Cold weather is here and it’s time to prepare for spring planting. But first, Cover Raised Beds with Cardboard in Winter for These Benefits.
This gardening hack is going to be life-changing. Even experts agree that covering raised garden beds with cardboard in winter can actually have a ton of benefits. So, if haven’t done it yet, here is a list of how this will give your garden a boost it needs.
Why Use Cardboard to Cover Raised Beds?
The first, very obvious reason is that they are biodegradable, unlike other ground coverings, so you don’t have to worry about debris hindering your plants’ growth.
Secondly, cardboard is quite inexpensive and is mostly found in every household from online shopping packages!
Third and most importantly, being biodegradable, it can often be added to compost as well. Thus making it even more enriching for your plants!
Benefits of Covering Garden Bed with Cardboard in Winter
1. Getting Rid of Weeds
The very first benefit of using cardboard to cover the unused beds in winter is to smother weeds! Because weeds can grow anywhere and anytime, and before you plan to prep your land for the upcoming season, you need to claim the territory back from weeds.
Once you line the soil of your garden beds completely with cardboard, it prevents the weeds from getting enough sunlight, eventually leading them to die off even before they emerge.
Pro Tip: Before laying down the cardboard, pull out any existing weeds to give your garden beds a cleaner slate and prevent weed seeds from lingering beneath the cardboard.
2. Improves Soil Structure for Spring Planting
When cardboard disintegrates, it helps in improving the soil structure. But that’s not the only way it contributes to better soil. It also attracts worms! As these tiny creatures burrow into the soil while snacking on cardboard, they reduce compaction and oxygenate it.
This allows proper circulation of air and water throughout. Additionally, earthworm “cast” or waste matter creates a fine, crumb layer over the soil that releases nitrogen and phosphorus, aiding in your plant’s growth.
3. Great for Composting
It’ll always be a mystery why most gardeners do not use cardboard in their compost pile even though it is the perfect “brown”! As you would know, when composting, you need “brown” versus “green” materials in the ratio of 30:1 by weight, i.e., 30 parts of carbon per part of nitrogen.
If you don’t seem to have enough “brown” materials like dried leaves, sticks, or paper, feel free to add cardboard. Whether you choose to break it down into smaller pieces or just add compost over cardboard in your garden beds, rest assured your spring garden will benefit either way!
Remember to avoid using waxed or shiny cardboard, as these do not break down easily and may leach harmful chemicals into your soil.
4. Acts as Mulch
Using cardboard to line your garden beds during winter is a foolproof way to retain warmth and moisture in the soil for the upcoming growing season.
So, even if you are not growing anything during the winter, you know your soil will be all prepped and ready even before the last frost of spring!
5. Natural Pest Protection
Cardboard is an unconventional but great, all-natural way to deter pests from feasting on your garden beds. If you have often found your plants being ravaged by the likes of rodents, gophers, and moles, adding a layer of cardboard can be very helpful.
However, you must consider the possibility that these vermin are pretty resilient when it comes to hunting food. So, add a gopher net over your cardboard to keep your garden beds 100% pest-free.
Things to Remember When Using Cardboard for Garden Beds
1. Ensure weighing down the cardboard with rocks, mulch, or compost (a thick layer of about 6 to 8 inches) throughout winter to prevent them from blowing away. Also, water the cardboard for a couple of weeks to kickstart the disintegrating process.
2. Putting cardboard down on garden beds 6 to 8 weeks before planting new seeds works well. However, the earlier you add cardboard, the earlier it will break down and contribute rich, organic matter to the soil. The best time to start lining your garden beds with cardboard is right after the fall harvest.
3. When planting new seeds in the soil over your cardboard, do not worry about removing it at all. Your plants will easily send roots down through the boards.
4. For heavier soils or beds prone to waterlogging, consider poking small holes in the cardboard to improve drainage. This ensures the cardboard doesn’t trap too much water, which can lead to fungal growth.
5. If you have some spare cardboard even after lining all of your garden beds, don’t throw them away! Instead, you can use the rest to line flower beds, walkways, or other areas of your garden that are overgrown with weeds.
6. Last but not least, using good quality cardboard is essential for better plant growth. Look for plain cardboard that is free of ink and plastic tape or a glossy coating; an organic stamp is also a great indicator to check its quality.
Next time you have a surplus of cardboard lying around, line them over your garden beds and enjoy weed-free, beautiful harvests every year!
