raised vegetable beds

[green dragon]

is it a good idea to line the bed with thick black polythene to prevent weeds from appearing? if so should we put some holes in for drainage? Many thanks.

[shylock73]

Unless you want a pond for aquatic plants I would.

[woofgang]

if you want to line it there is some stuff called....nope can't remember it is water permeable membrane (looks like black really tough j cloth, lets water through without letting things grow through it, you can use it as a barrier against weeds...although they will seed into the soil and unless you are using sterilised topsoil, any bits of weed root or seed will shoot again. More usually it is used inder gravel paths and laid on top of soil under mulch, you cut a hole where you want a plant and plant through it

[woofgang]

here's the stuff, b anq q had it last year as well
http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Shopping/Weed Membrane.htm

[Twenty20]

If youre going to use fabric to stop weeds appearing then you'll also stop your plants from growing. This type of weed fabric is usually used under gravel or bark chippings to help stop weeds appearing.

[gucciman]

yeah and its going to make planting your vegs really hard and digging them up even harder, the best thing you could do is a good thick mulch and then dig up any weeds that emerge with a hoe.

[Lonnie]

I use the stuff, but only for my leafbeet spinach, its a good idea, just not for root vegetables.
lay it over the area, peg it down, the cut holes where you are going to plant,

I use the same sheet year after year.