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Garner, NC

If the GWG paid out for the grower with the biggest weed problem, I would win hands down. Last year about August the weeds came out of nowhere and just took me over. This year my plan was to be one step ahead a the weeds, but as of now I have no clue on my plan.

I thought of landscape fabric, and cover with muclh or sand, then the carpet idea, then the ground covering nurserys use, then I thought of some pre-emergence, and now I am thinking about pinestraw. Will pinestraw last the entite season and will the PH change due to the pine needles.

Anybody ever use pinestraw? or any suggestions on a fairly inexpensive way to keep the weeds down?

Todd (2010 Master Weed Grower)

3/11/2011 11:31:41 AM

Watervalley Ms

Hi Todd,i thank the pine straw will change your ph.

3/11/2011 9:05:18 PM

Watervalley Ms

May be able to use leaves just not oak.

3/11/2011 9:15:56 PM

Southeast Texas

im gonna use rice hulls

3/11/2011 9:25:13 PM

Muddy Waters

Compost works great,leaves are ok,I dont think it would hurt your Ph in till following season,My Ph needs to come down anyhow.

3/11/2011 9:53:02 PM

Glosta

Due to the waxy coating on pine needles their break down is extremely slow. They will not dramatically change your ph unless used for several years. I know because I had a massive pine tree and I thought my grass wouldn't grow because of ph issues. I tested and ph was fine. My agricultural extension office said it was shade and the pine needles acting as a mulch. so if it won't let grass grow I bet it will do real well against weeds.

3/12/2011 12:57:32 AM

Garner, NC

Pinestraw seems to be a cheaper way of keeping the weeds down, plus I was planning on raking it up at the end of season anyway. As long as it doesn't change anything during this growing year. Thanks guy's

3/12/2011 11:37:46 AM

Bowdon, GA

Landscaping cloth works great. The node roots will grow thru it. That is if you get the cheap stuff. It still stops weeds for the season. The expensive plastic type or black plastic doesn't allow node rooting or the soil to breath. You can use bird netting to secure the vines till they start rooting. Or a lite layer of wheat straw. Carpet is bad.

3/13/2011 10:25:29 AM

Bowdon, GA

I tried wood chips from a tub grinder one year. Pig weed and nut sedge would grow right thru it, No matter how thick I put it. I think if it is a real serious problem, and if your like me HATE pulling weeds cloth is the way to go.

3/13/2011 10:31:42 AM

Watervalley Ms

WHen using drip irrgation where do you put it on top or below the cloth?

3/26/2011 2:31:28 PM

sevierville, Tn

If the water goes thru the cloth, it wouldn't make much of a difference.

3/28/2011 2:38:05 PM

Bowdon, GA

I don't guess it does. I ussually go under.

3/28/2011 8:07:13 PM

Watervalley Ms

The water does go thru the cloth but very slow, it spreads the water out on top of the cloth and weeps thru. Thanks Jerry

4/1/2011 8:18:29 AM