Does cardboard leech nitrogen from the soil? I'm thinking of laying a couple layers of cardboard on top of my garden soil to help prevent weeds. What is the down side of doing this?
Cardboard covering
- Thread starter Donatello
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No. Not laying on the top of the ground. It might tie up a tiny bit of nitrogen to break it down (rotten) but the cardboard would have to be buried.
I think I remember someone saying there are microplastics in cardboard now so that would be a downside. Another thing could be the chemicals involved in coloring the cardboard, if any.
I think I remember someone saying there are microplastics in cardboard now so that would be a downside. Another thing could be the chemicals involved in coloring the cardboard, if any.
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It also impedes infiltration of water and air exchange underneath it. It’s OK for walkways but not around plants.
I'm useing the slips that are on pallets . When products are delivered to grocery stores the re is a cardboard square between the pallet and the product( Baby wipes Toilet paper, cereal, etc.) I think those have no printing and are light in weight. Not heavy like regular cardboard.
Ok I have Carbord and Leaves for mulch and Wood Chips.
big rockpile
big rockpile
?, Big Rockpile.
Ok. Lay the cardboard down and cover with a thin layer of dirt.
Ok. Lay the cardboard down and cover with a thin layer of dirt.
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I put corrugated cardboard down then a few inches of mulch. This is called sheet-mulching. That layer of corrugated is worth about 2 inches of woodchip mulch for weed prevention.
After you spread mulch over the layer of corrugated sprinkle it or let a nice soaking slow rain get it wet. Until you do it will be a real slip hazard and a dog doing zoomies around the yard will clear out large areas of mulch.
Why would you spread a thin layer of dirt over cardboard? This will just make a weird layer of isolation between the ground and the top layer. That top layer will then quickly dry out in the sun or wash away with a heavy rain.
Cardboard, woodchips, paper (aka compost browns) don't leech nitrogen from the system but they will lock up the nitrogen in the short term or first few years. This is why you never rototill a garden where you use deep mulch practice with woodchips.
After you spread mulch over the layer of corrugated sprinkle it or let a nice soaking slow rain get it wet. Until you do it will be a real slip hazard and a dog doing zoomies around the yard will clear out large areas of mulch.
Why would you spread a thin layer of dirt over cardboard? This will just make a weird layer of isolation between the ground and the top layer. That top layer will then quickly dry out in the sun or wash away with a heavy rain.
Cardboard, woodchips, paper (aka compost browns) don't leech nitrogen from the system but they will lock up the nitrogen in the short term or first few years. This is why you never rototill a garden where you use deep mulch practice with woodchips.
I have both Wood Chips and Shredded Leaves on.
Was going to use Leaves in my Garden.
big rockpile
Was going to use Leaves in my Garden.
big rockpile
Thanks for your comments. I'll try the mulch.
One more thing
The cardboard that has Amazon written on it is designed to be impervious to water and is not recommended for composting or using it expecting it to breakdown
The cardboard that has Amazon written on it is designed to be impervious to water and is not recommended for composting or using it expecting it to breakdown
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I just read a post on gardenprofessors that basically said NEVER use cardboard, of any kind, in a garden. There are lots of ‘forever chemicals’ in all types. Just use chips from arborists. Up to 12” deep for weed prevention.
Sorry about my earlier recommendation.
Sorry about my earlier recommendation.
I am in full agreement with this point cpp (I would rather call you Sid or Fred or Joe) I would always prefer to use natural woodland or homemade compost, chippings and well rotted leaf mould than any matter that could be impregnated with suspect chemicals.