The Advantages of Weed Suppressing Membranes

 

Although weeds can simply be described as ‘a plant growing in the wrong place’, there is no doubt that they are the bane of many gardeners’ lives. One recent survey showed that almost half of all gardeners wished they spent less time removing these unwanted plants.

Here, Madingley Mulch, who stock weed suppressing membranes at our base on the edge of Cambridge. look at why this product is an excellent way of solving any weed problems you have in your garden.

 

They Stunt Weeds’ Growth

Most weed-suppressing membranes are made from a sturdy, close-meshed fabric. This discourages weeds by blocking out the light – like any plant, weeds need sunlight to photosynthesise and grow.

The material is strong enough to prevent any weeds from pushing through, and it should resist any attempt by animals (such as pets) or birds to damage it as well. So laying down a membrane will save you a lot of hard labour in the long run – and give you more time to concentrate on other aspects of your garden, such as planting and watering, or just to enjoy it without noticing any weeds.

 

They Don’t Harm the Soil

It can be tempting to spray a weedkiller or other artificial chemical aid onto the soil rather than lay a membrane – it’s quick and convenient, after all. The problem with this is that it can damage the plants you want to protect, as well as the weeds you are targeting. Weedkillers can also adversely affect the nutrients in the soil.

Membranes, on the other hand, are a natural solution which doesn’t have as many unwanted side-effects. They are also porous enough to allow water through, so you don’t have to worry about waterlogging even if there’s a prolonged wet spell.

However, membranes do still act as a barrier to any soil, adversely affecting its organic structure. You may need to water your plants more frequently, and it’s usually a good idea to lay a mulch on top of it to ensure the ground remains healthy and has a good mix of organic nutrients.

 

They Are Versatile

You can use membranes in a number of locations, not just on a flower bed. For instance, it can go underneath decorative stones or pebbles as well as soil – it will still stop the weeds getting through.

They are also suitable for use below ground as part of a sub-base for patios or other building works, and for general ground stabilisation.

 

How to Lay Your Membrane

If you are going to put down a membrane, the first thing you should do is clear the area where you are going to lay it – and yes, this does mean weeding the area (hopefully for the last time in a while).

Then level the area; use a garden roller if you have one, then rake the surface through. If the surface is at all uneven, it will increase the chances of the membrane being punctured. Measure and cut your membrane to size, allowing for an overlap of around 10 cm (4 ins) per sheet.

Fix it down with pegs, hooks or nails (it’s best to do this when it’s not too windy). Finally, trim off any excess fabric, then cover it over either with mulch, decorative stones, pebbles or plants.

 

Weed Suppressing Membranes in Cambridge from Madingley Mulch

At Madingley Mulch, we stock Groundtex, a heavy-duty membrane (pictured) which should deter the strongest of weeds, as well as fixings to help keep it secure.

We are also a leading garden mulch supplier, with customers in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, and Suffolk, as well as our home county of Cambridgeshire. To check out our current range, follow this link. If you aren’t sure how much you need for your project, then we have a calculator on our site.

And if it’s a big order, then we can always deliver it to you. We are operating a sliding scale of charges, so the closer you live to our Cambridgeshire base, the less you will pay. The minimum order value to qualify for delivery is £50. For more details, check out our deliveries page here.

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