Expert: Greg - 10/16/2009

Question
Greg-
My pumpkin patch was a weedy mess 2 years ago so this year I put  several inches of hay on the ground as a weed barrier under the pumpkins. Worked great until the garden started to smell like a wet dog after it rained. I have access to 4'X 4' squares of corrugated cardboard at work that is set aside for recycling. Could I put this down as a weed barrier under the pumpkins. Do you think it would decompose over the winter (I live in Iowa)or cause any issues with my soil?
Thanks,
Jim

Answer
Hello Jim

I see no problem with this, but it could cause a mess. The cardboard could get all soggy and bogged down, and may not till under. If you could Shred this, this would be a better way to do it. Put it down, spread it around like Mulch. Either way, it will not cause an Issue with the Soil, but make sure that there is no writing on the Cardboard, even though most printing is done with a Soy Based Ink in to-days world, you never know if it was Printed in China with a lead based Ink.

Have you ever tried a Product called " Preen?" I know a commercial grower of Mums, and he puts it down one time in the spring, about 2 acres of Mums, and he swears by it. As long as it's not to big of an area, this shouldn't be expensive.


The Best of Luck

    Greg