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Cameron

How many growers use a weed barrier on their whole melon patch to keep the weeds out? Those who have used it, can you give us your thoughts on it's use? Is there something else that you think works better? Your help is gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Phil & Jane

4/5/2013 10:36:10 AM

Garner, NC

I use cheap weed barrier, then apply a layer of pinestraw over top of it. The irragations lines are run under the weed barrier, and it works great for me. it's a little costly, but I don't have to worry about weeds. I know some have used sand, and some have used the nursery grade fabric, but I like the cheap stuff with pinestraw.

4/5/2013 10:49:33 AM

Corryton, TN

Things I've tried: geo-tech fabric, commercial grade landscape cloth, plastic mulch film, cheap black landscape cloth and row covers. DON'T USE ROW COVERS.

geo-tech: very few weed escapees. mosty nutsedge that punched through, difficult to remove.

plastic film: only tried 1 yr with one drip tape like commercial melons. heavy weeds in row middles

Commercial cloth: worked good if covered with something to help block light otherwise weeds sprout underneath and lift it. No rooting through.

cheap stuff: so far my favorite as long as it too is covered. I like sand and I get a LITTLE rooting through. Breaks down in sunlight.

4/5/2013 12:23:15 PM

South East

We tried the cheep cloth with pinestraw on top like Todd did. Worked very good.

4/5/2013 10:50:12 PM

Muddy Waters

For all you Yankess Pine straw is Pine needles.lol I didnt know that 2 years ago and they laughed at me.I know Bill Neptune uses weed barrier and man can he grow a melon.I'm afraid to use it as I discovered last year the moles like to bore under it.So I do use the barrier but not under my plants.I use it in around the permiter of the kin caves.The moles seem to stay under it for the most part.

4/5/2013 11:27:50 PM

Lloydminster/AB

It works well but if you get a little water sitting on it where a vine is, that's it for your vine and the big melon on it. Happened twice to me. I was using that cornstarch based mulch. There's a new one that's perforated I was going to try but my patch is under 3' of snow and it's snowing again right now.

4/6/2013 12:15:50 AM

Bowdon, GA

Cheap cloth, pine straw, drip underneath, castor oil for moles and voles here.

4/6/2013 10:40:25 PM

Ontario

Holloway, do you mean castor beans? which are poison or castor oil? thanks Terry

4/7/2013 9:09:40 AM

Cameron

Thanks all. I wonder if using peat moss on top instead of pine straw would work okay? I have access to lots of this stuff. It looks like we'll be trying the cheap weed barrier for sure this season. Thanks again.

Phil & Jane

4/7/2013 11:57:03 AM

Western PA

I used the 12 foot wide commercial grade fabric last year. I had 3 pcs cut in 20 foot lengths for 3 melons.No weeds to speak of,and water would go through it. When it was new, it seemed like some water would puddle in a few spots. I just poked a hole in the middle of the puddle with my knife and problem solved.
I won't grow melons without it. This stuff is expensive, ($120.00) for the 60 foot that I got, BUT, I should get several years out of it.

I just folded it up and stored it in my garage for the winter.Great stuff in my opinion !!

Not to get off topic here, but a question for you guys that use the pine mulch.
Will that lower your ph ?

4/7/2013 6:51:23 PM

Garner, NC

Phil and Jane, the good thing about pinestraw is the waxy coating the needles have. They do not absorb water like wheat straw or hay will, therfore the chance of rot is less. Peat moss might work, just make sure whatever goes on top will shed water and not get soggy.
zappa, not sure, but i think the straw really doesnt break down during the year, so i i dont think the ph is effected.

4/7/2013 7:24:33 PM

Cameron

Maybe I'll go up to our camp & see if I can get enough pine straw to try it. It certainly can't hurt. Thanks again for all your help.


Phil & Jane

4/8/2013 8:10:46 AM

Bowdon, GA

I think we have corrupted Phil LOL. Hes sayin pinestraw.
Terry, at our local hardware store they have a concentrate, that comes in pellets or a hose end sprayer. It is a fairly common product here. It says the active ingredient is 90% castor oil.

4/10/2013 10:57:04 PM