Weed stopping mats...do they work?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>My new obsession is keeping the weeds in my gardens to a minimum, this is not easy in south Texas where the little buggers grow like crazy all year long. I’m not proud of the amount of Round Up I’ve gone through and need to start doing something at least bit more green.</p>

<p>So, I’m considering buying weed stopping mats of some kind to put under the bark mulch we’re ordering. I’ve seen paper, polypropylene, coco fiber and recycled rubber. </p>

<p>I’m especially interested in the recycled rubber because I do like recycled products but the bottom line is that I need something that works. Oh, and do any of these products work better than newspaper or cardboard? Any words of wisdom are much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>It does work. I’m not sure what we used, but get something that is heavier as some of the thin stuff will rip. Oh, one thing that does happen is that weeds that put out feelers will eventually grow in the mulch (as it breaks down). The nice thing is that they are easy to remove.</p>

3

<p>akck, Thank you! I was looking at one made of recycled paper but I think you’re right about going heavier as it’s very windy here.</p>

4

<p>pug, since you have been doing research, if you find one that you like could you send me a link? I get weeds like crazy and I’m trying to figure out how to go about it for this up coming season.</p>

5

<p>I don’t mind the weeds but the gophers are driving me crazy. I planted 8 rannuculus plants last week in a cement planter that is surrounded by a cement patio and veranda. Somehow the gophers found their way into this small shallow planter and I am down to 3 plants.</p>

6

<p>mom60, Now you’ve made me thankful for weeds! I cannot imagine trying to deal with gophers.</p>

<p>fendergirl, I have not tried any of these products but I am considering using them:
[Coco</a> Fiber Mulch Tree Rings | Buy from Gardener’s Supply](<a href=“http://www.gardeners.com/Coco-Fiber-Tree-Rings/EdgingMulches_Mulches,17378,default,cp.html]Coco”>http://www.gardeners.com/Coco-Fiber-Tree-Rings/EdgingMulches_Mulches,17378,default,cp.html)
[Coco</a> Fiber Edging | Buy from Gardener’s Supply](<a href=“http://www.gardeners.com/Coco-Fiber-Edging/EdgingMulches_Mulches,35-212,default,cp.html]Coco”>Coco Fiber Edging | Coconut Fiber Edging | Gardeners.com)
[Recycled</a> Plastic Weedblock | Buy from Gardener’s Supply](<a href=“http://www.gardeners.com/recycled-plastic-weedblock/EdgingMulches_Mulches,37-991,default,cp.html]Recycled”>http://www.gardeners.com/recycled-plastic-weedblock/EdgingMulches_Mulches,37-991,default,cp.html)
[Mulch</a> Plastic | Red Plastic Mulch | Black Mulch Plastic | Mulch Film](<a href=“http://www.groworganic.com/weed-pest-control/organic-weed-control/mulch-plastic.html]Mulch”>Grow Organic: Organic Garden Supplies, Farm Supplies and Plants Online)</p>

7

<p>Yes, they do work if you splurge for the more expensive heavier kind. That’s what we did under the gravel areas of our yard, and others who installed the cheaper were sorry. (</p>

<p>I can’t send you a link because we installed our weed mat in 1994, before the popularity of internet;) It has lasted a long time!</p>