Biodegradable mulch film

[Karen GuthrieParticipant]

Hello there – Id be interested to know if anyone else has tried black biodegradable mulch film on top of bare soil or mulched soil? I tried some from Gardening Naturally last year on brassicas and celery. The supplier predicts a 16 week lifespan but mine lasted a good 6 months! It isn’t cheap or pretty but when you’ve insufficient organic mulch to go round (as I did) it could be a help to no-diggers !

[charlesModerator]

Hi Karen and thanks for this.
My experience with “biodegradable” black polythene from maize starch was not good.
1 It lets light through so is no use for killing existing weeds, unless you lay cardboard first, effectively using the polythene as a way to hold cardboard in place.
2 It biodegrades in perhaps 5 years, or less in sunlight so you need to leave it out and watch the unbeautiful process! Mine looked the same after 4 months as when I laid it.
3 It’s pricey, certainly compared to cardboard!

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