I’m trying to create a Japanese inspired courtyard garden for a client and I’m wanting to use a gravel as mulch and a ground cover- I’m hoping Scleranthus will grow happily with some irrigation amongst the rocks. Anyway to get to the point- I don’t want weeds popping up everywhere through the gravel but I don’t like the idea of weed mat either. It’s a building site currently so I don’t have to contend with existing grass or established weeds. In this case I’m thinking there won’t be a need for weed mat anyway? However, I know it’s inevitable that seeds will blow in or otherwise find their way. I don’t use chemicals and I’m thinking the only way is hand weeding as soon as they pop up. But I’m worried the client might not have the time or motivation to stay on top of it. How do you find tackling weeds with your gravel garden Micheal? Any advice? Thank you for reading!
I am trialling Vinca minor and Fuschia procumbens. so far so good.
As a newbie in gardening I never knew I would think about these things before buying a house. I do now hahaha.
As a newbie gardener, I had no idea I would consider these factors before buying a property. Although I do, now.
I’d really like to know the answer to this question, I have my own garden near to London England and don’t want to use weed mat anymore. I heard on a designer’s youtube that bark works well as a weed suppressor and so I’m going pull up the weed mat I have and try it soon. I will put a thick layer down on clear soil and think I’ll be able the bark aside if I want to plant something new in the future. I hope it works alright.
Chant to yourself until it imprints on your subconscious ‘I’m never, ever using weed mat ever again’. It’s terrible stuff, and the moment there’s anything on top of it, organic or not, weeds start germinating in it straight away! Then you have a weed problem, a planting challenge (cos it’s hard to plant into) as well as a disposal problem when you come to the point of pulling it up in frustration and throwing it away. The bark is perfectly adequate on its own as long as you’re not starting with soil already infested with the roots of perennial weeds. The mulch will prevent the germination of new weeds.
Phew, I’m so glad you’re against it too. My parents had it all over their property and yes it was such a nightmare! And horrible to think it was just rubbish and had to go in a skip!
Once we broke out backs pulling it all up! And as you said it was useless as weeds just popped up directly on top.
Horrendous stuff. And totally counterproductive