Cardboard is a versatile material that is found in almost every home. Whether from the last shipment or move, the empty boxes are often useless in the basement. But did you know that there are some useful ways to use cardboard in the garden? What it is useful for and how exactly it is used can be found in the following article.
Cardboard in the garden: Useful tips and methods
Most gardeners are looking for environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods to improve their gardens. Empty boxes that can be moved around the home to sort out old items are also a good way to easily fix some garden problems. As a natural material that is biodegradable, they provide the soil with organic nutrients and improve drainage. The empty cardboard boxes can even be used as planters for vegetables, just remember that they will decompose in 3 months and should be reused if the plants are not mature. Find more tips on how to reuse cardboard instead of throwing it away.
Which cardboard is suitable?
Before you use cardboard in the garden, you should make sure that it is biodegradable and ideally comes from the food sector. It is therefore important that the empty boxes are not shiny, printed or coated with wax. Remove all tape and staples, then flatten the boxes.
Fight weeds
One of the best uses of cardboard in the garden is theWeed control. This is done by placing cardboard around the trees and in the beds. The natural material smothers the weeds and ensures that they do not receive sunlight. It is recommended to loosen the soil in advance and lightly moisten the boxes with a garden hose. Then place a 5cm layer of compost or soil on top. You can then plant flower or vegetable seeds in the soil. This barrier should last at least one season before being replaced and is guaranteed to help effectively control the unwanted plants.
This method is best used in the fall to prepare the garden for spring. But if you do this in spring, don't forget to make small holes in the cardboard for the young plants. Check the cardboard layers regularly and replace them as necessary to continue to reap their benefits.
Create a new garden bed
If you want to create a new garden bed in the planting area, there is an easy way to do it. Simply spread the empty boxes on the ground and cover them with a 15cm layer of compost or soil. Your raised bed is already ready for sowing. When the roots of the young plants are properly pushed down, the cardboard begins to decompose naturally and if there were weeds or grass underneath, it is said to have already died. So after one season you have a completely new garden bed.
Tipp:If you want to put young plants in the ground, cut an X in the cardboard.
This method also helps retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
On the compost
Cardboard can also be put in the compost after it is torn into smaller pieces. The carbon-rich pieces help balance the nitrogen content of kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Just be sure to provide good ventilation and moisture to facilitate decomposition and create nutrient-rich compost.
Also read:Use walnut shells in the garden: They are so useful in every organic garden!
Cardboard in the garden: Protect plants from frost
If you are surprised by an unexpected frost and need to act quickly, empty boxes are a great option to save your plants. Remember that you want the cardboard boxes to be slightly wider and taller than the plants, so simply place them upside down over them. Don't forget to remove them the next morning so as not to affect the light supply.
Keep pests away
Cardboard can also be a good solution to protect young plants from pests. Use a toilet roll and cut it lengthwise. Then simply place these around the stem of the plant. This method is not effective on all pests, but it is worth a try.
Sowing containers made from egg cartons or toilet paper rolls
Toilet paper rolls and egg cartons are the perfect size for creating seed growing pots. If you have empty egg cartons on hand, fill them with soil and sow the seeds. For toilet roll, you'll want to make a few cuts on one end, then fold the tabs to form the base.
If the young plants are large and strong, you can plant them directly in the garden beds.
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