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Should a weed suppressant membrane be used on a rose bed?

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  • 26-04-2009 11:17am
    #1
    Yorky
    Registered Users Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭


    Should this be used on a rose bed with a compost mulch on top?

    I thought it would allow the compost nutrients to seep down through the membrane while preventing weeds but perhaps it's acting as a barrier to the nutrients reaching the soil.

    Any replies would be appreciated.


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    #2
    wewantchilly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 58 ✭✭wewantchilly


    Yorky wrote: »
    Should this be used on a rose bed with a compost mulch on top?

    I thought it would allow the compost nutrients to seep down through the membrane while preventing weeds but perhaps it's acting as a barrier to the nutrients reaching the soil.

    Any replies would be appreciated.

    if water can penetrate the membrane, then the nutrients can penetrate it as they will only travel as a leachate from the compost, but bear in mind that weed seed will germinate in the compost mulch above the membrane, undoing all your work
    if you want to cover a membrane best to use bark chippings,or a stone mulch, and to feed the roses use a foliar feed that can be absorbed though the leaves.


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    #3
    Overheal
    Registered Users Posts: 82,772 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    wewantchilly wrote: »
    if you want to cover a membrane best to use bark chippings,or a stone mulch, and to feed the roses use a foliar feed that can be absorbed though the leaves.
    Or if you like offthewall engineering-meets-gardening :D you could lay down some permeable/perforated garden hose underneath the membrane and introduce extra water and nutrients to your plants that way.

    The more sane approach would be just to lift the membrane up from around your roses while you hand deliver the compost nutrients to the base of each plant. Then pin it back down once youre done with a stake or a stone.


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