
Cocktail Fact
Some gardeners use old army blankets as fabric ground covers – weird, but true – they decompose over time.
Bang For The Bite
A 1% reduction in garden chemicals would clean up 30,000 homes! Plus, fabric covers are less expensive than pesticides and they save you time in weeding and watering.
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