▷ Films against weeds: how to choose and not be fooled

To save time and avoid weeding, we use film. But not all weed movie it really saves time, plus with some you can cause not only problems, but also losses. Let’s look at what kind of weed films are used, what their advantages and disadvantages are.

View in Vilnius, northern city: decorative bushes grow without any cover, so constant weeding is necessary. Would cinema help in this case? photo L. Liubertaitė

WHICH PROPERTIES OF WEED FILM ARE IMPORTANT?

In order for the film to fulfill its function, it must be:

Weed barrier;
Water permeable;
Breathable;
Longevity.

Usually we see only the first spot, so it seems that any film, even cardboard or old carpet, protects against weeds. However, if we cover the growing area of the plant with a film, we must guarantee that plant all the necessary conditions. For example, if we want a flexible bush to grow and no weeds to grow around it, we use a film that stops weeds, but it would not prevent the entry of air and moistureneeded for a flexible bushing. This is where the main, often overlooked, threats lurk.

POLYETHYLENE FILM

You can probably find some old cling film in your pantry, but don’t be tempted it is not a good weed fighter.

Polyethylene films are completely unsuitable for protection against parasites. photo L. Liubertaitė

Polyethylene film is not permeable to air or moisture. If you plant plants and surround them with such a film, everything on top will be washed away after the rain, and the roots will suffer from drought.

What’s worse is that over time the polyethylene film rots. When it rots, it opens all avenues not only to moisture and air, but also to weeds. Plus, you’ll end up with lots of little pieces of plastic in your yard or flower garden – did you really want that?

No ecology, just misery. The problem remains unsolved: the plants wither due to the drought; or rot if any water from the film surface has been directed onto them.

CHECKED FABRIC FILM

Black film, woven in perpendicular stripes, is often recommended as a reliable means of weed control. But an attractive price isn’t everything, there are some nuances.

Are all weed wraps really reliable? photo L. Lubertaitė

The strips from which this weed control film is woven are relatively wide, so the water permeability is not very good. Imagine having to «trick» a plant into feeling as if it were growing in nature, watered by rain. If you retain rainwater, the tops of the roots start to rot and the bottom roots don’t get enough water. If you have been running an irrigation system under the film, that «trick» may be quite suitable. But if there is no irrigation system, there is a risk that the roots will not receive enough moisture.

In addition, the spaces between the woven strips are quite flexible, the edges of the film can easily disintegrate, so it is not reliable as a barrier against weeds. Simply leave a small gap and you will see a bell fly through it.

AGRODANGA TESSILE

White or black agrocoat allows air to pass through, which is very important for successful root development. However agrodan characterized by the fact that it absorbs water. This means this humidity may persistand eventually the roots may begin to rot.

Mulch is very elastic and mobile, so it may not provide a stable enough barrier for more aggressive weeds. It is even worse if weeds break through the thin layer and take root in the agricultural covering. Then you will not be able to eradicate the weeds and leave the cultivated plants: when you tear off the film, it will be together with all the plants, good and bad, that will be attached to it.

For this reason it is better to use woven square films and agrocoating only in cases where the barrier is created temporarily and not covered by a layer of mulch. For example, Plaid wrap works well with strawberries: no mulch is placed on the film, weeds do not grow in it, the cover is removed after the season. Such a simple cover one year is enough. And where perennial shrubs and flowers grow, you need to look for a more reliable solution.

SPECIAL TEXTILE FILM AGAINST HERBS

We’re not going to invent a bicycle here – a purpose-built one works better. Special textile films from weeds are intertwined with such complex patterns that you immediately understand – no weeds will grow there. Water passes through, so it doesn’t stay, the roots hate drought, but they don’t get wet either. For example, take a look at the structure of DuPont Plantex films, I photographed the PRO series film:

DuPont Plantex PRO weed control films. photo L. Liubertaitė

And here’s the same movie, only zoomed in even more:

A special textile film against weeds is woven with complex patterns

DuPont Plantex PRO weed films, only this time an even closer view. photo L. Lubertaitė

You can already see with the naked eye that the threads are intertwined and twisted in such a way that weeds will hardly be able to penetrate them. But the water will still flow. Here is that golden balance, in this case perfectly achieved.

The weed film should be flexible but not too soft or too brittle. Some weeds are really powerful, so don’t compromise. The only drawback of these films is the higher price. But if you pay for it, you are sure that you will really save time and not have to do it again. When you decide to buy it (you can find it here), ask to cut as much as you need, it is not necessary to take the whole roll.

Quality films should not disintegrate after a year or two, the edges should not fray easily. If there is a possibility of breaking, weeds will immediately appear there, which you will only eliminate later by tearing them out together with all the film and good plants. so choose the movie responsibly.

FURTHER ADVICE:

If you have already chosen to use film, align it correctly. Every engraving it increases the risk of weeds, so don’t make holes where they aren’t needed.
The most convenientif the area with the film has a clear border, for example, it ends at the edge of the lawn. Separate the edge of the flowerbed or hedge from the lawn with plastic edging (how to do it, see the video). When installing the boards, you will also secure the edges of the weed film.
About the film against weeds spread a layer of mulch. The thinner and drier the mulch layer, the less likely it is that wind-borne weed seeds will establish and germinate on top of the mulch. The thicker the mulch layer, the better the conditions are for the formation of a new layer of soil on top of the film.
Therefore, it is very practical when the owners of the site, when planting a hedge, immediately install it and irrigation systemanti-weed films and plastic panels. Hedge plants are supplied, there is only a layer of dry mulch on top of the film and maintaining such a hedge is a joke.