tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post6830812715049908507..comments2024-03-28T11:53:52.593+00:00Comments on Rachel the Gardener: Shingle paths - do they need membrane underneath, or not?Rachel the Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025126472323801610noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post-36768113937288539762020-04-30T13:44:36.725+01:002020-04-30T13:44:36.725+01:00Green manure - yes! And mulching at sowing time, ...Green manure - yes! And mulching at sowing time, a la 'No Dig'. Malhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17169050358049841998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post-4900966137074479762020-04-30T06:40:18.283+01:002020-04-30T06:40:18.283+01:00I certainly wouldn't use membrane to cover the...I certainly wouldn't use membrane to cover the soil on a long-term basis: in my experience, when you eventually lift it, the soil below is "tired" and needs to be dug, fluffed over, re-aerated, as it were. And I have found that either the membrane was indeed water permeable, in which case the soil is sodden (lack of natural evaporation processes) and lacking in worms, or if it was too plastic-y (ie plastic sheet, tarps, etc) then the soil is bone dry and needs a lot of work to get it back into good condition.<br /><br />You can see why they sell green manure, can't you! Far better to have a short-term smothering crop growing on un-used land, preferably something that's easy to get rid of, when the time comes to put that land back into use.<br />Rachel the Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17025126472323801610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post-81241145804181036542020-04-29T18:35:42.205+01:002020-04-29T18:35:42.205+01:00Sound logic. Thanks. I have been a user but have...Sound logic. Thanks. I have been a user but have been having second thoughts about longer term usage after reading up about the soil food web. Also my allotment has notably few worms. Then again there are New Zealand flatworms on the site who might be eating them. Malhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17169050358049841998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post-72098138486439913472020-04-29T15:07:54.080+01:002020-04-29T15:07:54.080+01:00Oh, how I love supplementary questions!
I know a ...Oh, how I love supplementary questions!<br /><br />I know a lot of people will use just the membrane on a veg plot, in a short-term way, to smother weeds and/or to prevent new ones growing while an area is either being left fallow, or is awaiting attention.<br /><br />Nothing wrong with that at all: I wouldn't say that membrane "destroys" the natural processes of the soil, but I would say that it hinders it somewhat, as it reduces rain access and air transfer, as well as (one could say) reducing the natural effects of birds and small critturs turning over the top surface in search of worms etc. BUT, it does stop the natural process of weeds colonising your hard-worked tilth!Rachel the Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17025126472323801610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736928270390224037.post-26038830537897702342020-04-29T14:47:48.426+01:002020-04-29T14:47:48.426+01:00Supplementary question: Is there any place for wee...Supplementary question: Is there any place for weed suppressant membrane on the vegetable plot (or does it destroy the natural processes and vitality of your soil)?Malhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17169050358049841998noreply@blogger.com