This topic contains 3 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by JD 5 years, 4 months ago.
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Hi Newbie. I cant recommend specifics but if you are looking for black polythene, try to find thicker versions, and if possible those that say they are resistant to UV rays, so it doesn’t deteriorate too quickly. I know that Charles prefers polythene to gardening membrane as it frays at the edges. For me there are ways round that (using a heat gun, turning the edges under before you pin them down, etc) and the benefits of membrane outweighs the downsides. If you get good quality black membrane (sometimes called mypex) it allows water through whilst blocking light to the weeds. I initally used it to cover my extremely weedy allotment and now use it for paths. Again – different from Charles’ suggestions so please do read his views on polythene and paths.
Don’t buy real cheap here – for either you are likely to get something that doesn’t block light and with membrane might let weeds grow through. Good luck and enjoy – I’m a real addict!It will depend on your location and whether you have a ‘brass neck’.(That is, the ability to overcome your normal reticent to scrounge.)
A good source of cheap (ie free!) heavy duty polythene sheet is a farm yard with cows ; if they use/keep silage in pits or ‘sausages'(known as Ag Bags). Normally its a one-use cover, is tough and, usefully, black on one side, white on the other.
See:
So keep your eyes open when you see maize being cut /carted. Its going to a place that will have plenty of scrap plastic after the winter.The real test of a ‘brass necker’ is to get your newfound friendly farmer to cut it nice and strait , fold it squarely, and put it in your car..
Wow that’s amazing. Never seen that before. You’re a real source of gems of knowledge, Cleansweep. Thank you for all your posts.
Jan
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