QuestionQUESTION: After reading so many articles regarding mulch bed preparation, I am confused. Some say you must weed, some not, some say till others not etc.
I am thinking of doing the following and would appreciate your comments.
I would not weed but simply mow area but pull out large weeds,including dandelions. Instead of covering area with numerous layers of newspapers, I was thinking of covering area with polyvethylene tarpaulin 9'x12' sheets...might also use all purpose burlap blankets. on top, I would lay a 2 to 4 inch deep mulch. Should I later decide to plant a plant, I would create an opening in the tarpaulin, etc.
ANSWER: I am also from Quebec Leo. I lived in Pierrefonds when I was a kid. We used to get a pile of snow back then. That's neat. ( small world )
There are different ways to do this, but you must consider other factors as well.
If you don't excavate a few inches, how will you match your bed height to what is around it?
I have heard of people complaining of rotting grass smells when not removing this either. ( I don't know how true this is, because I always remove the grass with a shovel or sod cutter first )
Most effective method I have found for this is, using a sod cutter to remove the sod. ( depending on how big of an area ) next, a flat square shovel to remove about 2 to 3 more inches (depending on how low the sod cutter was set) Next step, Lay down polypropylene landscape fabric and install edging or your choice to retain the material inside. then install your mulch.
I have not found newspapers or burlap as effective for the long term. Tarpaulin sheets will more expensive than polypropylene rolls.
I have written a how-to module on installing rock and mulch beds myself. I would like you to read this. It is lengthy, but full of tips and techniques you won't find anywhere else. I have another module on landscaping fabric that I was going to post to my site today or tomorrow. Have a look at the link and let me know if you are still confused. I use polypropylene rolls with my projects. The best kinds are purchased from landscape supply yards not dept. stores.
Get back to me Leo if you have any other questions. Thanks and have a great day.
http://www.dream-yard.com/edging-decorative-rock.html
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QUESTION: Over the years I have bought via Canadiantire, quite a number of polyvethylene tarpaulins when they were on sale. I have 6 left that have never been used.
If I understand your writing, I can use these tarpaulins instead of using newspapers or spending more money on polypropylene landscape fabric.
I appreciate your comments about excavating, removing sod and edging.
I have however too much to do and honestly, I do not like gardening or working in the yard more than I have to. I simply want to stop the weeds and grass from growing in the existing 4 beds that the previous owner carefully cared for. All I really want to see is mulch and some decorations....rocks, small decorative statues....maybe a few cedar trees.
By the way, I also lived in Pierrefonds 1971 to l987. I am curious however to know how you found out that I currently live in Quebec?
AnswerI understand what you are saying about not wanting to put in a lot of time. I have never used tarpaulin before. It's not a common question to run across. I am sure it will be fine.
I guess my point is that it may work, and may be fine, but I would not want to put a garantee on it. What we always try to do here Leo is give you the proper way to complete a project. This is what I have done.
Best of luck to you in your project.
PS. I lived on Acres rd. and yes, I was there in 1971 to 73. (quite young though) It gave me Quebec as your location when you asked the question. That is how I knew.
