Sustainable and effective! - by Rachel Iorfino
This quick trick will help you stave off weeds anywhere you like!
Watch: Charlie Albone's Guide To Weeding
If weeds are ruining your garden, and it seems like dousing them in weed killer just isn’t cutting it, why not take an alternative approach? After killing and removing weeds, putting up a weed barrier can reduce weed growth and allow your plants to thrive without them!
A weed barrier can actually be made of cardboard, which is a quick, accessible and eco-friendly material!
Using cardboard for a weed barrier
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Whether you’ve just received a package in the mail or bought flat-pack furniture, cardboard boxes are annoying to recycle and dispose of. However, if you add your backyard weeds to the mix, there may be a simple solution on both ends!
Using cardboard as a weed barrier works wonders for your garden – with the cardboard smothering weeds and promoting decomposition into the soil, which adds to composting and fertilising efforts.
The best way to use cardboard weed barriers effectively is by placing them under pavers or in garden beds. While it may not look the best in the beginning, having a cardboard layer under pavers or mulch in your garden bed will ensure weeds will be smothered and cannot grow!
What kind of cardboard should I use for a weed barrier?
The cardboard that you should use should be clean, unwaxed and not excessively damaged. It should not be heavily printed or have any tape or glue on it. This is so it can easily break down and decompose into the soil.
How to lay a cardboard weed barrier
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Pavers:
Wherever you wish to have a garden path made of stones or pavers, and you don’t want weeds to grow through the cracks, lay some cardboard down! Simply place cardboard down before pavers or stones and moisten with water.
The cardboard will act as a barrier against weeds and eventually decompose into the soil underneath your garden path.
New garden beds or plant areas:
For new garden beds or areas you wish to plant new plants, you can lay down cardboard using a technique called sheet mulching.
Before starting, remove any large rocks from your chosen area so it is not uneven. Place down cardboard on your planting space and moisten well. Use the removed rocks as placeholders for your cardboard so it doesn’t accidentally shift.
This should be done in autumn or early winter so that by the time spring comes around, any weeds or unwanted plants will be smothered and your area is ready for planting.
Rachel Iorfino is a content producer for Better Homes and Gardens who specialises in gardening and lifestyle content. With a Bachelor's degree in English and Visual Arts under her belt, Rachel excels in storytelling through her writing and content creation. Rachel is known for her love of native plants and always recommends Aussie plant choices!
