Why use cardboard in a garden? It's a great mulch, and prevents weeds from sprouting. Decomposing cardboard adds organic matter to the soil, improving your garden's drainage and boosting nutrient levels.
The idea is to eliminate your lawn, not to keep it comfy until fall.” * Wait until fall to plant. Sheet mulching with cardboard is an inexpensive way to remove a lawn that does not require chemical application or sheets of plastic. A single layer of cardboard is laid out over the areas of lawn no longer needed.
This no-dig garden hack is beautifully illustrated in a TikTok video from Brandon Gentry (@brandontgentry), below. Basically, you use sheets of cardboard in your planting area to kill off any existing grass and prevent those pesky weeds from popping up.
The cardboard method is one of the easiest ways to convert grass lawn into garden beds. With the cardboard in place, the grass gradually dies off and the cardboard decomposes. Most beds are ready to plant in about 4 to 6 months, although it can take longer.
While this humble material may not appear powerful initially, it is among the most impactful ways to tackle the pesky greenery in your yard and flower beds. If you're looking for how to get rid of weeds without chemicals, cardboard could be your desired solution.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? This process is a temporary solution, not a permanent fix. The big advantage to cardboard is that it doesn't stay there forever, getting locked up in soil layers. I've seen the cardboard disintegrate after 6 months.
Though termites can eat some types of wood, they prefer cardboard in taste testing. If they are given no choice and have only wood to eat, they will consume it but their survival rate decreases.
Two layers of cardboard works well. Wet down the cardboard as you go to keep it in place and to shape it around obstacles. Work around existing plants by ripping and folding the cardboard.
Landscaping fabric adds no nutritional value to the soil, and it doesn't decompose. And over time, the fabric can be detrimental to your soil's health. Biodegradable alternatives like shredded leaves, cardboard, and compost are healthy foods for the soil –– and the hungry earthworms!
Wet the lawn and then cover it with one layer of cardboard or six layers of newspaper. Be sure to overlap the sheets by at least six inches to prevent the grass from growing through.
Without sufficient moisture, cardboard and newspaper can create durable barriers that attract a couple of serious pests. It ends up that termites and voles love cardboard. By putting a layer of cardboard under your raised beds, you are putting out the vole and termite welcome mat.
First, cover the area thoroughly, overlapping your cardboard by 8 to 12 inches, and blocking any gaps made by box flaps. Grass spreads by rhizomes and is terrific at finding a way to the light. Top the cardboard with several inches of organic matter to hold it down and complete the seal.
Also, earthworms are very attracted to the cardboard and are great for the garden, since their movement through soil increases aeration, nutrient cycling, and water infusion. The earthworm 'castings' manure (worm poop) provides an organic type of fertilizer that offers many beneficial nutrients for plants.
Will roots grow through cardboard? Yes! Unlike silage tarps, cardboard decomposes into the soil making it the perfect element to use in the no-till method.
In more typical garden conditions — when a piece of cardboard is used as mulch or specifically shredded and soaked to decompose efficiently — biodegradation occurs quickly, with the majority of cardboard completely broken down within three months.
What is Aeration? Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction.
Cardboard can help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and block the elements. Earthworms and other microbes LOVE cardboard! It attracts your beneficial insects and builds up your soil.
Beneath the layers of compost materials, sheet mulches typically include a layer of cardboard to keep grass and weeds from growing through – a great way to smother unwanted vegetation or convert a sod lawn into a garden.
Unlike weed fabric, cardboard allows air and water to easily pass through at all times. Even better, it breaks down over time to actually help add to the soil's value – not take away from it! Cardboard also happens to attract earthworms and other beneficial worms.
Vinegar kills weeds quickly—usually within 24 hours—but does not discriminate between the weeds you want to kill and the plants you want to grow, so apply the vinegar carefully and in the right conditions. Vinegar's efficacy depends on the weather and the solution's concentration.
While mulch is great, it also creates an ideal environment for pests like termites to congregate. The mulch shields them from the elements so that they can thrive. For this reason, it's not always the best idea to lay mulch right next to your home's foundation.
Natural Solutions for Eliminating Ants
Scatter lemon or orange peels around the mulch bed to deter ants from entering the area. Replace the peels every few days to maintain their potency. Diatomaceous Earth: This natural powder is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny aquatic organisms.
The best mulch to use to avoid termites is a cedar mulch. Cedar mulch is naturally termite-resistant and helps keep termites away from your home and garden. It also helps to keep soil moist and retain water, while providing essential nutrients to your plants. Plus, it looks great and adds a nice touch to any landscape.