Say Goodbye To Weed Killer & Meet The Eco-Friendly Alternative You Already Have

Trying to create a new garden bed or reclaim a section of border that has been completely taken over by weeds can be a challenge. Using conventional weed killers may take care of those unsightly upcroppings, but they can also remain in the soil and potentially damage anything you try to grow there. And that's not even considering the possibility of drift and overspray damaging beloved nearby shrubs and other plants. Luckily, there is a safe and eco-friendly way to deal with weeds without breaking out the spray. Just smother them with cardboard!

If you order a lot of packages, meal kits, or anything else, you likely have more cardboard than you know what to do with, and perhaps even more than can fit in your recycling bin. Luckily, this ubiquitous material is a huge help in the garden, since it does eventually break down. First, though, it creates a barrier that prevents weeds and other unwanted plants from getting the necessary sunlight. Sometimes referred to as sheet mulching, this simple but elegant solution can be used in between existing plants, and when the cardboard is covered with mulch, you won't even notice the old Amazon boxes. If you still have any boxes left after you finish your sheet mulching project, consider planting right into a cardboard box. This method works great for potatoes!

Once you've purchased a type of mulch that won't make your garden look outdated and collected the boxes for your sheet mulching project, begin by breaking down the sides of the boxes and flattening out the cardboard. Opt for boxes that don't have too much colorful print on them. Take off any tape, labels, or other non-biodegradable elements that may be on them. Now you're ready to place them around your plants. Let the different pieces overlap, so no light can get through. Use scissors, if necessary, to cut the cardboard to the right shape around existing plants.

Once your cardboard is placed, soak it with water to help hold it down. Then, cover with around 3 inches of mulch. With the mulch in place, your garden should look stunning, with no trace of weeds or cardboard.

There are a few things you'll need to be aware of with your new sheet-mulched garden. The biggest is that until the cardboard breaks down, it could somewhat prevent water from reaching the soil and your plants' roots. Make sure to water directly around your plants, where you haven't put down boxes. If you have any issues with keeping your mulch in place, stones can also be used to help secure everything.