Weeding is a relentless garden chore that, if ignored, will only cause more trouble later.
As a result, many people turn to plastic weeding mats to keep their garden under control. But in the latest episode of Better Homes and Gardens, Charlie Albone has strong feelings about why they can do more harm than good. He also shares a simple alternative that costs next to nothing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Charlie Albone says weed mats can harm your garden
- Cardboard boxes are a free, eco-friendly alternative
- Wet cardboard improves soil as it breaks down
- To kill weeds naturally, overlap cardboard, soak it well and cover with mulch.
What is a weed mat?
A weed mat is basically a sheet of plastic you lay over the soil before adding mulch. The idea is that by blocking sunlight, weeds can’t grow.
Why weed mats do more harm than good
Charlie’s reasons for ditching weed mats are pretty straightforward.
“A weed mat is one of my least favourite things in the garden,” says Charlie. “What it does is it suffocates the soil beneath it, and any water that hits it just tends to run off rather than go through it,” he said. “It’s a useless product.”
But the real problem is what happens to the roots of your surrounding plants. If water can’t soak deep into the soil, the roots stay close to the surface instead of growing down into the ground.
“That can be a problem when you go into a drought, or even a quick spell of dry weather,” Charlie says.
A free weed fix: use old cardboard boxes
Instead of buying a plastic sheet to keep weeds under control, Charlie suggests something much easier and usually free: old cardboard boxes.
“These are absolute gold when it comes to getting rid of weeds,” he says. “If you place them down, overlapping them, you’re gonna smother any weeds beneath them.”
The best part? As the cardboard breaks down, it actually helps your soil.
“Unlike a weed mat, wet cardboard still lets water drain through. It won’t starve the soil of oxygen, and as it breaks down, it adds structure to the soil,” says Charlie.
“The key to getting the cardboard to work properly is to give it a really good soak, and try to keep it just a little bit moist. That way, when it does rain, it’s gonna travel all the way through to the plant’s roots.”
How to use cardboard to smother weeds step-by-step
1. Prep and lay cardboard
First, peel off any tape or labels. Flatten your cardboard boxes and lay them over your garden path or any spot where weeds pop up, overlapping the edges by about 10 to 15 cm so no sunlight sneaks through.
2. Soak your cardboard boxes
Grab your garden hose and soak the cardboard until it’s good and damp.
3. Apply a layer of mulch
Then, cover the cardboard with a layer of bark, wood chips, or any organic mulch, about 5 to 7 cm thick.
4. Maintain moisture
Charlie recommends keeping the mulch a bit damp for the first few weeks so rainwater can reach the roots.
Charlie’s 4 summer gardening rules
Skip the weed mat. Cardboard does the job just as well, and it still lets water, air, and nutrients reach your soil.
Keep your raised garden beds topped up. If the soil has settled, add more good-quality soil and compost. More soil means more space for roots, better moisture, and healthier plants.
Plant for your conditions. Put sun-lovers in the sun and save the shade-tolerant ones for the darker corners. Getting the right plant in the right spot makes everything easier.
Prune to let in more light. Keep hedges trimmed so they don’t block out nearby plants. It helps everything in the garden grow better.
