Weed matting is sheeting that can be laid on the ground over soil, with the aim of suppressing weed growth. The matting is supposed to allow air and water through into the soil without hinderance, as it naturally would do without the matting present. This sheeting can be made from plastic or various forms of cloth material.

To me, the good idea behind weed matting-that of saving the time weeding, and using the saved time in a far more ‘exiting’ way is where it stays, as an idea. There are several reasons for this, which are as follows:

• The first is that it just does not work. While it will, in all likelihood prevent weed seeds from germinating from a lack of light, it doesn’t stop others from growing on top of it. This is all because weed seeds will blow in on the wind or be washed in by rain, etc, ready to germinate in the right conditions. At the same time, dust and soil particles are also blown or washed in onto the matting. As we know, weeds can grow in virtually no soil and will happily grow in such a situation. Once they do this, the weeds will happily grow through the weed matting, which defeats the purpose of weed prevention by using weed matting.
• This applies to all weed matting, no matter what it is made of. It all eventually starts to break down. This leads to rips and holes, which allows weeds invade, especially if there are few other plants present. Also, there is the fact that this stuff can be hard to remove as it breaks down, either because there are so many tiny little bits that you can’t get them all, or because there are big pieces stuck around plant roots that can’t come off easily. Both look ugly. Finally, if plastic, or other non-biodegradable option, has been used, why would you want nasty bits of waste littering your garden?
• Even though it apparently lets air and water into the soil underneath, weed matting doesn’t let in enough of either to keep soil conditions healthy. It does not allow organic matter through it either, which is vital for soil fertility and also for all life that lives within the soil-including all plants and their roots, fungi, bacteria and worms amongst others. All this life that exists within the soil gives so many benefits if allowed to behave the way nature intended.

If you still do want to use weed matting in your garden, only keep it down for a shot space of time. If you are re-planting a garden bed, for example, weed matting could be useful if laid for a short time before planting and then removed when you plant your new plants.

To solve the problem of ‘weeds’, it really does come down to consistent, good gardening. The best way to deal with the problem is to be out in your garden as frequently as possible. While out there, take a walk around it and look in your garden beds, pulling out any weeds as you go. If this is done frequently, the weeds will get fewer very time you do it. Also, mulch can be laid-whether this is bark chips or compost, it doesn’t matter. Mulch will help prevent germination while, also providing plenty of organic matter for the soil. You will never fully eliminate weeds, but weeding little and often is the best way to be as weed free as possible. Weeding can be a dull, tedious task, but leaving it too long makes it one hundred time worse!